Dorothy Hale (1905 -
October 21,
1938) was an
American socialite and aspiring
actress who committed
suicide by jumping off a building in
New York City. Hale was considered a remarkably beautiful woman with less remarkable talents who was introduced to high-society and luxury living. Her husband's death, followed by several unsuccessful relationships, left her financially dependent on her wealthy friends. Artist
Frida Kahlo created a famous painting based on the incident entitled
The Suicide of Dorothy Hale.
[The Suicide of Dorothy Hale. Frida Kahlo's painting.]
Early life
Hale was born
Dorothy Donovan in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
[Dorothy Hale Obituary. New York Times. October 22, 1938. p.34] In 1919, after attending a
convent and a drama school, Hale left home to pursue a career. Her family hired detectives to find her but she eventually returned when her funds ran out.
With the assistance of friends, she eventually landed a job in the chorus of a
Broadway production of
Lady, Be Good.
While she was studying sculpture in
Paris, she married millionaire stockbroker
Gaillard Thomas, son of the wealthy
gynecologist T. Gaillard Thomas; the brief marriage ended in
divorce.
