Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale (1895–1977) was an American socialite and amateur singer, primarily known for her role in the 1975 documentary *Grey Gardens*. From a young age, she harbored ambitions of a career in singing, studying and holding private recitals, but she never achieved professional success. Her most significant work, although unintentional, is her participation in the Maysles brothers' documentary, which portrays her and her daughter, "Little Edie," in their dilapidated East Hampton estate. The film has become a cult classic and constitutes the primary source of her fame. Although she received no formal recognition for her art during her lifetime, Beale gained immense posthumous fame. Her figure has inspired numerous derivative works, including a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical in 2006 and an acclaimed 2009 HBO television film, which have granted her the status of a cultural icon for her unconventional and tragic life.