Jean Stein, the author of the oral history “Edie: American Girl” about Andy Warhol “it girl” Edie Sedgwick, leapt to her death from a New York City building on Monday. She was 83.
Stein died after jumping from the 15th floor of 10 Gracie Square at East End Ave. and 83rd St. at 10:35 a.m. ET, according to authorities, the New York Daily News reported.
The writer, who also penned Hollywood insiders’ chronicle “West of Eden: An American Place,” landed on an eighth floor balcony but could not be revived by paramedics.
A former editor at the Paris Review and longtime editor of Grand Street magazine, Stein was originally from Los Angeles but lived in New York City.
In 1970, Stein also wrote the oral history “American Journey: The Times of Robert Kennedy,” with editor George Plimpton. That was followed by “Edie” in 1982, of which Norman Mailer said: “This is the book of the 60s that we have been waiting for.”
“Random House is greatly saddened to hear the news of Jean Stein’s death,” a spokesperson for her publisher said in a statement. “Our condolences go out to her family.”
The building on 10 Gracie Square is also where Anderson Cooper’s brother, Carter, jumped to his death in 1988.
Stein is survived by her daughters Katrina and Wendy van den Heuvel.