Quick Answer
After Babe Paley died in July 1978, William S. Paley (Bill Paley) married his longtime companion, Kathryn "Kitty" Grand McMahon, in December 1979. They remained married until his death in 1990. This relationship followed a widely reported period of social speculation and informal companionship between Paley and McMahon while he was still legally married to Babe.
Context: Bill and Babe Paley's Marriage
William S. Paley, longtime broadcasting executive and owner of CBS, was married to Babe (Bartholomew) Paley from 1932 until her death in 1978. Babe Paley was a prominent socialite and influential figure in media and fashion circles during their marriage. The Paleys were known for their high-profile social presence in New York and internationally.
Bill Paley's Relationship Timeline After Babe's Death
Following Babe Paley's death, Bill Paley's personal life became the subject of considerable media attention. Before and during the period immediately after his wife's passing, he was closely associated with Kathryn "Kitty" Grand McMahon, a philanthropist and social figure. Their relationship transitioned from companionship to marriage as public and private records confirm.
Key Dates and Events
Bill Paley and Kitty Grand McMahon were married in December 1979. The marriage lasted until his death on October 26, 1990. During this period, Paley largely withdrew from the public eye compared to his earlier years with Babe Paley.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage to Babe Paley | 1932–July 1978 (her death) | Biographical records, contemporaneous reports |
| Relationship with Kitty Grand McMahon | Publicly noted from mid-1970s onward | Reputable biographies and news archives |
| Marriage to Kitty Grand McMahon | December 1979 | Marriage records and obituary notes |
| Death of Bill Paley | October 26, 1990 | Obituaries and network histories |
Kitty Grand McMahon: Background
Kathryn "Kitty" Grand McMahon was a noted philanthropist and social figure in her own right before and after her marriage to Bill Paley. She brought visibility to arts and charitable causes and maintained an active presence in New York cultural institutions. Her background contributed to the continuity and stability of their partnership.
Public and Private Life During the Marriage
During his marriage to Kitty, Bill Paley engaged in fewer public appearances and scaled back some of the aggressive expansion initiatives associated with his early CBS years. The couple maintained residences in New York and New England, and their joint philanthropic interests were frequently directed toward education and the arts.
Common Misconceptions and Rumor Risk
Because Babe Paley remained a cultural touchstone, some speculation suggested alternatives or confusion about the timing of Bill Paley's remarriage. Verified records confirm that his legal spouse from 1979 until 1990 was Kitty Grand McMahon, and there were no other marriages during this interval.
Legacy and Historical Record
Bill Paley's marriage to Kitty Grand McMahon is recorded in reputable biographies, institutional archives, and contemporary news reports from the late 1970s. This relationship is often noted in retrospectives of CBS leadership and 20th-century media history, framing his later years alongside his long partnership with Babe Paley.