Perle Mesta: A legend in Washington's social scene

Meryl Gordon’s biography uncovers the life of Perle Mesta, a socialite whose influence spanned from the 1930s to the 1970s, shaping Washington’s political landscape.

American socialite and former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Perle Mesta (née Skirvin, 1889–1975) smiles during an interview at a party at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on September 16, 1959. Photo by Marion S. Trikosko/Getty Images

By Adelina Indah and Hayu Andini

The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington’s Most Famous Hostess, by Meryl Gordon

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Washington, D.C., has long been a city of influential socialites, but few left a mark as indelible as Perle Mesta. Known for her charisma and strategic connections, Mesta became the quintessential hostess, wielding her social gatherings to shape politics and diplomacy. Her impact is the subject of The Woman Who Knew Everyone, a compelling biography by author-journalist Meryl Gordon. From the 1930s until her death in 1975, Mesta hosted an array of influential figures, solidifying her position as one of the most recognizable women of her era.

Meryl Gordon’s book paints a vivid picture of Mesta's life, showcasing her powerful network, her rise to prominence, and her role in Washington’s political fabric. Despite fading from public memory in the years since her passing, Mesta’s influence is undeniable. For those familiar with Irving Berlin’s 1950 Broadway musical Call Me Madam, Mesta's spirited persona and her role as U.S. minister to Luxembourg were immortalized in the production. The show’s catchy lyric, referring to the star as “the hostess with the mostes’ on the ball,” encapsulates her larger-than-life presence.

Perle Mesta’s influence extended far beyond the boundaries of social events. She played a key role in connecting political powerbrokers and fostering diplomacy. Her home was the meeting place for presidents, foreign dignitaries, and politicians. From Woodrow Wilson to Richard Nixon, Mesta maintained close friendships with the highest echelons of American politics. Presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and Lyndon Johnson were particularly close to her. Her guest list also included A-listers such as Judy Garland, Wernher von Braun, and various Supreme Court justices.

Born in 1882 in Oklahoma as Pearl Skirvin, Mesta’s early life was marked by privilege. Her father amassed a fortune in oil and real estate, allowing the family to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. In her youth, she changed the spelling of her name to the French "Perle," believing it sounded more sophisticated. She married George Mesta in 1917, a Pittsburgh-based machine-tool magnate. After George's sudden death in 1925, Mesta's life in Washington truly began. She began to understand the power of hosting influential individuals and the political leverage that came with it, as she described in her 1960 memoir.

Initially, Mesta was a Republican, supporting President Calvin Coolidge. However, she switched political allegiance during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, earning her the nickname "two-party Perle." Despite her popularity, she had a tense relationship with John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, who viewed the 80-year-old hostess as a relic of the past. Mesta’s strained relationship with the Kennedys is particularly notable, as Jackie put Mesta on her personal do-not-invite list, contrary to the warm image portrayed on the book’s cover.

Despite this, Mesta’s legacy as a gracious and kind hostess endures. Meryl Gordon’s biography reveals how Mesta treated people of all backgrounds with warmth and respect. Her passion for politics was evident in her dedication to fostering connections and helping shape the political scene. As Gordon notes, Mesta saw herself as a gatekeeper—introducing influential individuals and shaping events at the margins.

Mesta’s rise to celebrity status can also be attributed to her skillful cultivation of relationships with journalists. Many of her parties included members of the press, who regularly wrote favorable articles about her in return. This symbiotic relationship helped cement Mesta’s reputation as one of Washington’s most beloved socialites. Mesta even held an annual event for female reporters, allowing them to mingle with the political elite who often excluded them due to their gender. Meryl Gordon’s research reveals that Mesta’s name appeared in over 98,000 articles between the 1920s and 1975, underscoring her prominence in the media landscape.

However, not all press coverage was positive. Much of the media attention during Mesta’s later years focused on superficial aspects of her life, such as her age and weight. In an era marked by rampant sexism, these aspects were often sensationalized, overshadowing her political influence and social accomplishments.

One of Mesta’s most notable achievements was her appointment by President Truman as U.S. minister to Luxembourg in 1949, a role that functioned as the U.S. ambassador to the small European nation. While intellectuals in the State Department derided her appointment, Mesta was warmly received by the Luxembourgians, who appreciated her efforts to enhance America’s reputation in post-war Europe. As Gordon writes, Mesta’s diplomacy helped restore goodwill in Luxembourg, a country that had been devastated by the war.

Although her role in Luxembourg was diplomatic, Mesta’s most significant contribution may have been her work as an advocate for women’s rights. Throughout her life, she was a passionate supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment and a tireless fundraiser for the Democratic Party. She also wrote a popular column for the New York Herald Tribune and remained deeply committed to her Christian Science beliefs.

By the end of her life, Perle Mesta had become a fixture of national culture, a symbol of the power of social connections and the ability to influence political discourse. In reflecting on her long friendship with President Truman, Mesta recalled his advice to never be afraid to bring together people with differing opinions. Truman famously told her, “Get them together for a party. They’ll be friends before you know it.” This pragmatic approach to diplomacy and reconciliation provides a thought-provoking prescription for today's divisive political climate: the power of bringing people together in fellowship.

Meryl Gordon’s The Woman Who Knew Everyone offers a fascinating look at Perle Mesta’s life and legacy. From her legendary parties to her role as a political influencer and advocate, Mesta’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and the profound impact of personal connections. Her story serves as a reminder of the vital role that social networks, diplomacy, and compassion play in shaping both political landscapes and society at large.

As Mesta’s life demonstrates, political success is not solely determined by policy positions or ideologies. It is often built on relationships and the ability to connect with others. By embracing Mesta’s legacy, we can learn that in an era of polarization, the most effective tool may not be political power, but the power to bring people together over shared experiences.

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