Who is Clare Boothe Luce?

Clare Boothe Luce (1903–1987) was an American playwright, journalist, politician, and diplomat known for her sharp wit and trailblazing career across multiple fields. Born Ann Clare Boothe in New York City, she was raised in a creative and politically engaged household. She began her career as a writer and editor for Vogue and Vanity Fair, where her incisive style and social insight gained recognition.

Luce made a significant mark on the American theatre with her 1936 play The Women, a satirical comedy about the lives and rivalries of high-society women in New York. Notable for its all-female cast, the play explored themes of gossip, betrayal, and female solidarity with biting humor and clever dialogue. It became an immediate hit on Broadway, running for over two years and later inspiring multiple film adaptations, including George Cukor’s 1939 classic.

Following the success of The Women, Luce continued to write plays but eventually turned her attention to politics. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1942, becoming one of the few women in Congress at the time. Later, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy from 1953 to 1956 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, becoming the first American woman to hold such a prestigious diplomatic post.

Luce’s life was marked by her ability to navigate and succeed in both creative and political spheres, leaving a lasting legacy in American culture and public service.