Socialite - Definition and Overview

A socialite is a person (often a younger woman) of social prominence, considered to be an influential social figure. Their impact derives not so much from their artistic realisations (then they would be known in the first place as author or performer, etc...) or their official social stature (then they would be called politician, industrial, etc...), as from their off-stage way of radiating prominence, to which beauty, intelligence, artistic predisposition, (inherited) wealth and/or any other reason for being attractive, inspiring or persuasive might help. At least they would be seen at all kinds of social events.

Examples of well-known socialites are Violet Trefusis, Daisy Fellowes, Misia Edwards, Ottoline Morrell, C. Z. Guest, Catherine Oxenberg, Paris Hilton and Lady Victoria Hervey.