Mary ('Minnie', née Stevens), Lady Paget
(1853-1919), Heiress and society hostess; wife of Sir Arthur Paget; eldest daughter of Paran and Marietta Stevens of New YorkSitter in 4 portraits
Minnie Stevens came to Europe in 1872, having inherited the fortune of her father, the New York hotelier, Paran Stevens. She turned down numerous marriage proposals, earning the nickname, the 'Great Heiress', until an embarrassing episode in which a would-be suitor retracted his offer after discovering that her dowry was not as large as boasted. Minnie then re-alighted on a previously dashed proposal from Captain Arthur Paget, grandson of the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, whom she married in London in 1878. The Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, gave his seal of approval when he personally visited the bride to offer his best wishes.
Mary ('Minnie', née Stevens), Lady Paget
by José Maria Mora
albumen cabinet card, 1880s
NPG x197479
Mary ('Minnie', née Stevens), Lady Paget as Cleopatra
by John Thomson, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
photogravure, 1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41154
Mary ('Minnie', née Stevens), Lady Paget
by Lafayette
gelatin silver printing-out paper cabinet card, circa 1900
NPG x197478
Mary ('Minnie', née Stevens), Lady Paget
by Alice Hughes
photogravure, published 1909
NPG Ax161375
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Jonathan Alan Graham
13 August 2016, 15:48
Lady Mary Paget, is buried in Putney Vale Cremetery in the family plot within Block D3, along with her in this plot is her two child Louis Paget and Ralph Paget.