Pamela Harriman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pamela Harriman
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|---|---|
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| 58th United States Ambassador to France | |
| In office June 30, 1993 – February 5, 1997 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Walter Curley |
| Succeeded by | Felix Rohatyn |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Pamela Beryl Digby
March 20, 1920 Farnborough, Hampshire, England |
| Died | February 5, 1997 (aged 76) Paris, France |
| Resting place | Arden |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Randolph Churchill
(m. 1939; div. 1946)Leland Hayward
(m. 1960; died 1971) |
| Children | Winston |
| Relatives | Edward Digby (father) Edward Digby, 12th Baron Digby (brother) |
Pamela Beryl Harriman (born Pamela Digby; March 20, 1920 – February 5, 1997) was an important English-born American diplomat and political activist. She was known for her work with the Democratic Party and for serving as the US Ambassador to France. She was married three times, including to Randolph Churchill, the son of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and to W. Averell Harriman, a well-known American diplomat.
Contents
About Pamela Harriman
Her Early Life
Pamela Digby was born in Farnborough, England, on March 20, 1920. Her father was Edward Digby, 11th Baron Digby. She grew up on a large farm with her three younger brothers and sisters.
Pamela was taught at home by special teachers. She also went to Downham School. From a young age, she was a very skilled horse rider. She competed in many horse shows, even at famous events like the International Olympia.
When she was 17, Pamela studied in Munich, Germany, for six months. Later, she went to Paris and took some classes at the Sorbonne. She returned to Britain by 1937.
Her Marriages
Pamela Harriman was married three times. Each marriage connected her to important families and helped shape her life.
Marriage to Randolph Churchill
In 1939, Pamela met Randolph Churchill in London. He was the son of Winston Churchill, who later became the Prime Minister of Britain. They got married on October 4, 1939. Their son, Winston, was born soon after. Pamela and her baby were even featured on the cover of Life magazine. They divorced in 1945.
Marriage to Leland Hayward
In 1959, Pamela met Leland Hayward, a successful Broadway producer. He was known for shows like The Sound of Music. They married on May 4, 1960. This marriage brought her to New York City. They lived a very comfortable life until Leland Hayward passed away in 1971.
Marriage to W. Averell Harriman
The day after Leland Hayward's funeral, Pamela met with W. Averell Harriman again. He was a wealthy diplomat and politician. They married on September 27, 1971. This marriage moved her social life to Washington, D.C. Averell Harriman was very involved in the Democratic Party. Through him, Pamela began her own political journey. This marriage lasted until his death in 1986.
Becoming a US Citizen
Pamela became a United States citizen in 1971. After this, she became very active in American politics.
Her Political Work
As Pamela Churchill Harriman, she became a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. She created a special group called "Democrats for the 80s" (later "Democrats for the 90s"). This group helped raise money for the party. In 1980, she was named "Woman of the Year" by the Woman's National Democratic Club.
In 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton chose her to be the United States Ambassador to France. This was a very important job. While she was ambassador, the Dayton Agreement was signed in Paris in 1995. This agreement helped bring peace to the war in Bosnia.
Her Death
Pamela Harriman passed away on February 5, 1997, in Paris, France. The day after she died, the President of France, Jacques Chirac, honored her. He placed the Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur on her coffin. This is a very high honor in France, and she was the first female foreign diplomat to receive it.
President Clinton sent Air Force One to bring her body back to the United States. He also spoke at her funeral in Washington, D.C., praising her public service. Pamela Harriman was buried on February 14, 1997, at Arden in New York.
Images for kids
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Pamela Digby, featured on the cover of Tatler Magazine in 1938.
See also
- Life of the Party: The Biography of Pamela Digby Churchill Hayward Harriman – A book about her life.
