Bill Paley And Happy Rockefeller: True Story Or Dramatic Reenactment?
If you are a fan of Ryan Murphy's anthology series Feud, you might be wondering about the scandalous affair between Bill Paley and Happy Rockefeller that was depicted in the second season,"Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" The show follows the story of writer Truman Capote and his friendship with a group of wealthy New York socialites, known as "The Swans", who he later betrayed by exposing their secrets in his unfinished novel Answered Prayers. One of these secrets was the alleged affair between Bill Paley, the chief of CBS network, and Happy Rockefeller, the wife of Vice President Nelson Rockefeller.
Advertisement
Key takeaways:
- The authenticity of the affair between Bill Paley and Happy Rockefeller depicted in "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans" is uncertain, based on Truman Capote's potentially fictionalized accounts in his writings.
- "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," part of Ryan Murphy's anthology series, stars Tom Hollander and Naomi Watts among others, exploring Capote's complex relationships with New York socialites.
- The series blurs the lines between fact and fiction, reflecting Capote's knack for storytelling that leaves audiences pondering the truth behind his controversial tales.
Advertisement
Is The Affair Between Bill Paley and Happy Rockefeller In Feud True?
The short answer is: we don't know for sure whether any of the thing written between Bill Paley and Happy Rockefeller are factual. Swans revealed the shocking Happy Rockefeller and Bill Paley affair. Feud: Capote vs. The Swans fans were shocked by the show’s events which presented an affair between Happy Rockefeller and Bill Paley, the husband of Truman Capote’s close friend. The affair serves as a focal point of the series so far, but for those wondering if this actually happened, Truman Capote’s famous excerpt. Did the Happy and Bill Affair Happen in Real Life? Feud: Capote vs.
The Swans is based on the story of renowned writer Truman Capote, specifically during the time after chapters from his unfinished book Answered Prayers were published in Esquire. One of these chapters is titled La Côte Basque 1965 which tells the story of media mogul Sidney Dillon who has an affair with the wife of New York’s governor. Many believe that Sidney and his wife Cleo Dillon in the story represent Bill and Babe Paley. Thus, Capote’s “exposing” the affair is believed to have caused the rift between him and the Swans.
The show is based on Capote's writings, which are not necessarily factual or reliable. Capote himself admitted that he used fictional names and details to protect his sources and himself from lawsuits. However, he also claimed that he had tapes and notes to back up his stories, which he never revealed.
Advertisement
In 1975, Esquire magazine published a chapter from Capote's unfinished novel "Answered Prayers," titled "La Côte Basque 1965." This piece introduced readers to Sidney Dillon, a character thought to mirror CBS magnate Bill Paley. The narrative unfolds a shocking liaison between Sidney and a governor's wife, highlighted by an unforgettable blood mark—a detail that sparked a lot of guesses. Observers quickly linked the fictional affair to Happy Rockefeller, who had entered into marriage with Nelson Rockefeller in 1963 following mutual divorces. This connection, however, remains guesswork, with no solid proof to confirm an affair between Paley and Rockefeller.
The speculation that Happy Rockefeller was the real-life counterpart to the governor's wife in Capote's story adds layers of mystery and controversy. Despite the public's fascination with this possibility, both Rockefeller and Paley remained silent on the matter, not saying yes or no. Some suggest Capote may have conflated Rockefeller with another of Paley's rumored paramours, or perhaps, the story was a complete fabrication designed to grab and scandalize his audience.
In the absence of concrete evidence or admissions from those involved, the question of whether Bill Paley and Happy Rockefeller shared a secret affair remains unanswered. The speculation surrounding this alleged affair highlights the complex interplay between fact and fiction in Capote's work, highlighting his unique ability to weave narratives that grab, stir up, and leave us questioning the boundaries of truth.
Advertisement
What Is Feud TV Show About? Who Are The Actors In Capote Vs. The Swans?
Feud is a TV show created by Ryan Murphy, who is also known for producing popular shows like American Horror Story, Glee, and The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Feud is an anthology series that explores famous rivalries and conflicts in history and culture. The first season, Feud: Bette and Joan, focused on the feud between actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the making of their film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. The second season, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, premiered in 2024 and starred Tom Hollander as Truman Capote and Naomi Watts as Babe Paley, his closest Swan.
Advertisement
Other actors who played important roles in the second season include:
- Diane Lane as Slim Keith, another Swan who was furious with Capote for betraying her
- Molly Ringwald as Lee Radziwill, Jackie Kennedy's sister and a Swan who was also Capote's muse
- Calista Flockhart as Gloria Guinness, a glamorous Swan who was married to a Guinness heir
- Demi Moore as Marella Agnelli, an Italian Swan who was married to a Fiat tycoon
- Chloë Sevigny as C.Z. Guest, an American Swan who was married to a British aristocrat
- Treat Williams as Bill Paley, Babe's husband and CBS chief
- Rebecca Creskoff as Happy Rockefeller, Nelson's wife and Bill's alleged lover
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans received critical acclaim for its performances, writing, direction, and production design. It also sparked renewed interest in Capote's life and work, as well as the lives of his Swans.
Related Articles
Share this article
Advertisement