Kitty Kelley Will Be An Open Book

She’s written controversial biographies on Oprah, Frank Sinatra, and the Royal Family. Now Kitty Kelley is in the Coachella Valley and joining forces with College of the Desert to raise money for the school. She’s not what you would expect. A bubbly petite blonde has made some pretty powerful enemies. Kelley has written 7 controversial unauthorized biographies on some of the biggest names of our time – Jackie Onassis, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, the British Monarchy, Elizabeth Taylor, the Bush family, and most recently Oprah. “I only choose people who are extraordinarily powerful,” Kelley said. “People who truly left a footprint in our landscape. People who have honestly influenced us.” Her work has ruffled a lot of feathers through the years. She has been criticized by presidents, journalists, and Hollywood elite, but she keeps writing. “Unauthorized does not mean untrue,” Kelley said. “It means independent. It means doing the work without the subjects approval. I really think the best way to write a biography is from the outside looking in. Not with the person leaning over your shoulder saying, ‘delete this, I dont’ want this in. This isnt good for my brand.'” Kelley calls Washington DC home, but is renting a house in La Quinta for the winter. But she is no stranger to the desert. She spent time out here during her research for her book on Frank Sinatra. “It was very controversial because Sinatra did not want it written. And before I even wrote a word, he sued me for millions of dollars to keep the book from ever being published. He dropped his lawsuit after a year and I continued working.” Kelley says the book about Sinatra will be very much a part of the talk she is giving Tuesday March 29th at the Miramonte Resort in Indian Wells, to help raise money for College of the Desert. “I’m going to be telling people how i got the stories that he didn’t want me to get,” Kelley revealed. The fundraiser for COD will include a presentation from Kelley, followed by Q and A. Everyone will receive a copy of Kelley’s latest book about Oprah. The money raised at the event will go directly to College of the Desert to help pay for educational programs and scholarships. COD currently has about 13,000 students, and 70% of them are the first in their family to go to college. “I think this is a big cause,” Kelley said. “I believe in higher education. I know how important it is and this is a place that really offers great opportunity.” Tuesdays event is at the Miramonte Resort in Indian Wells. Tickets are $65 and you can buy them at the door. You can also email slaratoney@collegeofthedesert.edu or call 760-773-2561