The Woman Who Knew Everyone

The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington's Most Famous Hostess

By: Meryl Gordon

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

A TOWN & COUNTRY MUST READ BOOK OF 2025

AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH - BIOGRAPHIES & MEMOIR

A deeply researched biography of the socialite, political hostess, activist and United States envoy to Luxembourg, Perle Mesta, from New York Times bestselling author Meryl Gordon.

Perle Mesta was a force to be reckoned with. In her heyday, this wealthy globe-trotting Washington widow was one of the most famous women in America, garnering as much media attention as Eleanor Roosevelt. Renowned for her world-class parties featuring politicians and celebrities, she was very close to three presidents–Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson. Truman named her as the first female envoy to Luxembourg, which inspired the hit musical Call Me Madam, which starred Ethel Merman, ran on Broadway for two years and later became a movie. A pioneering supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, she was a prodigious Democratic fundraiser and rescued Harry Truman’s financially flailing 1948 campaign.

In this intensely researched biography, author Meryl Gordon chronicles Perle’s lavish life and society adventures in Newport, Manhattan and Washington, while highlighting her important, but nearly forgotten contribution to American politics and the feminist movement.

"A lively, well-researched account of a powerful woman." ―Kirkus Reviews

"A reverent ode to an overlooked fixture of midcentury American politics." ―Publishers Weekly

Great story about a woman I knew little about!

Loved her staying engaged to her final days. Very strategic use of the fashion media.

Wonderful story of history and great events

I loved all of it. Such a great story of the behind the scenes events of history.

From A Political Junkie

I was born in 1944 and moved to Northern Virginia in the late 70’s. When I moved there, I became interested in local politics. At the time, I followed national politics— but stuck to the local and state focus. Needless to say, it was fun to learn about how politics was done right across the river from where I was active. Of course, I recognized many of the names and places in this story that made it a wonderful recounting of the lost art of how to compromise.

Th delightful detail

She was presented as she lived and lived and lived and lived and lived lived lived

History I remember

Liked hearing how parties were integral in breaking into politics and even hastening political decisions.