Barbara Hutton by Madame Yevonde (1936)

Barbara Hutton by Madame Yevonde, circa 1936 via

Barbara Hutton by Madame Yevonde, circa 1936 via

Barbara Hutton wearing the amazing Romanov Tiara (1961)

Barbara Woolworth Hutton (November 14, 1912 – May 11, 1979) was an American debutante/socialite, heiress and philanthropist. She was dubbed the “Poor Little Rich Girl”, first when she was given a lavish and expensive debutante ball in 1930, amid the Great Depression, and later due to a notoriously troubled private life.

Over the years she personally acquired a magnificent collection of her own which included the spectrum of arts, porcelain, valuable jewelry, including elaborate historic pieces that had once belonged to Marie Antoinette and Empress Eugénie of France, and important pieces by Fabergé and Cartier. 

Her emerald tiara was made by Cartier from the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s emeralds.

Cecil Beaton, Portrait of Barbara Hutton wearing The Romanov Tiara. The Romanov Tiara was created with Romanov emeralds in 1947, Sidi Hosni, Tangier, Morocco, 1961 via

Cecil Beaton, Portrait of Barbara Hutton wearing both the Pasha Diamond Ring and Romanov Tiara. The Romanov Tiara was created with Romanov emeralds in 1947, Sidi Hosni, Tangier, Morocco, 1961 via