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Title details for Growing Up Getty by James Reginato - Wait list

Growing Up Getty

The Story of America's Most Unconventional Dynasty

by James Reginato
Kevin R. Free
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An enthralling and comprehensive look into the contemporary state of one of the wealthiest—and most misunderstood—family dynasties in the world, perfect for fans of Succession and House of Gucci.
The Gettys are one of the wealthiest—and most misunderstood—family dynasties. Oil magnate J. Paul Getty, once the richest man in the world, is the patriarch of an extraordinary cast of sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. While some have been brought low by mental illness, drug addiction, and one of the most sensational kidnapping cases of the 20th century, many of Getty's heirs have achieved great success. In addition to Mark Getty, a cofounder of Getty Images, and Anne G. Earhart, an award-winning environmentalist, others have made significant marks in a variety of fields, from music and viniculture to politics and LGBTQ rights.

Now, across four continents, a new generation of lively, unique, and even outrageous Gettys is emerging—and not coasting on the dynasty's still-immense wealth. August Getty designs extravagant gowns worn by Katy Perry, Cher, and other stars; his sibling, Nats—a fellow LGBTQ rights activist who announced his gender transition following his wedding to transgender icon Gigi Gorgeous—produces a line of exclusive streetwear. Their fascinating cousins include Balthazar, a multi-hyphenate actor-director-DJ-designer; and Isabel, a singer-songwriter and MBA candidate. A far-flung yet surprisingly close-knit group, the ascendant Gettys are bringing this iconic family onto the global stage in the 21st century.

Through extensive research, including access to J. Paul Getty's diaries and love letters, and fresh interviews with family members and friends, Growing Up Getty offers an enthralling and revealing look into the benefits and burdens of being part of today's world of the ultra-wealthy.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    July 5, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781797141688
      • File size: 289349 KB
      • Duration: 10:02:48

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      May 2, 2022
      Vanity Fair writer-at-large Reginato (Great Houses, Modern Aristocrats) endeavors to break the so-called Getty Curse with this entertaining chronicle of the illustrious dynasty’s four generations. The saga begins with J. Paul Getty (1892–1976), the family’s Minnesota-born patriarch and a storied oil tycoon and erstwhile richest man in the world. Four of his short-lived marriages gave him five children, and their tragedies (untimely death, addiction, and legal strife) attracted lurid tabloid coverage, turning, Reginato writes, “the Gettys into a poster family for dysfunction.” Despite the earlier generations’ famed foibles, Reginato points out that many Getty heirs have established themselves as public figures in art, music, or philanthropy, including, for example, Mark Getty, cofounder of Getty Images. Though the litany of facts—marriages, births, deaths, mergers—tends to dampen the narrative at times, Reginato’s storytelling is at its most engaging in its cinematic depictions of the family in their element: the Getty patriarch surrounded by priceless antiques in luxurious Sutton Place, Paul Jr. and Talitha Getty smoking up with a carnival of 1960s cultural icons in the Palais de la Zahia, Billy and Vanessa Getty’s glittering Napa Valley wedding. The result offers the approximate pleasure of thumbing through a century of society pages.

    • Library Journal

      June 10, 2024

      Four generations of the Getty family are profiled in this collective biography, which traces the family's history from the founding of Getty Oil to the present day. Patriarch J. Paul Getty made his fortune in petroleum, but he was so notoriously frugal that he installed a pay phone for guests visiting his palatial English estate. Combined with clever business decisions, this allowed him to grow the family fortune into billions. Although some branches of the family tree are more memorable than others, Reginato brings the same level of detail to each family member, highlighting their unique accomplishments and personal dramas. Avoiding sensationalism, Reginato employs a journalistic tone with even the most notorious episodes in the family's history. The youngest generation of Gettys is deeply involved in the arts and includes an actor (Balthazar), a fashion designer (August), a model and trans activist (Nats), and a social media influencer (Ivy). Kevin R. Free's engaging narration conveys the family's story with a mix of gravitas and gossip--at times it feels like he's leaning in to impart a particularly juicy tidbit. VERDICT A captivating, if occasionally overawed, portrait of extraordinary wealth across multiple generations. Suggest to listeners who enjoyed Anderson Cooper's Vanderbilt.--Nanette Donohue

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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