Who Is Cole Porter’s Wife, Linda Lee Thomas?

Cole Porter, the famous songwriter, married Linda Lee Thomas, an American socialite. Although Cole was rumored to be gay, the news was never officially confirmed. Linda was a beautiful and renowned hostess in Europe. 

The couple married on December 19, 1919, and went on a honeymoon to the south of France. They lived at 13 rue Monsieur, next door to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and next to Nancy Mitford’s future home, from 1930 to 1939.

 Despite Cole’s sexual orientation, their marriage was considered to be a happy one.

Cole Porter Childrens

Cole and Linda Porter were married for 34 years, and although they never had any children, each other profoundly impacted their lives. 

Sadly, at 70 years old, Linda succumbed to emphysema and passed away in their Waldorf Towers apartment. She left her husband with a life interest in an inheritance valued at more than $15.1 million today.

 Along with that was the vestige of her jewelry collection, which contained a number of pieces from the famous designer Paul Flato. Her body was put to rest in the Porter family plot in Peru, Indiana’s Mount Hope Cemetery. 

As far as great composers are concerned, Cole Porter is easily among the greatest when it comes to love songs for musical comedies: having written countless beautiful hits over his time as an American composer and lyricist.

More about Linda Lee Thomas

Linda Lee Thomas was born into the prestigious Lee family of Virginia. Her father was a banker in Louisville named William Paca Lee, and her mother was Lily Lee (née Hill).

 Linda married Cole Porter at the young age of 17, and they lived a lavish lifestyle with homes in Manhattan, Palm Beach, and Newport. Linda was a wealthy Southern belle and was happy to support Cole, who was a talented songwriter.

 She was fully aware of Cole’s homosexuality and was satisfied to enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle that he offered, including homes in Paris, Hollywood, and New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Towers.

However, Linda grew increasingly dissatisfied with Cole’s affairs, particularly in Hollywood, where he was enamored with the abundance of attractive young men. 

Linda eventually left Hollywood and Cole and moved to France, only returning when Cole was at risk of amputating his legs after a horse-riding accident in 1937. Despite the challenges in their relationship, Linda remained by Cole’s side for the rest of his life.