Miss Mathilde Townsend

Against a backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, stands a woman in a silver-blue dress.
She smiles gently, lightly holding up her pink train with both hands.

Her name is Mathilde Townsend.
This portrait was commissioned by her in 1907, when she was 22 years old.
It was a birthday gift for her mother, Mary.
Her father, Richard, had passed away in a riding accident in 1901.

The remaining mother and daughter resided in a grand mansion in Washington D.C.
Its upkeep cost $240,000 annually.
Surrounded by immense wealth, Mathilde became renowned as an international beauty.

In 1910, she married Senator Peter Gerry.
It was a national social event, attended by President Taft.
Her wedding dress alone cost $15,000.
It was the pinnacle of a perfect life, envied by all.

However, in 1925, she chose to divorce.
And in the same year, she remarried Sumner Welles.

This decision caused a stir.