Marjorie Merriweather Post, American icon of elegance and visionary patron of the arts, left an indelible mark on the history of jewelry and art. Heiress to the Post Cereal empire, she devoted her life to collecting historic treasures, including exceptional jewelry from the greatest houses. Her legendary collection of fine jewelry and art is a testament to her refined taste and love of heritage. Discover how this influential woman turned her passion for art into a timeless legacy.
Marjorie Merriweather Post: The story of a woman of influence
Marjorie Merriweather Post was born into a wealthy family in Springfield, Illinois, on March 15, 1887. Sole heiress to the Postum Cereal Company, founded by her father Charles William Post, she inherited the family empire at just 27 years of age after her father’s death in 1914. Under her leadership, the company grew into General Foods Corporation, one of the world’s largest food companies.
Marjorie married four times, a series of unions that reflected her varied ambitions and passions. Her first marriage to Edward Bennett Close, a financier, produced two daughters: Adelaide and Eleanor. Later, she married E.F. Hutton, one of Wall Street’s leading bankers, with whom she had her third daughter, Dina Merrill, who went on to become a famous actress and philanthropist.
Her third marriage to Joseph E. Davies, an American diplomat, marked a decisive turning point in her cultural life. It was during her stay in Moscow, when Davies was U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union, that Marjorie began collecting precious Russian works of art, including objects created by Fabergé. Finally, her fourth marriage to Herbert A. May, a Pittsburgh businessman, ended in divorce, but confirmed her independence and role as a patron of the arts.
In 1927, Marjorie built Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, a sumptuous residence destined to become a presidential winter estate. Inspired by Mediterranean and Spanish architecture, this 126-room property embodies her love of luxury and attention to detail. Mar-a-Lago is adorned with rare materials such as gold panels and antique ceramic tiles. The estate, which she bequeathed to the US government after her death, is now world-famous.
In 1955, Marjorie bought Hillwood in Washington, D.C., and transformed it into a living museum of her collections. She displays her jewelry, Russian and French works of art, and fine European furniture. Hillwood reflects her refined taste and quest for aesthetics, also serving as a showcase for her extensive jewelry, including pieces by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Marcus & Co.
Throughout her life, Marjorie supported philanthropic causes. She funded hospitals and schools, and played a key role in promoting classical music. Her donations to the Red Cross and her support for the military during the world wars underline her altruism.
Marjorie Merriweather Post died on September 12, 1973, at the age of 86, on her Hillwood estate. Her legacy lives on through her collections, cultural contributions and iconic properties. Today, she is celebrated as a visionary, elegant and influential woman, whose cultural imprint remains etched in history.
A life in jewels: The treasures of Marjorie Merriweather Post
Marjorie Merriweather Post’s jewelry collection is a tribute to the history of fine jewelry. A true visionary, she has set out to bring together iconic and historic pieces, from creations by houses such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, to imperial treasures such as the bridal crown of the Romanovs. Each jewel in her collection embodies elegance, sophistication and a passion for excellence, making Marjorie Merriweather Post a key figure in the history of jewelry.
1. Art Deco Pendant/Brooch by Cartier
This brooch pendant, by Cartier, perfectly illustrates the Art Deco style of the 1920s, with a setting of perfectly aligned diamonds in platinum. Marjorie, fascinated by artistic innovation, often chose jewelry that reflected the sophisticated modern aesthetic of the time. This jewel is remarkable not only for its brilliance, but also for its versatility, being worn as a pendant or brooch depending on the occasion.
Pendant/brooch by Cartier c.1928 ©Hillwood Museum
Pendant/brooch by Cartier c.1928 worn by Marjorie Merriweather Post ©Hillwood Museum
2. Art Deco brooch by Cartier
This spectacular Art Deco brooch, created by Cartier around 1914, embodies the elegance and innovation that marked this period. Inspired by the turban ornaments observed by Jacques Cartier on his first trip to India, the brooch offers a harmonious composition of natural pearls, tourmalines, onyx rubies and diamonds.
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3. Brooch by Marcus & Co
Created by Oscar Heyman for Marcus & Co, this brooch is a testament to the elegance of American fine jewelry. The brooch’s innovative design combines sumptuous stones with bold motifs. Marcus & Co, renowned for its original designs, was a frequent choice of Marjorie Merriweather Post, who appreciated the mix of innovation and refinement.
4. Art Deco emerald necklace by Cartier
Among the most dazzling pieces in Marjorie Merriweather Post’s collection is a sumptuous necklace made by Cartier in 1929, featuring Colombian emeralds and diamonds from the famous Muzo mines in Colombia. This choice testifies to Cartier’s refined taste and concern for quality in the selection of precious stones. The stones are set off by an elegant design, characteristic of the Art Deco aesthetic, a perfect balance between sophistication and opulence.
Emerald necklace by Cartier ©GIA/Smithsonian Institute
A portrait of Marjorie Merriweather Post in the 1940s ©Hillwood Museum
5. Necklace by George Headley
Designed by George Headley in 1966, this necklace is a bold, sophisticated creation that reflects the designer’s expertise in the modern interpretation of classic materials. Crafted in platinum, this piece integrates cabochon moonstones, baroque pearls and diamonds, assembled in a balanced, contemporary design. Conceived at a time when minimalism and clean forms dominated design, this necklace illustrates Headley’s ability to highlight the raw beauty of gemstones while maintaining a timelessly elegant style.
Moonstone & pearl necklace by George Headley c.1966 ©Hillwood Museum
Moonstone & pearl necklace by George Headley c.1966 ©Hillwood Museum
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Antique ruby and diamond necklace and earrings, 19th century ©Hillwood Museum
Antique ruby and diamond necklace and earrings, 19th century ©Hillwood Museum
6. The Blue Heart Diamond
The Premier Transvaal Diamond Mining Company purchased the Blue Heart Diamond in 1909. In 1910, the diamond-cutting process began. Paris-based French jeweler Atanik Eknayan was commissioned to cut the Blue Heart. When the rough stone arrived, it weighed 100.5 carats, but once Eknayan had finished, the stone was reduced to its current weight of 30.62 carats. The same year, the gemstone was set as the centerpiece of a necklace. In 1953, Van Cleef & Arpels bought it and placed it in an elegant pendant set with other gemstones, such as a 2.05-carat pink diamond. In 1959, the Blue Heart Diamond passed to Harry Winston, who sold it to Marjorie Merriweather Post. You can also find the full article on this diamond here.
Blue Heart Diamond ©National Museum of Natural History
Blue Heart Diamond ©National Museum of Natural History
7. Marie-Louise's diadem
The Marie-Louise tiara is an iconic piece in Marjorie Merriweather Post’s collection, steeped in French imperial history. Presented by Napoleon Bonaparte to Empress Marie-Louise for their wedding in 1810, it was originally adorned with 79 emeralds, mined in Colombia. The piece was part of an ensemble that also included a necklace, earrings and a comb, several elements of which are now preserved in the Musée du Louvre.
Acquired by Post in the 1950s, this tiara testifies to his interest in history and royal objects. Now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, it remains a timeless icon of imperial elegance and heritage.
The Marie Louise Turquoise and diamond tiara ©Smithsonian Institute
Marjorie Merriweather post wearing the Marie Louise turquoise and diamond tiara
Another part of the original Marie Louise Emerald parure ©Louvre
8. Necklace by Nitot
Created in 1811, this sumptuous jewel was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to celebrate the long-awaited birth of his son, the King of Rome. The necklace was part of a sumptuous gift for his wife, Empress Marie-Louise. After Napoleon’s fall in 1815, the necklace, like other imperial jewels, followed Marie-Louise when she returned to Austria. It remained in her family until it was sold in the 20th century. Throughout its eventful history, this piece changed owners several times until 1960, when Marjorie Merriweather Post, fascinated by objects linked to royal and imperial families, acquired it.
9. The Romanov wedding crown
This bridal crown, adorned with diamonds and pearls, belonged to the Romanov imperial family. A major historical piece, it reflects the splendor of imperial Russia. Marjorie Merriweather Post, fascinated by the history of the Romanovs, acquired this treasure, witness to a grandiose past, preserving it for future generations. Today, the crown is a symbol of Russia’s imperial heritage.
The Romanov nuptial crown ©Hillwood Museum
Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and Prince Wilhelm
Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and Prince Wilhelm
