In the early 1970s, Jackie lived a life divided between two very different worlds. She spent part of her time on the private Greek island of Skorpios, owned by her husband, shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. There, she swam in the Mediterranean Sea and hosted guests on the massive yacht, the Christina. When she was not in Greece, she lived in her apartment in New York City. The marriage provided the security and privacy she craved for her children, Caroline and John. However, the relationship grew strained as Aristotle spent time with his former flame, opera singer Maria Callas.
The Battle with Ron Galella
A paparazzo named Ron Galella stalked Jackie relentlessly throughout the decade. He followed her to restaurants, jumped out from behind bushes, and chased her children to school. He obsessed over capturing her every move. In one dangerous incident, he jumped in front of her while she was riding a bicycle in Central Park. Jackie finally took him to federal court in 1972 to stop the harassment. The judge ruled in her favor, ordering Galella to stay 25 feet away from her and 30 feet away from her children.
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Defining the “Jackie O” Look
During these years, she abandoned the stiff, formal suits of her White House days for a more relaxed style. She wore oversized black sunglasses everywhere she went. These large frames served a practical purpose, allowing her to hide from camera flashes and watch people without them seeing her eyes. She often paired these with black turtlenecks, white jeans, and trench coats. On windy days, she tied silk Hermès scarves around her head. This casual, uniform look became her armor against the public eye.
A Second Widowhood
Aristotle Onassis died in March 1975 in a hospital in Paris. His death left Jackie a widow for the second time at the age of 45. Following his funeral, she entered a bitter financial dispute with his daughter, Christina Onassis. Christina resented Jackie and wanted to limit her share of the fortune. After months of tense legal negotiations, Christina agreed to a settlement of $26 million. With her financial future distinct and secure, Jackie returned to New York permanently to build a life of her own.
The Working Editor
Instead of retiring to a life of leisure, Jackie decided to start a career. In 1975, she accepted a job as a consulting editor at Viking Press. She drove herself to the office, made her own coffee, and sat on the floor to organize photo layouts. She used her connections to acquire books on history, Russian culture, and fashion. When Viking published a fictional novel that insulted the Kennedy family, she resigned immediately. She soon moved to Doubleday, where she continued to work as a respected book editor for the rest of her life.
