5pm Wednesday update: East Hampton/Montauk police have ended the search for today for Peter. They will resume at 6am tomorrow. I’m sorry to say this doesn’t sound good. If only Peter were on one of great adventures in Africa. He was indomitable. Is. Sending positive thoughts to his family. If anyone has positive stories about Peter, fun and scandalous, please contact me at showbiz411@gmail.com.
Earlier:
First, I can’t believe Peter Beard is 82, or that he has dementia. The famed artist and photographer shot and loved beautiful women, stalked wildlife with his camera. He is and was and has been a fixture on the New York nightlife parade my entire life.
But Tuesday night he went missing from his home on the Montauk cliffs. They say he “wandered away.” A dramatic exit for Peter? There could be nothing less. But let’s pray and hope he’s ok.
Peter’s wife now and for a long time is Nejma. They have a daughter, Zara. His second wife was model Cheryl Tiegs, from 1981 to 83. No kids. Before that he was married briefly to Minne Cushing, of Newport society, in 1961. The wedding was lavish and featured over and over in magazines.
In the 70s, Peter was a man on the prowl in New York, star of Andy Warhol’s scene, fixture at Studio 54. His girlfriends and lady friends ranged from Lee Radziwill to Candice Bergen to a long list of models including Lauren Hutton, Carole Bouquet and so many others including beauty Maureen Gallagher, whom he lived with while married to Nejma. Believe me, there’s enough to write two books.
Now we wait, and reminisce about all the items we wrote about the crazy life of Peter Beard. Let’s hope he’s ok.
