Curves

Curves

From As The Money Burns by Nicki Woodard

October 1, 2025 · 29 min · Episode 132

About this episode

The episode explores the life of heiress Princes Barbara Hutton Mdivani as she navigates her wealth and societal expectations.

A fortune hunter returns with his heiress bride from their honeymoon to collect her inheritance. Has he finally secured his ultimate prize? November 1933, as birthday girl Princes Barbara Hutton Mdivani turns 21, she seems to have it all a prince for a husband and a large fortune all her own and now is a fashion and pop culture icon. But will it be enough? What else could an heiress want? Other people and subjects include: Prince Alexis Mdivani, Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Doris Duke, Cobina Wright, Frankly Hutton, Irene Hutton, “Jeem” James Jimmy Donahue, Aunt Jessie Woolworth Donahue, Woolworth “Woolie” Donahue, Prince Serge Mdivani, Prince David Mdivani, Mary McCormic – formerly Princess Mdivani, “Alfy” Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr., Dorothy “Dottie” Fell, Pola Negri, Elsa Maxwell, James Blakeley, Frank Woolworth, Edna Woolworth Hutton, Prince David – Prince of Wales – future King Edward VIII – future Duke of Windsor, British King George V, British Queen Mary, Mahatma Gandhi, William Waldorf Astor, Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., magician & mind reader Dunninger, Martin Van Buren Morris, Bobby La Branche, Hank Topping, M. Dorland “Larry” Doyles, Jane Bride, John Watts…

People in this episode

Host: Nicki Woodard

Topics covered

  • inheritance
  • heiresses
  • fashion
  • pop culture
  • royalty
  • historical events

Keywords

  • Barbara Hutton
  • Prince Alexis Mdivani
  • 1933
  • fashion icon
  • inheritance

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: “As Thousands Cheer” musical revue, “Hot & Bothered” play

More episodes of As The Money Burns

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the As The Money Burns podcast page.