The third episode of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans introduced us to another key character: Katharine "Kay" Graham. She was handpicked by Truman Capote as the Guest of Honor at his Black and White Ball. Was Kay Graham in the feud between Capote and his Swans? Here's what we know.
Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, so proceed with caution.
Who Was Katharine Graham?
Katharine "Kay" Meyer Graham (played by Marin Ireland) spearheaded their family's newspaper, The Washington Post. She held the role of publisher of the newspaper from 1963 to 1991.
She was in charge of the newspaper when the Watergate scandal broke. This led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Because of her achievements in the journalism industry, Graham earned recognition as the first 20th-century female publisher of a major newspaper in America.
She also held the title of the first woman who was elected to be part of the Associated Press' board.
Despite being born into a wealthy family and inheriting the newspaper, Graham stood her ground. Her memoir, entitled Personal History, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1998.
While visiting Sun Valley, Idaho on July 14, 2001, Graham fell and hit her head. Three days after this accident, she died at the age of 84.
Was Kay Graham in a Feud With the Swans?
Although Graham was named the Guest of Honor at Capote's Black and White Ball, it did not come as a shock to her.
Months before the big party, Capote called Graham to discuss the matter. He said "I think you need cheering up. And I'm going to give you a ball."
This was because Graham's husband, Phil Graham, died by suicide three years prior. As the owner of the newspaper, Graham was left with the job of taking care of the business.
Because of this, we can't help but wonder if Kay Graham was part of a feud with the Swans.
Well, when Graham was announced as the Guest of Honor at the event, three of Capote's Swans waved the snub as if it were nothing.
This is contrary to the earlier footage of the event that showed the three ladies who were anticipating they would get the recognition. After all, Capote had hinted this to them to his party.
But thankfully, they accepted the defeat with style and congratulated Kay Graham nonetheless.
In her memoir, Graham wrote:
“I really was a sort of middle-aged debutante — even a Cinderella, as far as that kind of life was concerned….[Capote] felt he needed a reason for the party, a guest of honor, and I was from a different world, and not in competition with his more glamorous friends."
The recognition as Capote's Guest of Honor, however, changed Graham's reputation immensely. Gerald Clarke, the author behind Capote's biography, wrote:
"She was arguably the most powerful woman in the country, but still largely unknown outside Washington. It would symbolize her emergence from her dead husband's shadow; she would become her own woman before the entire world.''
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