Biography of the late legendary sportswoman Penny Chenery

Penny Chenery was an American horse breeder and jockey. She owned the legendary 1973 Triple Crown champion horse race Secretariat. Moreover, Penny also bred the Eclipse Award-winning horse, Saratoga Dew.

Furthermore, Penny was married twice in her life, but she lived a single life until she died. Also, from her first marriage, she had four children. However, Penny doesn’t share any children from her second marriage.

How Was Penny Chenery’s Young Days?

Helen Bates Penny Chenery Tweedy aka Penny Chenery, was born on January 27, 1922, in New Rochelle, New York, USA. Moreover, Penny hasn’t shared the name of her mother but she is the youngest daughter of Christopher Cheney while she was named Helen Bates Chenery after her mother.

In addition, Penny was raised alongside her two siblings in Pelham Manor. During her early years, she went to The Madeira School in McLean, Virginia. From there she earned a degree and graduated in 1939. After graduation, she enrolled at Smith College and later on earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Also, she studied at Columbia Business School.

In 1943, Penny started working as an assistant for Gibbs and Cox, a company that designed warcraft for the Normandy invasion. However, she quit her job and took part in volunteering for the Red Cross in 1945. At that, she traveled to France as a Doughnut Girl to help war-weary soldiers transition to ships home at the end of World War II.

What About Her Personal Life, Husband and Children?

As we mentioned, Penny Chenery was married twice in her life. At first, she was married to her long-time boyfriend John Tweedy. The couple first met while she was attending Columbia Business School. Since then the couple dated for several years before getting married. In May 1949, the couple tied the knot. The couple stayed together for nineteen years. They welcomed 4 kids together.

Penny Chenery was a mother to four children: Kate Tweedy, Sarah Manning, Chris Chenery, and John Tweedy. Each of them has achieved success in their respective fields and carries on their mother’s legacy in diverse ways, showcasing the profound impact she had on their lives.

During the racing season of 1973, the mother of 4 had an affair with Lucien Laurin. Because of the affair, her marriage turned into divorce in late 1973. Also, her affair didn’t last long, and later they broke off. After that, she met another gut named Lennart Ringquist. The couple eventually dated for a while and got married. However, their marriage didn’t last long and ended with a divorce.

In the early 1990s, she moved to Lexington, Kentucky and later she moved to Boulder, Colorado to spend her final years near her children.

Death at 95: What Was the Reason?

On September 16, 2017, Penny died at her home due to complications from a stroke. At that time she was 95 years old. Before death, she proved herself as a wonderful businesswoman and is still a big inspiration for many women out there.

What Was Penny Chenery’s Net Worth at Death?

Penny Chenery received lots of fame and wealth because of her contribution to the entertainment industry. Even after her death, her fame didn’t fade away easily. According to Celebritynetworth.com, Penny had collected a massive net worth of $10 million at the time of her death. No doubt, she lived a luxurious life as a businesswoman. Her life was comfortable and advanced till her living.

Additionally, Penny had also received Numerous racing awards and along with Martha F. Gerry and Allaire du Pont, she became one of the first women admitted to The Jockey Club. Also, she received the Eclipse Award of Merit in 2006. Not only that but she received The Arlington Park Penny Chenery Distinguished Woman in Racing Award which was established in her Honor.