Born Elaine Marie Catherine Fried on March 12, 1918, in Flatbush, NY
At the age of 20, she started taking art lessons with artist Willem de Kooning. They married in 1943
In 1962, Elaine was commissioned by the White House to paint the official portrait of John F. Kennedy
This Abstract Expressionist died in Southampton, NY, on February 1, 1989, at the age of 70
You can read more about the Kennedy Portrait and visit this and other portraits at The Simthsonian National Portrait Gallery.
Ms. Donahue in 2019, standing next to the de Kooning portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. It's HUGE!