S8 Ep856: In the late 1950s, Pamela strategically seduced producer Leland Hayward, eventually becoming his wife to secure a new life in America. She moved to the United States in 1959, where she was viewed by New York and Washington society as a dangerous "vixen" d
S8 Ep856: In the late 1950s, Pamela strategically seduced producer Leland Hayward, eventually becoming his wife to secure a new life in America. She moved to the United States in 1959, where she was viewed by New York and Washington society as a dangerous "vixen" d  
Podcast: The John Batchelor Show
Published On: Mon May 11 2026
Description: In the late 1950s, Pamela strategically seduced producer Leland Hayward, eventually becoming his wife to secure a new life in America. She moved to the United States in 1959, where she was viewed by New York and Washington society as a dangerous "vixen" due to her reputation as a seductress. Despite the success of The Sound of Music, she discovered Leland was financially unstable, leading her to sell her European assets to sustain their lifestyle. Seeking intellectual fulfillment, she opened a Manhattan shop, though her celebrity clients often failed to pay their bills. During this time, she maintained a close friendship with President John F. Kennedy, and his 1963 assassination was a profound personal blow to her. As Leland's health deteriorated throughout the 1960s, Pamela faced hostility from his children, who resented her influence and feared for their inheritance. By Leland's death in 1971, she was left financially depleted. (5/8)1650