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On March 10, 1903, Ann Clare Boothe was born in New York City. She was born into a family of three; her parents were Anna Clara Synder and William Franklin Boothe. She also had an older brother named David Boothe. Her parents later divorced when Clare was 9 years old. -
During childhood Clare Booth Luce appeared in the Henry B. Harris production The Dummy in 1914 as well in Edison’s silent The Heart of a Waif during 1915 where she had a small role. -
Clare did not attend school until the age of 12, where she then studied at Cathedral School of St. Mary on Long Island. Here is when her academic performance began to show that she had a love for writing.
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In 1919 Clare graduated top of her class at the age of 16 from Miss Mason's school, Tarrytown, NY. Although she did not attend college she later earned multiple honorary degrees recognizing her literary and diplomatic work. -
During her early 20's, Clare Luce started working for Vogue and Vanity fair which helped her become stronger in journaling and many other things.
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Clare Boothe married George Tuttle Brokaw on August 10, 1923. During this marriage they had a daughter together but this marriage later ended in a divorce during 1929. -
On August 22, 1924 George Tuttle Brokaw and Ann Clare Boothe had their daughter Ann Clare Brokaw. Unfortunately her daughter passed away in a car accident during 1944 leaving Claire deeply affected. This event shaped her religious beliefs later in her life. -
7 years after being married Clare divorced Brokaw in 1929, focusing on her career in journalism and later on started to focus in playwriting, which helped her embrace her independence. -
In 1935, Clare married founder of Time Magazine Henry Luce, who encouraged her writing. Together, they became one of America’s well known couples. -
In 1936 The Women opening was a big success. This play became a huge hit this play mocked woman of the wealthy class which made it become a Broadway hit. -
Clare’s second major play was in 1939, Kiss the Boys Goodbye, made fun of Hollywood’s treatment of Southern women and showed her sharp humor and cultural criticism. -
in the 1940's during ww2, Clare traveled overseas for Life magazine as a war reporter, writing vivid details from the front lines that helped shaped her political outlook.
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In 1944 Clare's daughter Ann passed away in a tragic car accident at the age of 19. After this tragedy Clare decided to turn to Christianity leading her to convert to Roman Catholicism. -
Clare converting to roman Catholicism later became a guidance in both her personal and political life. -
Clare Boothe was not only known for her theater roles but she was also well known for her political voice. She was a Republican congresswoman from Connecticut.
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The Cold War and McCarthyism shaped Clare's conservative views. She blamed communism and supported the United States' global administration.
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Clare Boothe Luce became the first woman nominated as U.S. Ambassador to a significant country, Italy. She was honored for diplomacy during a tense Cold War period. -
Although Clare booth did not continue attending college she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree by St. John's University in 1964. -
In 1970, Clare Boothe started to suffer from haring loss and later suffered from a brain tumor. These events caused her to have to end her public life but despite the challenges Claire was facing she would still write in private.
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Clare Boothe Luce received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1983, for her achievements in literature, politics, and diplomacy. -
Clare Boothe Luce died on October 9, 1987, in Washington DC from brain cancer. She left a legacy as a writer, congresswoman, and groundbreaking ambassador. -
Although Clare Boothe passed a long time ago people still continue to honor her. Boothe's work has inspired many and there are also awards and institutions that help continue to honor her name.