'Feud: Capote vs The Swans': Inside chilling true story of Ann Woodward and the 'murder' that shocked NYC society
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: FX's latest series, 'Feud: Capote vs The Swans', based on a book by Laurence Leamer, revolves around American novelist Truman Capote who exposed scandalous secrets of the socialites of New York City.
The pilot episode introduces us to Ann Woodward as Capote tells a gossipy story at a dinner party.
“There’s a murderer walking free and you all know her. And I’m going to tell her story," says Capote who portrays Ann Woodward as a murderer.
Who was Ann Woodward?
Ann Woodward was born in Kansas in 1915 to a retired military officer and a schoolteacher. At the age of 22, she moved to New York City where she started working as a model and actress. Her roles as a radio actress garnered her the title of 'The Most Beautiful Girl in Radio' in 1940.
In her book 'Deliberate Cruelty', Roseanne Montillo says that she met William Woodward Sr, a wealthy banker during her gig as a dancer at a nightclub named FeFe's Monte Carlo. It is alleged that they were dating before he introduced her to his son believing that they would make a better match.
Ann married William Woodwod Jr in 1943 and they were blessed with two children.
How did Ann Woodward's husband die?
In 1955, after a night out, the couple returned home to their Long Island residence. Citing reports of a prowler in the neighborhood, they opted to sleep separately, armed with weapons, as detailed by New York Magazine.
During the night, Ann allegedly detected a disturbance at her door and responded by firing two shots, tragically killing her husband.
Did Ann Woodward kill her husband William Woodward Sr?
Ann claimed she shot in self-defense against an intruder, but speculations suggested a deliberate act due to an alleged affair revelation.
Accused of being a gold digger, Ann was accused of plotting to inherit Woodward's wealth amid divorce plans. She faced social exile from the New York high societies she had aspired to join.
During her jury testimony, Ann was acquitted of murder charges. Subsequently, the police arrested a suspect who pleaded guilty to attempting to rob the Woodwards, as reported by The New York Times.
How did Ann Woodward die?
20 years after the scandalous case, Ann Woodward was found dead in her duplex apartment. 'Feud: Capote vs The Swans' portrays Ann's tragic end.
She, who once shared a friendly bond with Truman Capote felt betrayed as he continued spreading rumors about her. She overdosed herself shortly before Capote's excerpt 'La Côte Basque' was scheduled to hit the market.
Though the exact reasons behind her suicide remain unknown, it is reportedly believed that she got her hands on Capote's excerpt before the release and the alleged humiliating piece drove her to kill herself.
"She shot my son, and Truman just murdered her, and so now I suppose we don't have to worry about that anymore," Ann Woodward's mother-in-law reportedly said, as per Town and Country.
Vogue mentions that Ann left a note by her side in which she wrote, “Remember Ann Woodward," without addressing to anyone. It seems that her last wish came true as her scandalous life still lives on through books and cinema.
'Feud: Capote vs The Swans' is streaming now on FX.
