Bonnie Bolding Swearingen: Difference between revisions

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'''Bonnie Bolding Swearingen''' (born [[February 22]], [[1933]] in [[Joppa]]; died [[August 2]], [[2020]])
[[File:Bonnie Bolding Swearingen.jpg|right|thumb|Bonnie Bolding Swearingen]]
'''Bonnie Catherine Bolding Swearingen''' (born [[February 22]], [[1933]] in [[Joppa]]; died [[August 2]], [[2020]] in [[Birmingham]]) was an actor, a stockbroker, and a noted philanthropist.


<!-- Sunday, August 2, 2020, Bonnie Bolding Swearingen cherished sister, and revered aunt, passed away at the age of 87. Bonnie was known by all who knew her as a grand Southern lady who spoke her mind and always told you exactly what she was thinking. She was born in Joppa, Alabama on February 22, 1933, the child of Gertha and Orin Thomas Bolding. She entered the Miss Alabama contest four times, wining a scholarship to Birmingham's Howard College (now Samford University) and also a scholarship to the Pasadena Playhouse, where she studied acting after graduating from Howard College in 1955. She left professional acting behind after a brief but highly successful career in movies and television but maintained lifelong relationships with many of the Hollywood elite. Bonnie was married and divorced from John David Manley III of Corpus Christi, Texas and then to Oscar Wyatt Jr. of Houston, Texas. Bonnie then moved to New York City and became a Wall Street stockbroker, one of the very first women to earn a seat on the exchange, where she met John E. Swearingen, an oil Executive with Standard Oil of Indiana, now BP America. John had become CEO of Standard of Indiana in 1960 at the age of 41, a position he excelled at for 23 years. They married in New York City in 1969. Over the years John's job took them all over much of the world, where they met royalty and heads of state including several American Presidents. Sharing time between their homes in Chicago and Palm Springs, Bonnie, the daughter of a Southern itinerant preacher, somehow fit right in with all they met, including the old money and high society around the world. The Swearingen's did a lot of philanthropy work around the country, Samford University being a favorite cause. Large gifts were given to the University's Athletic Department and the Samford University Arts Center was renamed Bonnie Bolding Swearingen Hall in her honor. John E. Swearingen passed away on September 14, 2007. Bonnie leaves behind her little sister and closest friend, Margie Bolding. She was preceded in death by her three other sisters, Nellie Salners, Janie Llewellyn and Mia Stockard. All glamorous, they were collectively and affectionately known as the "Alabama Gabor Sisters". The five sisters were guided and loved though out their lives by their two brothers, Sam Henry Bolding, and Dr. Orin Thomas Bolding Jr., and of course their beloved mother Gertha Bolding, all of whom preceded Bonnie in death. Her nine surviving nephews and nieces will remember Bonnie as, a mentor, a role model, and generous beyond measure.
Bonnie was the fourth of five daughters born to [[Orin Bolding|Orin Thomas]] and [[Gertha Bolding]] of Joppa, who also had two sons. She was blinded in one eye by a thrown pebble as a child. She won the [[Alabama Maid of Cotton]] pageant in [[1953]] and participated in four [[Miss Alabama]] pageants. She earned a scholarship to [[Samford University|Howard College]]. She was active as a drum major, cheerleader and theater performer. She graduated in [[1995]] and completed an acting residency at the Pasadena Playhouse. She landed roles on the television series "Cheyenne", "Have Gun Will Travel", and "Alcoa Theatre", and also performed with Birmingham's [[Town & Gown Theater]].


A private graveside ceremony will be held at Elmwood cemetery in Birmingham and a Celebration of Bonnie's Life will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations be sent to the Bonnie Lee Bolding Charitable Foundation, 2340 S River Road, Suite 311, Des Plaines Illinois 60019.-->
She married petroleum executive John David Manley III of Corpus Christie, Texas in [[1958]], then divorced him and married another oil magnate, Oscar Wyatt Kr of Houston, whom she divorced ten months later. She then moved to New York City and worked as a stockbroker for Shearson, Hammill. She earned a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, but decided against buying it when she learned she would not be the first woman to do so.  She also served on the board of directors of Burlington House and on the advisory board for Bonwit Teller department store.
 
She met Standard Oil of Indiana CEO John Swearingen in [[1969]], who divorced his wife for her. Commentators referred to Bonnie's third marriage as an "oil change". She told the ''New York Times'' that she loved the smell of oil and that it, "should be bottled like perfume."
 
The couple split their time between Chicago and Palm Springs, California. John Swearingen became an increasingle visible spokesman for the petroleum industry during the 1970s energy crisis, and was highly critical of President Jimmy Carter and his newly-formed Department of Energy. He commissioned the 83-story Standard Oil Building in Chicago and traveled around the world with his wife. As a couple, the Swearingens pursued golf outings and big game hunting.
 
Among their many philanthropic activities, Swearingen was especially generous to her alma mater. [[Swearingen Hall]], Samford's arts center, was named in her honor after her husband's death, at [[Brookwood Hospital]], in [[2007]]. She also served on the Fine Arts Department for the U.S. Senate, the Chicago Mayor's Committee for Economic and Cultural Development, and the New York Public Library Diamond Jubilee Committee. She was also active in supporting the YMCA, the Illinois Children's Home & Aid Society, and the Alliance Française in Chicago and on the national and Boys' Clubs board. She was the honorary chair for "[[Gala 75]]" celebrating the 75th anniversary of [[St Vincent's Birmingham|St Vincent's Hospital]].
 
Swearingen died in [[2020]] and is buried at [[Elmwood Cemetery]].
 
==References==
* "Mrs. John Swearingen" (1973) ''[https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0018/91569363.pdf Gala 75]'' program. St Vincent's Hospital
* Cross, Robert (September 14, 1973) "Lady Bonnie". ''Chicago Tribune Magazine'', pp. 24-28
* Mills, Barbara Kleban (November 30, 1981) "Oil Executive John Swearingen Has a Private Energy Source: His Wife Bonnie." ''People''
* "Bonnie Bolding Swearingen" obituary (August 5, 2020) ''Chicago Tribune''
* O'Donnell, Maureen (August 6, 2020) "Bonnie Swearingen, Chicago socialite, charity fundraiser, friend to famous and powerful, dead at 87." ''Chicago Sun-Times''
* Smith, Ashley (August 28, 2020) "Remembering Remarkable Life of Samford’s Friend Bonnie Bolding Swearingen." Samford University School of the Arts
 
==External links==
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0092795/ Bonnie Bolding] at the Internet Movie Database
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swearingen, Bonnie}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:Beauty pageant winners]]
[[Category:Samford alumni]]
[[Category:Actors]]
[[Category:Stockbrokers]]
[[Category:Elmwood burials]]

Latest revision as of 10:40, 21 November 2020

Bonnie Bolding Swearingen

Bonnie Catherine Bolding Swearingen (born February 22, 1933 in Joppa; died August 2, 2020 in Birmingham) was an actor, a stockbroker, and a noted philanthropist.

Bonnie was the fourth of five daughters born to Orin Thomas and Gertha Bolding of Joppa, who also had two sons. She was blinded in one eye by a thrown pebble as a child. She won the Alabama Maid of Cotton pageant in 1953 and participated in four Miss Alabama pageants. She earned a scholarship to Howard College. She was active as a drum major, cheerleader and theater performer. She graduated in 1995 and completed an acting residency at the Pasadena Playhouse. She landed roles on the television series "Cheyenne", "Have Gun Will Travel", and "Alcoa Theatre", and also performed with Birmingham's Town & Gown Theater.

She married petroleum executive John David Manley III of Corpus Christie, Texas in 1958, then divorced him and married another oil magnate, Oscar Wyatt Kr of Houston, whom she divorced ten months later. She then moved to New York City and worked as a stockbroker for Shearson, Hammill. She earned a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, but decided against buying it when she learned she would not be the first woman to do so. She also served on the board of directors of Burlington House and on the advisory board for Bonwit Teller department store.

She met Standard Oil of Indiana CEO John Swearingen in 1969, who divorced his wife for her. Commentators referred to Bonnie's third marriage as an "oil change". She told the New York Times that she loved the smell of oil and that it, "should be bottled like perfume."

The couple split their time between Chicago and Palm Springs, California. John Swearingen became an increasingle visible spokesman for the petroleum industry during the 1970s energy crisis, and was highly critical of President Jimmy Carter and his newly-formed Department of Energy. He commissioned the 83-story Standard Oil Building in Chicago and traveled around the world with his wife. As a couple, the Swearingens pursued golf outings and big game hunting.

Among their many philanthropic activities, Swearingen was especially generous to her alma mater. Swearingen Hall, Samford's arts center, was named in her honor after her husband's death, at Brookwood Hospital, in 2007. She also served on the Fine Arts Department for the U.S. Senate, the Chicago Mayor's Committee for Economic and Cultural Development, and the New York Public Library Diamond Jubilee Committee. She was also active in supporting the YMCA, the Illinois Children's Home & Aid Society, and the Alliance Française in Chicago and on the national and Boys' Clubs board. She was the honorary chair for "Gala 75" celebrating the 75th anniversary of St Vincent's Hospital.

Swearingen died in 2020 and is buried at Elmwood Cemetery.

References

  • "Mrs. John Swearingen" (1973) Gala 75 program. St Vincent's Hospital
  • Cross, Robert (September 14, 1973) "Lady Bonnie". Chicago Tribune Magazine, pp. 24-28
  • Mills, Barbara Kleban (November 30, 1981) "Oil Executive John Swearingen Has a Private Energy Source: His Wife Bonnie." People
  • "Bonnie Bolding Swearingen" obituary (August 5, 2020) Chicago Tribune
  • O'Donnell, Maureen (August 6, 2020) "Bonnie Swearingen, Chicago socialite, charity fundraiser, friend to famous and powerful, dead at 87." Chicago Sun-Times
  • Smith, Ashley (August 28, 2020) "Remembering Remarkable Life of Samford’s Friend Bonnie Bolding Swearingen." Samford University School of the Arts

External links

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