The World: A Family History of Humanity

by Simon Sebag Montefiore

On her fourth day in the White House, Mimi was invited by the First Friend and presidential procurer Dave Powers to a swimming party, which led to cocktails and then to a euphemistic invitation: ‘Would you like a tour of the residence, Mimi?’ A tour of the residence usually included a tour of JFK. Mimi ‘cannot describe what happened that night as making love’ – she called him ‘Mister President’ even when naked in Jackie’s bed – but it was ‘sexual, intimate, passionate’, and later he introduced amyl nitrite poppers into their assignations. JFK displayed his nastier side when, at the White House pool, he ordered her to give oral sex to Powers: ‘I don’t think the president thought I’d do it, but I’m ashamed to say that I did. The president silently watched.’ Calling himself ‘Michael Carter’ when he phoned her, she called him ‘the Great Compartmentaliser’, a quality essential for any leader. Indeed, ‘There was always a layer of reserve.’