2. Phelan Beale, Big Edie’s Husband, Left Her Destitute For Another Woman
Big Edie’s husband, Phelan Beale, was a partner at her father’s law firm of Bouvier, Caffey, and Beale. While he initially survived the stock market crash of 1929, he eventually lost all of his money during the Great Depression. In addition to the financial stress, Beale was unhappy with Big Edie’s lifestyle. He expected a demure socialite wife who would host parties and tend to the children while Big Edie remained interested in the arts and still wanted to pursue her singing career.
The Beales, despite their increasing poverty, were members of the exclusive Maidstone Club. Big Edie often embarrassed Beale by performing operatic songs in front of fellow club members. Beale eventually left Big Edie, divorcing her in the 1940s. While the financial and gender role stressors played a part, Beale ultimately separated from Big Edie because he started a relationship with a younger woman sometime before the divorce and possibly as early as the 1930s.
Beale gave Big Edie strict instructions not to allow their daughter to learn of their dire financial straits before leaving. He warned of telling her, “She will think we’re at the poorhouse. It will rob all her joy.” Little Edie lost her father and was left unaware of the precarious position of her mother.