The Daughters of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts, and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War

The Churchills arrived at Vorontsov palace. Anna Roosevelt and Kathleen Harriman tried to take a morning stroll together around the garden, but were frequently stopped by Soviet guards who wanted to see their identification. They learned that the Soviet government had forbidden them from visiting the Black Sea shore and the town of Yalta; they were “essentially trapped” in the palace (117).

Kathleen immediately liked Anna and enjoyed her company, though Anna did not return these feelings, writing to her husband that Kathleen was too “damn self-assured” and did not have “warmth of personality” (118). Katz attributes Anna’s dislike of Kathleen to the rivalry between the families, with the Roosevelts being “old money” and the Harrimans “new money,” as well as Anna’s personal insecurities. Anna also learned from advisor Harry Hopkins that Kathleen had had a romance with her younger brother, Franklin Jr.

Meanwhile, Stalin had arrived in Yalta and was staying at the Koreiz Villa, which he had renovated to include a bomb shelter. His aides had kept him continuously informed about the British and American delegations’ movements, and confirmed the rumors that President Roosevelt was sick. Stalin arrived at Vorontsov palace early, leaving the British Delegation scrambling to meet him in time;