February 29, 2020

"As mayor, he famously chose not to live in Gracie Mansion, preferring the comforts of his 79th Street compound, though not everyone is impressed by his old-world décor..."

"'The first time I went to Mike’s house, I was surprised to find the décor very much like a child’s idea of what a rich man’s house would look like,' says an acquaintance. 'Very Citizen Kane.' He kept his social life mostly intact, spending weekends golfing at his home in Bermuda. 'Mike gets loosey-goosey on wine, visibly shining, but if you really try to get him to open up then, sure enough he gets flustered and retreats into his shell,' says a reporter. Bloomberg’s children, Georgina and Emma, are opposites. Georgina, 37, is an equestrian and private-plane-flying Instagram bombshell who, when her dad said he wasn’t going to run for president in March, posted a picture of a faux campaign sticker, reading BLOOMBERG: BECAUSE FUCK THIS SHIT, with the caption 'officially back to being just our family slogan.' Emma, 40, is a policy wonk who runs an education nonprofit. When I meet her in a hotel lobby near Bloomberg HQ, she’s all Tribeca-mom elegance: her brown hair slightly lightened, arms sculpted, and many tiny diamonds adorning her ears and climbing from wrists to forearms."

A nearly random excerpt from "Nevertheless, He Persists The ego and the altruism of Mike Bloomberg" (New York Magazine).

56 comments:

Yancey Ward said...

Can you imagine the criticisms that would have been leveled at Mayor Trump for the exact same behaviors? Oh, wait, we don't have to imagine, do we? The only thing that seems to be different between the two men for the purposes of this excerpt is that Trump doesn't get shiny when drinking. You could literally subsitute White House for Gracie Mansion, Bermuda golf weekends for Mar-E-Lago golf weekends, and child-like rich man decor for child-like rich man decor.

robother said...

What is it with these Tribeca Moms and their tiny diamonds climbing all over their bodies? Is this a metaphor, or has Tiffany's actually animated jewelry?

Fernandinande said...

'I was surprised to find the décor very much like a child’s idea of what a rich man’s house would look like,' says an acquaintance.

I sure wish I was a sophisto, like an acquaintance.

J. Farmer said...

find the décor very much like a child’s idea of what a rich man’s house would look like

I can think of at least one other NYC apartment that fits that description.

Georgina Bloomberg and Ivanka Trump were two of the several people profiled in Jamie Johnson's 2003 documentary Born Rich. Incidentally, of al the trust-fund babies profiled in the documentary, Ivanka comes across as the most grounded by far.

MayBee said...

I bet John Edwards looks at Mike Bloomberg and wishes he'd known he could run for POTUS as an unmarried man.

JRoberts said...

I've said it before and I'm saying it again: I have no problem with wealthy people running for elected office (even if I disagree with their policy views). However, I do have a problem with people who become wealthy BECAUSE they are in elected office (and there are way too many of those).

clint said...

The sneer about "a child's idea of what a rich man's house would look like" seems very much like old money looking down on new money.

Lucid-Ideas said...

Billions of dollars, and these people are still not original enough to flabbergast the people who write about them trying to put them in boxes. 'Tribec', instagram, equestrian...these people have no lives and no taste. Nor do the people writing about them. It's a monstrous ball, a garish gala of obscenely wealthy fake people and the fake people that write about them.

wendybar said...

Which of his daughters is the busty one who when she was 16, he used to get dates in China because she was bored?? (His words...not mine!!) https://www.wired.com/1999/02/bloomberg/

daskol said...

The sneer about "a child's idea of what a rich man's house would look like" seems very much like old money looking down on new money

Vanessa Grigoriadis is not old money. She's a different kind of snob, of the Manhattan-born/Wesleyan-educated hipstery sort.

Curious George said...

"Georgina, 37, is an equestrian and private-plane-flying Instagram bombshell who...."

I looked at all three definitions of bombshell. Nope.

Mark said...

JR - Is Bloomberg "running" for elected office or trying to buy the presidency?

daskol said...

Bloomberg used to get a lot of shit for weekending in Bermuda when he was mayor, also about not living in Gracie Mansion, but he had a good retort: he was saving the city money and he'd remind people he rides the subway to work everyday. I'll take that over Mayoy DeBlasio fka Wilhelm, who lives in Gracie Mansion but takes his motorcade to Park Slope a few times a week to run the treadmill in his old gym.

Michael K said...

Bloomberg has now hired Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as National Co-chair of his campaign, where she will no doubt advocate form burning cities down.

She served a bit more than one term as Mayor of Charm City, having taken over when her predecessor was convicted of embezzlement. (The woman who replaced her was similarly driven out of office over corruption charges.) She oversaw the aftermath of the Freddie Gray riots where her city was both literally and figuratively going up in flames. While she wasn’t forced to resign, she did opt to not bother trying for a second term and exited the scene.

At least she isn't in prison.

Yancey Ward said...

"Georgina Bloomberg and Ivanka Trump were two of the several people profiled in Jamie Johnson's 2003 documentary Born Rich. Incidentally, of al the trust-fund babies profiled in the documentary, Ivanka comes across as the most grounded by far."

I don't remember Ms. Bloomberg in that documentary, but I definitely remember Ivanka Trump, and for exactly the reason you mention- she was the most normal of the bunch- literally the only one of them that I could relate to.

traditionalguy said...

Bloomie will do you good by controlling you whether you want it or not. He thinks that he is doing you a favor by controlling your life, or else.

Wince said...

Too deep in, you can't get out
You're just a poor girl in a rich man's house

I'll come to your.... Emotional Rescue

You think you're one of a special breed
You think that you're his pet Pekingese
I'll be your savior, steadfast and true
I'll come to your emotional rescue

Mark said...

"Bombshell"

I have a friend named Georgina. Very attractive, often goes without make-up.

And I can say that Bloomberg is no Georgina.

William said...

Buckingham Palace is overdone. It's not as bad as Versailles, but way too many rooms Those old money types don't know when enough's enough. I'm sure Mike's place is far more homey and livable than Buckingham Palace.

wild chicken said...

old money looking down on new money.


But they're so terribly vulgar, my good man.

J. Farmer said...

@Yancey Ward:

I don't remember Ms. Bloomberg in that documentary, but I definitely remember Ivanka Trump, and for exactly the reason you mention- she was the most normal of the bunch- literally the only one of them that I could relate to.

She had a relatively small role in the film. If I remember correctly, all her scenes were shot at a stable with her in riding gear. The only real insight she gave was that she "hated" having the last name Bloomberg, but it was mostly just another iteration of the struggles of growing up the child of a prominent person. Nothing too interesting.

MadisonMan said...

Things we won't see if Bloomberg is President: Complaints about weekly costs of Golf Trips to Bermuda. At least Trump is spending the money in the USA!

J. Farmer said...

I remember about 10 years ago when Rush Limbaugh's 5th Avenue apartment was profiled. I was surprised that El Rushbo was such a fan of French rococo.

JRoberts said...

Mark: I'm not a fan of someone attempting to "buy" elected office, but I'm definitely not a fan of elected officials being "bought/owned". I grew up in the Chicago area in the 1960's and the same corruption I routinely heard about there has definitely gone national.

William said...

So that makes him able to relate to the common man(woman)how?

Narayanan said...

Blogger robother said...
What is it with these Tribeca Moms and their tiny diamonds climbing all over their bodies? Is this a metaphor, or has Tiffany's actually animated jewelry
_____&&&&&
You have not met Fur Wrap that purrs!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/296182.Brothers_in_Arms

Sebastian said...

Mini Mike is insufferable, but he is not wrong that he would be a better president than the mediocre clowns and mad leftist competing for the Dem nomination. Plus he does not actively hate the U.S. and American business. He would be Trump's strongest opponent, and a vote for him would be easiest for principle-free, policy-free Althouse to rationalize -- he's "competent," and so on. Y'all know the drill.

Ralph L said...

One of the Bloomberg daughters is married but childless, the other had a child on her own, after breaking her back twice falling from her horse (my SIL did the same before getting pregnant at 37).

Howard said...

Another normal Joe billionaire.

gspencer said...

Are those writers really trying to get me to admire Bloomberg and his kids?

Sally327 said...

After reading this article I can see why there are people who find Bernie Sanders so appealing. He isn't the answer but it's easy to see why some would settle for it anyway.

Bilwick said...

You have to have a pretty big ego to be a "liberal" (i.e., statist) politician. "I know what's best for you, so do it--or else!" isn't evidence of a humble mind.

The Vault Dweller said...

Regarding the surnaming of Bloomberg's grandchildren it seems kind of odd. I hope the fathers are still in the picture. Even with literal billions for insulation, a kid can really be messed up developmentally if their dad is alive, but just can't be bothered to be involved in their lives. There could be a lot of self-worth issues.

rehajm said...

I was surprised to find the décor very much like a child’s idea of what a rich man’s house would look like

John Mulvaney has a bit where he describes describes Trump as what a hobo imagines a rich man would be. When my number comes in I'm gonna have tall buildings with may name on em!

rcocean said...

Yeah, most of the MSM LOVES Mini-Mike.

I was listening to an NPR station and some guy was talking to a media babe who covered him while he was Mayor. She sounded like she was being paid by Bloomberg. Host asked her why Bloomberg was acting like Obama and he were friends when Bloomie was contemptuous of Obama in private. Reporter-hack changed the subject and started talking about how Bloomberg $500 million ad buy was *Really* aimed at Trump and hurting him. Question dodged.

And no follow up - of course. Its amazing how RESPECTFUL the MSM is, when talking about a Democrat Pol they like. Sure, they've done some bad things, but the situation was COMPLICATED and FULL OF NUANCE and blah, blah.

rcocean said...

The NPR reporters even trotted out the old "There a Good Mike and a Bad Mike" aka just like they'd do with Kennedy aka there's a "Good Ted" and a "Bad Ted". So, "Mike" just was a little "old fashioned" when it came to making "Jokes" in "bad taste". But he was *sigh* such a good mayor.

Other interesting fact. Bloomie spend $70-100 Million to get elected in 2001. Gulliani spend $10 Million for his election..

FullMoon said...

Mini Mike is insufferable, but he is not wrong that he would be a better president than the mediocre clowns and mad leftist competing for the Dem nomination.

Don't know how the process works for selecting dem candidate but I still expect Bloomberg to be the one, by hook or crook. He is most normal of the bunch and has got money and bought and paid for connections to put up a fight.

Mark said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BUMBLE BEE said...

And he's oh so healthy in his body and his mind.
Don't mean shit in Tuscaloosa.

Derve Swanson said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mark said...

Bloomberg is not wrong that he would be a better president than the mediocre clowns and mad leftist competing for the Dem nomination

Bloomberg is INFINITELY WORSE than anyone who might be elected from the current Democrat candidates.

Only in tyrannies can you buy a presidency. By the very nature of his buying power, Bloomberg would be destructive of our constitutional republic.

narciso said...




an earlier offering

narciso said...

https://www.thecut.com/2019/08/what-will-ivanka-trump-do-after-she-leaves-the-white-house.html#_ga=2.109639749.1353188543.1583013222-603981855.1561416749

Big Mike said...

The comment about Georgina piqued my curiosity. She’s not just an equestrian, she’s a professional equestrian, with a bunch of trophies and blue ribbons in her career. Yes, she can afford the best horses and best coaches, but you still have to produce in the ring and I doubt that the identity of her father gives her extra points with the judges. Lately she owns and manages a team while also riding for the team.

There’s an old saying about owning your own auto racing team. “How do you make a small fortune in auto racing? Start with a large fortune!” Probably much the same in equestrian competition.

Gahrie said...

Bloomberg actually is the guy the Left accuses Trump of being.

Skeptical Voter said...

Yancy Ward--it's very hard to get "shiny" on Diet Coke. Get the hiccups maybe if you drink it too fast. On the other hand, while Mini Mike is not drinking Two Buck Chuck, you can get "shiny" on wine.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Uh, what, exactly is the violent crime rate among Jews? I walked around in a heavily Jewish neighborhood the other day and strangely enough, I never once feared that some teen in a kipa was gonna mug me.

I know I shouldn't respond to the unwanted commenter here who persists in crashing this blog because it's probably the only pleasure she has in life, but that comment really stands out in terms of stupidity.

Spiros said...

After his election, Pope Francis declined to stay in the Papal Apartments in favor of his two-room residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. So Mini Mike and the Pope have something in common.

Lloyd W. Robertson said...

Daskol: I was wondering if someone was going to bring up Bloomberg on the subway. As I recall, it was eventually confirmed that he was driven to a subway station, rode a few stations for show, then got driven to work.

wildswan said...

I think Bloomberg will not take on China in any real way because his billions could be adversely affected and that sycophancy (the Peking Duck) would make him terrible as US President. Handling China is one of the key issues in the world. Just for example, while within China the leadership was denying the epidemic, China used its clout to keep borders open and people flying in and out of China and so COV-19 became a global pandemic. Trump closed the US borders early which slowed the spread within the US giving us time to prepare. This was against against China's wishes. And would Bloomberg or any Dem candidate have done the same? Did Bloomberg call for it? He did not. (Is he calling for NYC to cleanup while there's time? He is not.) And there will be many similar situations over the next few years. In the 21C globalists are as unrealistic as communists.

bagoh20 said...

" I doubt that the identity of her father gives her extra points with the judges."

They may have that intention and standard for themselves, but Bloomberg seems the type to throw his financial influence around and forcing it on people to get what he wants, whether they invite that or not. He is the stereotypical robber baron personality. I would bet that everyone in equestrian circles understands that crossing him is a lot less advantageous than supporting his interests. Good things just seems to happen to people he likes.

FullMoon said...

Biden killing Bernie in SC.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, but he's weird and fake.

JaimeRoberto said...

My, what big hands he has.

Narayanan said...

@ Lloyd W. Robertson said ...
... it was eventually confirmed that he was driven to a subway station, rode a few stations for show, then got driven to work.
____&&&&
During all 3 terms ?
Every week?
Or for filming occasionally.

Narayanan said...

@Blogger narciso said...
,,, an earlier offering
____&&&&

Interesting bit .... and funny.

In their 66th-through-68th-floor triplex castle in Trump Tower (they actually lived on the 56th, 57th, and 58th floors, but he’d added ten fake floors to the official count to make the building sound taller),