What is Patricia Altschul's Net Worth?
Patricia Altschul is an American socialite and reality television personality with a net worth of $100 million. She is renowned for her involvement in the art community and her appearances on Bravo's reality series Southern Charm (2014–present), created by her son, Whitney Sudler-Smith.
Once a Manhattan socialite, now based in Charleston, Patricia's engaging personality and witty commentary on her son's life make her a fan favorite on Southern Charm. She authored "The Art of Southern Charm" in 2017 and launched The Patricia Altschul Luxury Collection in 2020, a brand that blends luxury with accessibility.
Early Life
Patricia Madelyn Day was born on April 16, 1941, in Jacksonville, Florida. She grew up in Richmond, Virginia, with her parents, Francis and Walter, and attended Marymount School and Olney Friends School. Patricia graduated magna cum laude from George Washington University with a bachelor's degree in 1964 and a master's degree in 1965, both in archaeology and art history.
Career
After completing her master's degree, Patricia worked as an instructor and assistant professor in art history at George Washington University. She later owned Arcadia, a private art dealership in Georgetown. In 2010, she appeared in the documentary Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston, written and directed by her son, Whitney.
In 2014, Whitney created Southern Charm, a reality TV show that provides a glimpse into modern-day Southern aristocracy in Charleston, South Carolina. Patricia joined the show and has appeared in over 60 episodes. TV critic Christine Lo described her as a "straight shooter with a serious pedigree and a ton of clout to throw around."
Patricia has also appeared on Watch What Happens: Live (2017), Celebrity Page (2017), The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2019), and the documentary The Mystery of the Pink Flamingo (2020). Her luxury collection is sold on the Home Shopping Network, featuring clothing, pillows, throws, and home decor.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Personal Life
Patricia married L. Hayes Smith in 1962, and they had a son, Whitney, born on June 2, 1968, before divorcing in 1979. She was married to Dr. Edward Stitt Fleming from 1989 to 1995, followed by Arthur Altschul in 1996. Arthur was a prominent figure in General American Investors and a partner at Goldman, Sachs & Company. They were married until his death in 2002. Patricia's prominence and generous donations led to her appointments to the Rockefeller family Hudson Hills Trust and the New York Historical Society board, earning her the Woman of the Year award from the Police Athletic League of New York City in 2012.
Real Estate
In 1997, the Altschuls purchased a 30-room mansion in Long Island, which Patricia sold for $12.5 million in 2009. In 2008, she bought the Isaac Jenkins Mikell House in Charleston for $4.8 million. This 10-bedroom, 9,500 square foot home, built in 1853, was formerly a library. Patricia spent over $5 million on renovations, earning the Pro Merito Award/Carolopolis Award from the Preservation Society of Charleston in 2013. The Mikell House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014 and is prominently featured on Southern Charm.
