In fact, shortly before Houdini’s death, he entered a pact with Bess. While Bess dabbled in the occult, even operating a tearoom in the neighborhood, she never truly seemed to accept Harry’s belief in a spirit world. 67 Payson Avenue, former home of Bess Houdini. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGEĮvery Sunday, at the hour of Harry’s death, Bess would lock herself in a room of her 67 Payson Avenue home with a photograph of her dead husband and wait for a sign. 1930 Federal Census shows Bess Houdini (highlighted at bottom) living at 67 Payson Avenue. Not long after Houdini’s death Bess left her and Harry’s West 113th Street apartment and moved to Inwood where she would be joined by other members of the Houdini clan. Bess Houdini buys 67 Payson Avenue, The New York Sun, February 19, 1927 While Bess Houdini was left a sizable life insurance payout the recent widow could clearly no longer afford her and Harry’s former lifestyle. on Octohe left his widow, Bess, on shaky financial footing. When fifty-two year old Harry Houdini died in a Detroit hospital at 1:26 p.m. Connolly Collection.Houdini in center with mother on left and Bess on right. Image credit: Harry and Bess Houdini, Married Thirty-One Years, 1925. Related Link: Houdini: Art and Magic on view through March 27, 2011 He affectionately called her his “Precious Lump of Sweetness,” “Sweetie Wifie, Mine,” and “Darling One and Only.” Houdini signed these notes with various pet names including “your popsy” and “Houdinsky.” Houdini biographer Kenneth Silverman included this note from the magician to his wife in the book Houdini!!! The Career of Erich Weiss:Īdorable Sun Shine Of my Life I have had my coffee have washed out this glass, and am on my way to business. Houdini adored his wife and enjoyed leaving her love notes and poems around their Harlem brownstone at 278 West 113th Street. Although Bess disappeared from the stage, Houdini often confided and consulted with his wife about his new ideas. Yet, as Houdini’s fame rose, Bess found herself farther from the limelight and the attention focused solely on the adventurous feats of her husband. After marrying Houdini, she joined her husband on stage and they appeared as “The Houdinis.” A petite woman, Bess helped Houdini perfect the Metamorphosis illusion with her speed and agility. Bess, a Cathholic girl born in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, was an entertainer in her own right and performed at the Sea Beach Palace in Coney Island as part of “The Floral Sisters” trio. The newlyweds spent their honeymoon at Coney Island and were married for 32 years. On June 22, 1894, Harry Houdini married Wilhelmina Beatrice (“Bess”) Rahner after just three weeks of courtship.
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