Gold Digger: The Outrageous Life and Times of Peggy Hopkins Joyce

by Constance Rosenblum

Book Overview

A sparkling biography of the original blonde whom gentlemen preferred, a woman who made a career of marrying millionaires and became the first tabloid celebrity. One of America's most talked about personalities during the Jazz Age, Peggy Hopkins Joyce was the quintessential gold digger, the real-life Lorelei Lee. Married six times, to several millionaires and even a count, Joyce had no discernible talent except self-promotion. A barber's daughter...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805050892
• ISBN13: 9780805050899
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Metropolitan Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Guilty Pleasure

Does the name Peggy Hopkins Joyce sound familiar? Probably not, if you're younger than 85. Peggy had minor roles in Ziegfeld's Follies, Broadway plays and various movies, but she was most known for her 6 marriages and the indiscreet affairs she enjoyed through the Roaring Twenties. This is yet another book that starts at the end, with the subject's funeral. I'll burn the next bio that does that! The introduction was mostly gratuitous, with information that could easily have been inserted into the narrative. The one interesting exception was the author's acquisition of a carton that contained Peggy's papers, which included hundreds of articles about her, correspondence from friends, strangers, lovers, potential suitors and businesses, and various notes and items. Peggy learned early that her pretty face, slender figure and nice legs could attract jewelry, fancy clothes, and a luxurious lifestyle, though she'd have to put out to collect. Fortunately, she enjoyed sex. Her numerous affairs were initially scancalous, as the U. S. had still not shaken the combined cultural and legal influences of the Victorian era and the Comstock laws. The resulting media coverage made her one of the most famous women of her time. While she sometimes stretched the truth to exploit her publicity, she was usually frank when discussing her motives. "I'm wondering if I am really mercenary," she admitted. "Perhaps I am, but it is better to be mercenary than miserable." Peggy's timing was impeccable. In 1919, the Illustrated Daily News (soon shortened to Daily News) was founded, inaugurating the tabloid press that covered celebrities exclusively. Peggy cultivated publicity, and became famous for being famous; she didn't even need a press agent. Reporters loved to see her, and since she was usually able to toss off a controversial quote, she was considered good copy. The author contends that Peggy should be remembered as the first media celebrity. She writes of Peggy's effects on the average American: "While the bored and restless housewife reading of Peggy's capers pursed her lips in disapproval, the gesture was tinged with longing. How thrilling to actually be Peggy Joyce, she couldn't have helped but imagine. There in her spartan kitchen or her shabby living room, she must have tried to picture herself slipping yet another string of pearls around her neck or awaiting the arrival of yet another Continental charmer. What woman wouldn't have adored wearing the tiara with the two hundred diamonds, settling that Russian sable around her shoulders, or listening to princes whisper candied words in her ear? As for male readers, of course they all prayed devoutly they would never end up in the clutches of such a vixen, but wasn't she a dish with that slinky figure and that knowing smile, and my God didn't she sound like a pistol in bed? What man inside the courtroom and out didn't undress her with his eyes?" I'd have succumbed, too. This isn't

Peggy is Fabulous

The front cover alone and and title of the book caught my attention and made me want to read the book about a person I'd never even heard of before, which is unusual for me as I tend to only ready bios of mainstream movie stars.From the minute I started reading the book, I fell in love with Peggy and her life, the book is amazingly well written and includes small parts from Peggy's own memoirs which made me feel like I was getting to know Peggy as a person and not just reading about her.I loved the book, it inspired me enormously and I would now buy anything I could find on Peggy, although sadly I have been able to find no other books on her.I have no hesitation in recommending this book and am amazed to read the negative comments from other readers.I love you Peggy!!!

A wonderful and delightful biography of a wickedly fun girl

I was utterly shocked to read the mediocre reviews of this book. From the minute I picked it up, I was unable to put it down until I had read every single page. Although Peggy was not the most profound character in history, her story is exciting and captivating, as well as entertaining, showing how a "nothing" girl can rise to be a somebody. The writer portrays Peggy's story beautifully, with incredibly meticulous research, even though there was obviously little to start with. This is a delicious book, which readers will simply devour.

Material girl does it her way

Apparently Peggy Hopkins Joyce was a wild babe in her day with alot of juicy stories surroundng her escapades, however this book reads rather flat. The facts of Joyce's life may be there but the author has chosen a writing style that really does not bring her subject to full life. I found the book a page turner only because I was anticipating "dishy" descripton somewhere only to reach the last page thinking "is that it?" It may be that after all Constance Rosenblum didn't find much about Joyce to admire and saw her ultimately as a manufactured media phenomenon of her day. So be it, the book is worth reading if you have had any curiosity about Peggy Hopkins Joyce, the original "material girl."

Constance Rosenblum's Gold Digger is mesmerizing.

Ever since the mail man delivered Constance Rosanblum's Gold Digger to us, I was unable to put the book down. Gold Digger is about the life of one of America's self-made, female millionaires at the turn of the 20th century. Lacking class, pedigree, education or talents, the heroine, Peggy Hopkins Joyce, turned herself into a millionaire by marrying millionaires. She was almost 100 years ahead of our times-and succeeded again and again when many of our contemporaries have failed to do so on television. Peggy Joyce was a fascinating character. According to the author, she skillfully manipulated the budding but increasingly powerful media empire to follow her every outrageous moves and whims. Rosanblum's writing brings Peggy Joyce, her spirit, and the spirit of her times alive. Commenting on the rise of newspapers and the psyche of their readers in the 1910's and 20s, Connie writes (page 81): "The swelling audiences for these new papers included both Americans who had not gone past grade school and millions of immigrants struggling with the complexities of English; in recognition, the papers offered news that was simple, dramatic, and most of all fun to read. They did not dwell on the subtleties of foreign policy or the intricacies of political debate. Instead, they concentrated on the verities of human existence-love, hate, life, and death, the gorier the better. They cared not about abstractions but about the grit and glitter of real life-the sexy blonde, the pool of blood, the staccato of the gunman's bullets." I was mesmerized. The book reads like an extended, captivating obituary by a passionate writer who tells us what determination can do to anyone who has it, the fluidity of human morals, the triumphs of a woman in a world dominated by men, and the rise of the ever dominating America media. Rosenblum's Gold Digger made me feel like I was viewing an episode of "American Masters" on TV. The book is a welcome distraction from a neurotic daily life. I learned a little more about modern American history; and I understand a little more about how hard it is to pass judgment on people and events.