Dorothy Schiff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dorothy "Dolly" Schiff
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| Born | March 11, 1903 New York City, US
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| Died | August 30, 1989 (aged 86) New York City, US
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| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Known for | Owner and publisher of the New York Post |
| Spouse(s) | Richard Brown West Hall (1923-Divorce) George Backer Jr. (1932-Divorce) Ted Theodore Olin Thackrey (1943-Divorce) Rudolf Goldschmid Sonneborn (1953-Divorce) |
| Children | 3 |
| Family | Ruth Roman (daughter-in-law) Diana Lynn (daughter-in-law) A. Fredric Leopold (son-in-law) Robert W. Sweet (son-in-law) Werner H. Kramarsky (son-in-law) Dolly Hall (granddaughter) |
Dorothy Schiff (born March 11, 1903 – died August 30, 1989) was an American businesswoman. She was the owner and publisher of the New York Post newspaper for almost 40 years. Dorothy was also the granddaughter of a famous banker named Jacob Schiff. She cared a lot about helping people and was involved in many groups that worked for social change.
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Early Life
Dorothy Schiff was born in New York City, USA. Her family was well-known in banking. Her parents were Mortimer and Adele Schiff. She went to school at the Brearley School in Manhattan. Later, she attended Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. After college, she lived as a young woman from a wealthy family, often attending social events.
A Career in Newspapers
Dorothy Schiff's life changed a lot when she became involved in the newspaper world. She was married four times. Her second marriage to George Backer, a local government official, influenced her political views. She became a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and the New Deal. The New Deal was a series of government programs designed to help people during tough economic times. Dorothy was very interested in social services and helping those in need. She worked with several welfare groups, including the Henry Street Settlement.
Taking Over the New York Post
In 1939, Dorothy Schiff gained control of the New York Post. Her husband, George Backer, encouraged her to do this. He became the newspaper's publisher and president. When he left in 1942, Dorothy took over. This made her New York City's first female newspaper publisher!
After she and Backer divorced in 1943, she married Ted Thackrey. He was the editor of the Post. It was Ted's idea to change the newspaper's size from a large "broadsheet" to a smaller, more compact "tabloid" format.
Leading the Post
Under Dorothy's leadership, the New York Post supported liberal ideas. It championed workers' rights and programs that helped people in society. During the 1940s, the Post featured popular writers like Drew Pearson, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Eric Sevareid. Dorothy also wrote her own column called "Dear Reader." In 1945, she even started a newspaper in Paris called the Paris Post, which was the second American newspaper ever published there. It ran until 1948.
Ted Thackrey left the Post in 1949 after they disagreed about which candidate to support in the 1948 presidential election. Dorothy favored Thomas E. Dewey, while Ted supported Henry A. Wallace. They divorced that same year.
A Big Decision
In 1958, Dorothy caused a stir when she suddenly changed her mind about supporting Governor Averell Harriman. She did not officially support his opponent, Nelson Rockefeller. However, her sudden change, which happened right before the election, helped Rockefeller win and start his political career.
Dorothy Schiff sold the New York Post to Rupert Murdoch in 1976. The sale was for about $31 million. She believed that afternoon newspapers might not do well in the future. Also, new government rules about inheritance might have affected her family's wealth if she hadn't sold the paper then. She stayed on as an advisor until 1981, but she didn't play an active role in the newspaper anymore.
Later Life and Legacy
Dorothy Schiff passed away at her home in New York City on August 30, 1989. Her life story was told in two biographies. The first was Men, Money and Magic: The Story of Dorothy Schiff by Jeffrey Potter, published in 1976. A more complete book, The Lady Upstairs: Dorothy Schiff and the New York Post by Marilyn Nissenson, came out in 2007.
Her Family
Dorothy Schiff had three children. Her daughter, Adele Hall Sweet, was married to Beverly Hills mayor A. Fredric Leopold and federal judge Robert W. Sweet. Her son, Mortimer W. Hall, was married to actresses Ruth Roman and Diana Lynn. Her other daughter, Sarah-Ann Backer, was married to public official and art collector Werner H. Kramarsky. Dorothy's granddaughter, Dolly Hall, is a film producer.
