Barbara Hutton: The 'Poor Little Rich Girl' Who Married 7 Times and Died With $3,500
$900 million. Seven husbands. $3,500 left.
Key Facts
What Happened
Barbara Woolworth Hutton inherited roughly $900 million (in today's dollars) from her grandfather Frank W. Woolworth, founder of the Woolworth five-and-dime store empire. Orphaned by her mother's suicide at age five and largely ignored by her father, Barbara grew up isolated and emotionally vulnerable despite her staggering wealth. The press nicknamed her 'the Poor Little Rich Girl,' and the label proved tragically prophetic.
Barbara married seven times between 1933 and 1966: Prince Alexis Mdivani (1933-1935), Count Kurt Heinrich Eberhard von Haugwitz-Reventlow (1935-1941), Cary Grant (1942-1945), Prince Igor Troubetzkoy (1947-1951), diplomat Porfirio Rubirosa (1953-1954, lasted 53 days), Baron Gottfried von Cramm (1955-1959), and Prince Pierre Raymond Doan Vinh na Champassak (1964-1966). Several of her husbands were fortune hunters who married her for money and titles.
Each marriage drained her fortune further. Prince Mdivani received a reported $1 million settlement. Porfirio Rubirosa — a notorious Dominican playboy — received gifts including a coffee plantation, polo ponies, and cash worth millions during their 53-day marriage. Barbara's generosity to her husbands was matched only by her extravagant lifestyle: she maintained homes across the globe, collected jewels including the legendary Vladimir Tiara, and spent lavishly on parties and travel.
By the time of her death on May 11, 1979, at age 66, Barbara Hutton's estimated net worth was just $3,500 — a decline of over 99.99% from her inheritance. She died alone in a suite at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, largely forgotten by the society that had once courted her. Her story is the ultimate cautionary tale about wealth and marriage: no fortune is large enough to survive serial exploitation by predatory spouses when combined with emotional vulnerability and a lack of financial protections.
Legal Breakdown: How serial marriages can systematically drain even the greatest fortunes
Prenuptial Agreements and Serial Marriage
Barbara Hutton's story is the strongest possible argument for prenuptial agreements. Had she had enforceable prenups with each husband, her fortune could have been substantially preserved. Modern prenuptial agreements can protect inherited wealth, separate property, and establish clear terms for any future divorce settlement.
Financial Exploitation by Spouses
Several of Barbara's husbands were textbook fortune hunters who targeted her wealth. Modern family law provides some protections against financial exploitation, including fiduciary duties between spouses, dissipation of assets claims, and the ability to trace separate property. However, voluntary gifts during marriage are generally not recoverable.
Emotional Vulnerability and Legal Capacity
Barbara's emotional vulnerability, rooted in childhood trauma, made her susceptible to predatory relationships. Modern estate and family law includes protections for vulnerable adults, including conservatorship, guardianship, and the ability to challenge transactions made under undue influence. Financial advisors and trustees can also serve as gatekeepers against exploitation.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Always use prenuptial agreements to protect inherited wealth, especially in subsequent marriages
- →If you recognize a pattern of financially exploitative relationships, seek therapy before remarrying
- →Appoint a trusted financial advisor or trustee who can provide objective guidance
- →Emotional vulnerability does not mean you deserve to be exploited — but it does mean you need extra protections
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.