John Vernou Bouvier III

John Vernou Bouvier III was an American stockbroker and socialite, best known as the father of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Lee Radziwill. A prominent figure in New York City and Long Island society during the early 20th century, his life was marked by financial volatility and a storied family lineage. His persona and the Bouvier family's history were famously chronicled by his niece, author Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale.

Early life and family

He was born in East Hampton, New York, the son of attorney John Vernou Bouvier Jr. and Maude Frances Sergeant. The Bouvier family, of French descent, had established itself as part of the American upper class through law and finance, with a summer estate known as Lasata in East Hampton. His younger brother was William "Bud" Sergeant Bouvier, and his sisters included Edith Bouvier Beale and Maud Bouvier. The family's social standing was cemented through memberships in exclusive institutions like the Knickerbocker Club and the Racquet and Tennis Club.

Education and early career

He attended Phillips Exeter Academy before enrolling at Yale University, where he graduated in 1914. Following his education, he served briefly in the United States Army during World War I. He then embarked on a career in finance, becoming a partner at the Wall Street brokerage firm H. M. Byllesby & Company. Known for his flamboyant style and nickname "Black Jack", he cultivated a reputation as a charismatic and skilled stockbroker, frequenting elite venues such as the Stork Club and El Morocco.

Marriage to Janet Lee

In 1928, he married Janet Norton Lee, the daughter of a successful New York City banker of Irish-American descent. The ceremony was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The couple had two daughters: Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in 1929 and Caroline Lee Bouvier in 1933. The marriage was strained by his infidelity and significant financial losses during the Great Depression, leading to a separation in 1936 and a divorce finalized in 1940 in Reno, Nevada.

Later life and death

Following his divorce, his financial situation remained unstable, and his relationship with his daughters was complicated, though he maintained a close bond with them. He never remarried and continued to live a life centered on New York City social circles. His health declined in the 1950s due to complications from cirrhosis. He died at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City in August 1957 and was interred in the Bouvier family plot at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in East Hampton, New York.

Legacy and descendants

His most enduring legacy is through his famous descendants. His elder daughter, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, became the First Lady of the United States during the Presidency of John F. Kennedy and later married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. His younger daughter, Lee Radziwill, was a noted socialite, interior decorator, and actress. His grandchildren include Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Anthony Radziwill. The Bouvier family narrative, including his life, was popularized in the media and depicted in works like the film *Grey Gardens*. Category:1891 births Category:1957 deaths Category:American stockbrokers Category:People from East Hampton, New York Category:Yale University alumni