Claude Philippe
Philippe is best remembered for founding the April in Paris Ball at the Waldorf Astoria in 1951, which he ran with Elsa Maxwell until his sacking from the hotel in 1959.
The balls were major events in the US socialite calendar, and raised millions of dollars for American and French charities over the 28 years of its existence.
During his career at the Waldorf Astoria it has been estimated that Philippe was responsible for his clients spending $150 million alone on banquets, which led him to be referred to as "one of the truly great men this industry has ever produced" by George Lang.
He had numerous other business interests and investments, and was responsible for building at least three restaurants, a casino, a theater, and an eighteen-hole golf course in Guadeloupe in the 1960s.
[3] In July 1948, Philippe hired Alexis Lichine to buy wines in Europe for the Waldorf Astoria; the two men would become close friends and business partners.
[6] After being changed to October, it often marked the start of the US fall social season; the balls were major events in the socialite calendar, and raised millions of dollars for American and French charities over the 28 years of its existence.
It was staged in the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf for eight years before moving to the Hotel Astor in 1960, the Seventh Regiment Armory in 1961, and other venues.
[8] Raffle tickets cost US$100 per person and offered opulent prizes such as a US$5000 bracelet and other jewels, expensive furs, perfumes and even cars.
After Philippe's death, his wife, Helga, took over planning the gentlemen's dinners, as well as coordinating the wines and greeting the attendees; she was the only woman present at these events.
[19] Philippe had numerous business interests and investments, and was responsible for building at least three restaurants, a casino, a theater, and an eighteen-hole golf course in Guadeloupe in the 1960s.
[22] By 1960, Alexis Lichine and Philippe owned an extensive stretch of beach called Jacks Bay near the East End of Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands.
The French government was interested enough in the project to assist Philippe by providing a desalination plant and a paved road leading to the potential resort.
By the summer of 1970, funds to continue building were exhausted; work stopped on La Belle Creole and Philippe was forced to abandon his project.
Philippe refused to admit failure with La Belle Creole and until his death in 1978, continued to tell friends that his glorious resort would open soon.
[note 1] Philippe was described as being tall, dark and lanky of frame, with an aquiline nose, long bony fingers and an acid tongue.
[28] He was a "strange, extremely creative, intelligent, but a somewhat warped individual"; yet one, according to George Lang, who was "an amazingly generous person" who would frequently invite guests to his country estate at Watch Hill Farm.
