Maria Kramer

American owner of major hotels that ran big band musical acts in them. Born October 8, 1882 Tucson, Arizona. Died March 12, 1986 (age of 103) in Manhatten, New York. New York hotels she owned included the Lincoln (now the Milford Plaza) and the Edison in Manhatten. In 1938, she purchased the Hotel Lincoln for $7 million cash. She is credited with making her and her husband's (he died in 1946) hotels highly profitable by seeking out little-known musicians and, through network broadcasts, making them familiar figures to the public. Bands featured included Artie Shaw, Blue Barron, Harry James and Tony Pastor. She also also owned the Roosevelt Hotel in Washington, where the Victory Room was host to Glenn Miller's orchestra. She was once known as one of the world's best dressed women. In 1956, Mrs. Kramer sold the Lincoln and the Roosevelt and retired soon afterward.