THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610240329
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: 57 lines
Pamela Harriman ``is one of the great fascinators of all time,'' said her biographer, Sally Bedell Smith.
To my mind, British-born Pamela Harriman was only an aristocrat who threw parties to raise funds for the Democratic Party.
But no longer after chatting with Harriman's biographer, Sally Bedell Smith. Harriman is a power broker.
``She has gotten to know more powerful men in close relationships than any other character of our time,'' said Smith, a prize-winning journalist who will speak at noon today at the Norfolk Airport Hilton.
``She really swept across the century and, more than anybody I can find, was in a number of arenas where the action was.''
Among her husbands have been Randolph Churchill (son of Sir Winston), whom she married at 19, Broadway producer Leland Hayward, and Averill Harriman, whom she married in 1971. Romances between marriages include affairs with Edward R. Murrow, Aly Khan, and Elie Rothschild.
Smith's book is ``Reflected Glory: The Life of Pamela Churchill Harriman,'' but men she wed and bed could be satellites reflective of her.
Harriman has been extremely adept at understanding what men need in different ways - how to broaden their horizons, connect them with people they should know, get information helpful to their careers, Smith said.
She applies herself diligently to what she does, including her latest job at age 76 as ambassador to France.
``In a somewhat limited role, she uses her convening power and star quality to get people together in informal ways and find what's on their minds, not developing policy but operating effectively as a communicator and a source for what's going on among those in power.
``Everybody assumes that since she was a great femme fatale she was always beautiful,'' Smith said.
``As a young girl she was attractive enough, but she was pudgy and pushy. She did become more beautiful with her lovely skin, red hair, and an alluring manner which has been described as a kind of mating dance.
``She looks at a man in a protective way - an extremely charming set of glances and moves put together to beguile. There's a concentration, a focus on what he is saying and what interests him, an extraordinary cocooning of a man making him feel secure and important.''
In her talk today, as is the case with her book, Smith will focus on the ambitions that drive Harriman not only to tell what she did but especially how and why she did it.
``She is one of the great fascinators of all time,'' said Smith. ``She certainly kept me interested for five years.''
To obtain a reservation for the luncheon, costing $18.50 and sponsored by the Central Business District Association, call 490-7812. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Pamela Harriman " is one of the great fascinators of all time.' said
her biographer Sally Bedell Smith.
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