The last owner of Leeds Castle, Lady Baillie was an American-born heiress to the Whitney fortune. She purchased the castle in 1926 for $873,000, beating out Randolph Hearst, the newspaper tycoon, as high bidder.

Lady Baillie devoted the rest of her life to restoring the Norman castle and rolling parkland that surrounds it. And she brought Hollywood glamour to the surroundings. A society hostess, Lady Baillie's guests included Jimmy Stewart, Errol Flynn, and Charlie Chaplin.

When Lady Baillie died in 1974, she left Leeds Castle to a charitable trust which ensures its enjoyment by the public and also promotes the castle for weddings and national and international seminars.