5.5K views · 217 reactions | Marion Davies, who lived as William Randolph Hearst's mistress for decades, had a successful film career and even bailed Hearst out of financial trouble. | American Experience | PBS | Facebook

Marion Davies (1897–1961) lived a life of extreme luxury as the mistress and lifelong partner of publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst from roughly 1918 until his death in 1951. Hearst used his immense fortune to promote her film career,, making her one of the highest-paid actresses of her time. They reigned together at the opulent Hearst Castle (San Simeon) and their lavish Santa Monica beach house, hosting Hollywood’s elite. #mariondavies #hearstcastle #hearst #charliechaplin #oldhollywood

Marion Davies, born in 1897, was a pioneering American actress and silent film star whose career flourished from the 1910s through the 1930s. Discovered in vaudeville, she became a leading figure in Hearst’s Cosmopolitan Pictures, starring in hits like When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922) and Little Old New York (1923). Known for her comedic brilliance and magnetic screen presence, Davies captivated audiences while maintaining a private life with William Randolph Hearst, a media magnate. Her leg

"William Randolph Hearst and actress Marion Davies are photographed attending a lavish costume party at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, circa 1933." | History Through Time