Anita Madden
Anita Madden (born February 3, 1933), an American sportswoman, leader in the thoroughbred industry's high society and activist in political and economic issues in Kentucky. She was born Anita K. Myers to Orella Ferguson (died January 22, 1999) in Ashland, Kentucky. Anita grew up as a "tomboy." She played sports while in high school such as basketball and cheerleading while also being involved with the drama club. From there she attended Western Kentucky University for two years before transferring to the University of Kentucky in 1952. There she met Preston West Madden (born July 24, 1934 ) of Lexington, heir and grandson of horse-breeder John Madden. The two dated and then married in 1955. Nine years later the Maddens' only child Patrick Winchester Madden was born. Patrick attended The Hill School, Stanford University, and then earned a law degree at the University of Kentucky.
Personal life
Anita Madden is probably most famous for her extravagant Kentucky Derby Eve gala events, inviting as many as 5,000 people. For nearly 40 years, the Maddens hosted the fundraiser until it was cancelled due to the death of Anita's mother in 1999. Every year Kentuckians and the thoroughbred industry's international high society world looked forward to the themed party. One of the themes was "Rapture of the Deep, complete with mermaids and mermen and a figure of an octopus surrounded by a dry-ice fog; The Ultimate Odyssey, with young people togged out as Greek gods and goddesses while the Trojan War was reenacted under the gaze of a sixteen foot statue of Zeus clutching a neon thunderbolt".
