Margery Durant

Margery Pitt Durant (May 24, 1887 – February 3, 1969) was the daughter of businessman and General Motors founder, Billy Durant. She was notable for authoring a book about her father, her contributions to increasing travel abroad via aviation, photographing her aviation adventures, and for being a socialite.

Early life Margery Pitt Durant was born on May 24, 1887, in the city of Flint, Michigan. She was the daughter of William Crapo Durant and Clara Miller Pitt Durant. Growing up, Durant attended schools in Michigan, New York, and Washington D.C.

Aviation In the early thirties, Durant advocated for private aviation. Amelia Earhart gave her the name of a reputable pilot who assisted her in learning to fly. She later bought her own airplane, a Lockheed Vega. In 1931 Durant had her aircraft transported across the Atlantic aboard the ocean liner S.S. Hamburg so she could fly over different countries in Europe and Africa. In 1926 the couple bought Brandon Plantation in Prince George County, Virginia, and restored its historic mansion but they soon divorced. In 1929, she was married to John Hampton Cooper. A few months later, Fitzhugh died leaving Margery a widow.

Durant died on February 3, 1969, in Florida.