Babe Paley Husband: Who was William S. Paley?

Barbara Cushing Mortimer Paley, an influential American magazine editor and socialite, embarked on a significant chapter of her life when she married William S. Paley in 1947.

Their union, lasting until Barbara’s death in 1978, unfolded within the high-society circles of New York, leaving an indelible mark on the narratives of both individuals.

The story of Barbara and William’s connection began in 1946 when she encountered William “Pasha” Paley. At the time, William was estranged from his wife, Dorothy Hart Hearst.

A man of wealth with a keen interest in the arts, William sought acceptance in New York’s vibrant café society. The eventual divorce of William and Dorothy on July 24, 1947, paved the way for William and Barbara to formalize their relationship the following year.

Barbara and William Paley’s marriage brought forth two children who would become integral parts of the Paley legacy. William C. “Bill” Paley, born in 1948, later played a key role in relaunching La Palina, a cigar company originally established by his grandfather, Sam Paley, in 1896.

Bill married Alison Van Metre, the daughter of Albert Van Metre, founder of Van Metre Homes. Kate Cushing Paley, born in 1950, entered the public sphere with her “nondebut” in 1968, shortly after the tragic assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.

Despite the outward façade of glamour and social prominence, Barbara experienced the challenges of her husband’s extramarital affairs, which reportedly took an emotional toll on her and the family.

The scrutiny from the public and media, coupled with the unrealistic standards imposed on her, added layers of complexity to her personal journey.

William S. Paley, renowned as the chief executive who transformed the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) into a broadcasting powerhouse, left an indelible mark on the media landscape. His visionary leadership contributed to CBS becoming one of the foremost radio and television network operations in the United States.

William S. Paley passed away on October 26, 1990, succumbing to kidney failure less than a month after celebrating his 89th birthday. His final resting place is at the Memorial Cemetery of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he was buried next to his beloved wife, Barbara.