2022 began with the passing of a number of remarkable American icons: Betty White, Andre Leon Talley, Sydney Poitier and Bob Saget. It was a bit of a gaffe that People Magazine went to press with Betty White on the cover celebrating her 100th birthday, but she did not quite make it.
We recently wrote about some remarkable women, although largely unknown, who were still vibrant and engaged at 100. Following up on those portraits and the long and successful life of Betty White, we suggest you read this wonderful profile in the New York Times about Francois Gilot on the occasion of her 100th birthday. She is not only a prolific painter and writer but was married to Picasso, the mother of his two children, Claude and Paloma, and the only woman to leave him:
I had the privilege of being at a dinner with her when she was then in her 70s. She was delicately petite with the unique carriage and elegance that only French women have. She was stunningly beautiful and engaging as guests took the opportunity to speak with her during pre-dinner cocktails.
As we were led in to dinner, she approached me, introduced herself, and said she would like to know more about me. What do I say to this woman who has lived this extraordinary life in Paris with the coterie of Picasso’s pals including Chagall, Matisse and Giacometti? What do I say to this woman – “Hello, I am a struggling single parent working in television in New England with absolutely no social life”. What I somehow managed to say was that I had read her book . “ Life with Picasso” and applauded her courage for being able to walk away from him. She smiled grabbed my arm and said “Thank you, my dear, but I want you to remember that you are very beautiful and do not let a man control your destiny.”
Holy Cow!! She actually said that after all that she had seen and done, this remarkable woman had learned an amazing lesson about being her own person and shared that with me.
The portrait is worth reading and perhaps it would be interesting to reread “Life with Picasso”. Published in 1964, Francois reveals much more than was shared and talked about in the 60s.
In that regard, her book could have been written now. We congratulate her on her 100th birthday and thank her for her courage, beauty, and joie de vivre.
For those of us who are of a certain age, let us follow Francois’s path. We can walk into a room of younger women and be able to impart words that resonate, that offer wisdom borne from experience. 2022 may be the perfect opportunity for us to support the next generation by sharing the lessons we have learned. Francois Gilot’s words have stayed with me through these many years. Consider taking the opportunity to do the same.
Ciao
Lucy and Claudia