Zelda Kaplan Dead: Socialite, 95, Dies In Front Row Of New York Fashion Week (PICTURES)

Zelda

Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 17/02/2012 09:38 Updated: 17/02/2012 09:46

A 95-year-old socialite collapsed and died in the front row of a New York Fashion Week runway show.

Zelda Kaplan was attending designer Joanna Mastroianni’s show on Wednesday when she collapsed in her seat.

Ms Kaplan was carried out of the room by security guards and taken to St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Described by the New York Times as the woman who could out-party even Paris Hilton, Ms Kaplan was revered for her young spirit.

As well as her party reputation, she was known for her philanthropy, and spent much of her 60s and 70s championing women’s rights in Africa, Time magazine said.

In a statement Mastroianni said: “She had such a love of life and believed in living every day to the fullest.”

Designer Richie Rich told the New York Post: “Passing away in the front row was how it was meant to be.

"Zelda loves fashion so she died for fashion. She would have wanted to go out in style. Zelda always said, 'live, live, live and have fun’…I hope the angels are holding her right now.”

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A 95-year-old socialite collapsed and died in the front row of a New York Fashion Week runway show. Zelda Kaplan was attending designer Joanna Mastroianni’s show on Wednesday when she collapsed ...
A 95-year-old socialite collapsed and died in the front row of a New York Fashion Week runway show. Zelda Kaplan was attending designer Joanna Mastroianni’s show on Wednesday when she collapsed ...
 
 
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Southern law girl
Researching my viewpoint....
21:33 on 18/02/2012
This lady no doubt witnessed some very interesting times during her lifetime, one being the social set in New York through latter part of the thirties into the forties. She saw and associated with the likes of the twins Gloria and Thelma Morgan in party mode, apparently they used to party at the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan. Gloria became a Vanderbilt, married Reginald Vanderbilt, was mother to Gloria Vanderbilt, well known fashion designer and artist. Thelma Morgan became Lady Furness and girlfriend to the Duke of Windsor, formerly Edward VIII. I read this in historical papers about life in New York during the early part of the Twentieth Century. No doubt Thelma would have partied in those famous parties at the Long Island mansions, featured in F. Scott Fitzgerald's book The Great Gatsby, but during the years of prohibition.
cantabria
my default position is wrong
00:45 on 19/02/2012
And your point is....
Southern law girl
Researching my viewpoint....
01:02 on 19/02/2012
I thought that was self explanatory, but to further explain, my point was simply to say what a colourful life this lady must have had, and that she no doubt enjoyed life to the full in New York at that time, ie 30's and 40's. I am interested in history from all angles. Huff want comments, I gave comments! Best wishes!
18:05 on 18/02/2012
Died "doing her thing" bless her.
16:54 on 18/02/2012
Fantastic! What a way to go! What an amazing woman! Perhaps sad for her loved ones (if any survive her) but a passing that can and should bring a smile. Fashion to die for indeed! If only we could all choose to go doing just what we love.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Christopher Koulouris
12:17 on 18/02/2012
Once on assignment I had the pleasure of interviewing Zelda. I think the following was the most poignant moment:

What advice would you offer anyone after 95 years:

“To live like today could be your last. You never know when it will be. I am so lucky and blessed if you must know. I have seen and felt so many things and all the people I have met I will never forget them.”

And just like that Ms Zelda Kaplan put down her tea and looked out the window at the passing traffic as I sat there transfixed by her African inspired motif dress.

God bless you Zelda, I will miss you from the bottom of my heart.

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/02/zelda-kaplan-95-year-old-socialite-dies-whilst-sitting-front-row-during-nyc-fashion-week/
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edmurfin
Old man, on Bonus Time:-)
09:09 on 18/02/2012
Glad for her that she went as she lived. Am not quite as old as Zelda but in my eigth decade. When it's my turn, I hope I'm still riding my 750 Moto Guzzi and steaming along on a deserted road, riding into the sunset with throttle wide open and the wind trying to force the crash helmet off me head
21:49 on 17/02/2012
What a way to go! Doing what she loved in the spot light! RIP
21:15 on 17/02/2012
she lived a very long life..fulfilling at that..rip
17:34 on 17/02/2012
Old lady dies, hardly news is it?
Live, live, live and have fun and fight for rights
cantabria
my default position is wrong
00:47 on 19/02/2012
Never heard of her, she didn't have much success with fighting for women's rights in africa.
17:15 on 17/02/2012
maybe the models were too much for her? =P hmm....not exactly the way i'd want to go, in front of heaps of people staring at me... =/ poor lady. hope she is in a better place where she can continue to have fun!
16:42 on 17/02/2012
Classy. well done huff for the photos. You guys know how to make The Sun look respectable.
08:57 on 18/02/2012
No one not even Huff can do that.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Barbara Longstaff
16:05 on 17/02/2012
She certainly lived life to the full and good luck to her - She did it her way. Rest in Peace now Zelda you have earned it.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
klincklanc
Don't mistake activity for achievement.
15:26 on 17/02/2012
I bet most 90 somethings would love to die in a similar way...living life.
14:46 on 17/02/2012
I just clicked on this story with the sub-headline of "Fashion to Die For"... How disrespectful. This woman just died, and deserves some amount of reverence. I don't agree with that at all. Tacky!!!
This comment has been removed.
16:49 on 18/02/2012
Yes, lighten up misery! Offended - who are you to be offended, not your mum? I am quite sure that the lady herself would have found it hilarious and wouldn't have had it any other way!
cantabria
my default position is wrong
00:48 on 19/02/2012
Exactly
14:44 on 17/02/2012
How embarrassing..sort of.
14:35 on 17/02/2012
What a lovely way to go ! Not languishing in a hospital bed or hospice riddled with pain but doing what she enjoyed. Safe journey to the other side xx