Dorothy Rothschild was born on August 22, 1893, into a family of comfortable financial means, with her father and stepmother raising her after her mother's passing. She received an excellent education, which she leveraged to pursue a career, showcasing her intelligence and feminist spirit. Her early poetry and witty remarks continue to resonate today.
In 1917, she joined the staff at Vanity Fair magazine and married Edward Pond Parker II, a union that was marked by her husband's deployment overseas and her subsequent involvement with the Algonquin Hotel's "Round Table". However, their marriage was troubled by his drinking problems, and they eventually divorced in 1928.
The following years were marked by a tumultuous period in New York City, where she worked as a theater reviewer, socialized with her Algonquin friends, and struggled with her own drinking issues. During this time, she published her poetry and short stories, including the acclaimed "Big Blonde", which earned her the national O. Henry Prize in 1929, solidifying her reputation as a serious writer.
In 1933, she married Alan Campbell, a younger man who encouraged her to transition to screenwriting. They became a successful team, credited with writing 15 films, including the Academy Award-nominated "A Star Is Born" (1937). However, their marriage was marked by financial struggles, and they divorced and remarried before Campbell's death in 1963.
Dorothy Parker spent her later years in New York City, plagued by poor health and financial struggles, often relying on friends like Lillian Hellman for support. She passed away alone in her hotel room on June 7, 1967, at the age of 73. Time magazine paid tribute to her with a full-page obituary, and her estate was left in its entirety to Martin Luther King Jr. and the NAACP.
