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Day 5, where we meet Doris Duke.

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Fourth morning in Newport, Rhode Island…. fourth balcony selfie.

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I’m nothing if not consistent.

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First stop of the day? Rough Point… heiress and famous philanthropist Doris Duke’s residence.

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Built by a Vanderbilt in 1887 and purchased by Doris’s father, James Buchanan Duke (of Duke energy and Duke University fame) in 1922… this plaque recognizes the original owners.

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Ironically, considering they were pushed off the land along with all the other Eastern tribes.

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Doris Duke’s father died when she was 12 and she was the sole inheritor of his fortune. She grew up here, spent summers for many years, and then lived here year round, off and on until her death in 1993.

Doris was quite a character. Deemed the richest little girl in the world, her life was full of privilege but laced with sadness.

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Entering the home, some history.

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Doris inherited $80 million dollars in 1925.

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A shrewd business woman, she gave away over $400 million in her lifetime.

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A news correspondent, a jazz pianist and the first non Hawaiian woman to take up competitive surfing…Doris lived a full life.

Her “cottage” is a bit different from others we’ve visited.

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Yes, it’s huge.

And grand.

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But it’s also a veritable museum.

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Oh, there’s a Van Dyck.

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There’s a Gainsborough…

And sure, there’s a Renoir in the bedroom.

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But Doris lived here until the early 1990’s, so there’s also a microwave in the kitchen and a record player in the dining room.

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The solarium?

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Had some stellar views.

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And…

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Yes, Doris had two pet camels.

As one does.

Doris loved music, and entertaining.

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The Yellow Room…

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And the Music Room hosted impromptu performances by friends Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra.

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Doris knew how to throw a party.

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22 thoughts on “Day 5, where we meet Doris Duke.”

  4. I love the history behind Doris Duke, she was one of the good cookies I think. But I thought Barbara Hutton was the richest little girl in history? Anyway, she had some good taste that Doris did, her art collection is just enough to make you go wow but not too much to say it’s gaudy. Of course she had two pet camels…lol.

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