Candidate for Harem
Aug 1964: Marie Miller, a 23-year-old divorcee, announced that in return for $50,000 per year she would be willing to join the harem of Sheik Suleiman el-Haseil who lived in Israel's Negev Desert. She explained that she was responding to a magazine ad apparently placed by the Sheik seeking an American wife.
The Sheik responded that he didn't want her in his harem. He explained that he had placed an ad for an American wife back in 1958, but he was no longer interested in one.
In fact, in December 1957 Sheik Suleiman had been reported to be seeking not just any American wife. He was hoping to marry Eleanor Roosevelt (widow of FDR).
The stress of the media frenzy following Marie Miller's offer seems to have overwhelmed her, and she ended up in the hospital with a bad back. She was also kicked out of her church.
But where exactly did Miller get the idea that Sheik Suleiman was seeking an American wife? I think it traces back to a February 1964 article in HQ magazine by Trevor L.M. Maynard, "I Buy Brides for Arab Sheiks." It described Maynard's lucrative business as a finder of western wives for Arab sheiks, including Sheik Suleiman. He claimed to have arranged 117 marriages between young western women and Arab sheiks.
The Sheik responded that he didn't want her in his harem. He explained that he had placed an ad for an American wife back in 1958, but he was no longer interested in one.
Chillicothe Gazette - Aug 18, 1964
In fact, in December 1957 Sheik Suleiman had been reported to be seeking not just any American wife. He was hoping to marry Eleanor Roosevelt (widow of FDR).
Newsweek - Dec 16, 1957
The stress of the media frenzy following Marie Miller's offer seems to have overwhelmed her, and she ended up in the hospital with a bad back. She was also kicked out of her church.
Dayton Daily News - Aug 27, 1964
Sheik Suleiman (right) with reporter Paul McMahon (1961)
But where exactly did Miller get the idea that Sheik Suleiman was seeking an American wife? I think it traces back to a February 1964 article in HQ magazine by Trevor L.M. Maynard, "I Buy Brides for Arab Sheiks." It described Maynard's lucrative business as a finder of western wives for Arab sheiks, including Sheik Suleiman. He claimed to have arranged 117 marriages between young western women and Arab sheiks.
Click to read full article (pdf)
Comments
I´m saddened that you had to explain that Eleanor Roosevelt was the widow of FDR
Posted by F.U.D. in Stockholm on 12/09/23 at 07:57 AM
F.U.D. -- I'm sure that addition was unnecessary. Just overexplaining on my part, 'cause when I first saw that news clipping I wondered if she was still alive in 1957 (she died in 1962).
Posted by Alex on 12/09/23 at 08:27 AM
$50,000 in 1964 is now $484,954.42.
"I will love, honor, and obey until 11:59p.m. on this date next year if the paychecks are issued on time and are honored by the bank."
"I will love, honor, and obey until 11:59p.m. on this date next year if the paychecks are issued on time and are honored by the bank."
Posted by Phideaux on 12/09/23 at 10:46 AM
Having had a little dental work in my life, am I wrong in thinking the dentist must have been standing on her to get leverage to extract a most firmly set infected molar or that she was getting a root canal with no anesthesia and she jerked? Insurance involved......
Posted by Swordfish on 12/09/23 at 12:30 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Girls:_My_Life_in_a_Harem
Posted by ges on 12/10/23 at 10:51 AM
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Category: Marriage | 1960s