Patricia Altschul Has a New Book
Patricia Altschul's new book The Art of Southern Charm is filled with etiquette rules, dating advice, and style tips, and plenty of stories about her fascinating life. Here are 10 of the most interesting and surprising facts we learned about the breakout star of Southern Charm from the memoir/guide-to-life, which will be released on April 18.
Her grandfather fought in the Civil War.
"During the Civil War my paternal grandfather, Frank Edgar Dey, enlisted as a private in the Confederate Army when he was 16 years old and moved up in the ranks to become a brigadier general. He was captured four times, including at the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863, and was wounded while fighting against General Sherman at New Hope."
She married her first husband three months after meeting him.
"One night, at a party in Washington, a friend introduced me to Lon Smith, a good-looking, mature (well, five years older than me) man, who was the head of Dun & Bradstreet, a very important job for someone 25 years old. It was pretty close to love at first sight, because three months later we were married. When you’re Southern and in your twenties, marriage is a top priority. My mother asked if I wanted a big wedding or a check, and I gave the right answer. I had been a bridesmaid at so many weddings that I was happy to do mine differently. We had a small ceremony, attended by our immediate families, and the blushing bride wore a short peach dress and a hat with a veil."
Patricia has a degree in Art History and taught the subject at George Washington University.
"I received my master’s degree from George Washington University in 1966. I also started teaching art appreciation and a survey of Western art at GW, first as an instructor, then as an assistant professor."
[related id='9c3c507e-c43f-4fb6-9223-45cf6863ec64' align='center'][/related]
She hired her butler Michael after the grand dame, for whom he had previously worked, passed away.
"Mario Buatta whispered in my ear that Mrs. Lillian Bostwick, a classic grande dame who maintained a huge estate in Old Westbury, New York, had passed away and that one of her prized employees would be on the job market. But not for long, he warned. Michael Kelcourse, Mrs. Bostwick’s formidable butler, would be snapped up as soon as word got out that he was available. Desperate socialites were already circling the wagons. I followed Mario’s advice and moved with indecent speed. I met with Michael immediately and persuaded him to come work for me, even as he was finishing his responsibilities in the Bostwick household."
Pimento cheese and Krispy Kreme donuts are two of her favorite foods.
"I consider fried chicken, pimento cheese, ham and biscuits, Krispy Kreme donuts, and candy corn to be in a food group all their own - and I will never give them up."
Patricia bought a pink alligator Hermès Birkin bag but has never used it.
"I bought a bubble-gum-pink, one-of-a-kind, alligator Birkin bag strictly as an investment, because Birkin bags are bought and traded as commodities. I have never worn, nor carried it, anywhere. It sits pristine in its original box, waiting to be sold for a nice profit."
A Chopard pen is always in her handbag.
"I’m a traditionalist; I use a Chopard pen. When I’m out of the house, I always use my own pen when I sign a receipt because a million people have touched the pen they hand to you."
She reads five newspapers every day.
I read five newspapers a day: the New York Times, the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and the Post-Courier. I don’t read everything in all of them, but by the time I finish, I feel well-informed. I even read the National Enquirer because I think that pop culture says a lot about our country and our values."
Muguet by Guerlain is her favorite fragrance.
"I confess that I wear only one perfume: Muguet by Guerlain, which is a light, floral fragrance infused with lily of the valley."
Patricia has strategies to deal with stragglers at her parties.
"I have several foolproof ways of dealing with pesky stragglers. First, I turn off the music. Then I walk around the room with a candle snuffer in hand, gradually extinguishing the candles. The picture lights are next - I turn them off one by one. Finally, I start picking up the glasses - even the ones that people are still drinking. Once the room is dark and the alcohol has stopped flowing, most guests get the message (how observant!) and say goodnight. But there’s always someone who foolishly believes you want the party to go on all night. That’s when I say, “Do you need me to call you an Uber?” Or, “Can I walk you to your car?"
Southern Charm airs Mondays at 9PM on Bravo.
[related id='9edba05f-7316-4c10-9530-6fa467870c3a' align='center'][/related][related id='8e4a5f5c-7297-4ec3-abcd-99ee0a6e706d' align='center'][/related]
You Might Also Like
