How Jackie Kennedy’s Cousins Became America’s Most Famous Recluses

To supplement their dwindling income, the Beales occasionally rented rooms at Grey Gardens to eccentric boarders. These guests often came and went without paying, leaving behind little more than clutter and strange stories. The arrangement was never formal, more a favor than a transaction, yet it added to the house’s unpredictable atmosphere.

Boarders might find themselves eating with raccoons on the porch or listening to Big Edie sing late into the night. While the idea of strangers living among the chaos would deter most landlords, for the Beales, it was simply another way to keep their beloved home occupied.