In this captivating episode, Bobbie's story details how she helped a vulnerable family escape the Jim Crow South, while Diana's tale involves kidnapping a child and possibly causing her husband's death. These two intriguing stories shed light on the enigmatic and impactful life of Linda Taylor.
Linda Taylor had a history of abruptly entering people's lives, causing chaos, and then disappearing without a trace.
Linda Taylor's actions had both positive and negative impacts on those she encountered, showcasing her complex and manipulative character.
Deep dives
Linda Taylor's Deceitful Past and Mixed-Race Identity
In 1964, Linda Taylor claimed to be Constance Wakefield, the heir to a gambling kingpin's fortune, but a court hearing revealed her duplicity. Her white relatives also concealed her real parentage due to her being biracial, leading to Taylor's disownment. Taylor, known for exploiting families, married Lamar Jones briefly and was arrested for welfare fraud soon after. Despite contacts with several individuals, no one stayed in touch with her long-term as Taylor often disappeared abruptly, leaving chaos in her wake.
Impact of Linda Taylor's Actions on Others
The podcast explores how Linda Taylor transformed lives in contrasting ways during the 1950s-1980s, showcasing her abilities to assist and harm those close to her. Accounts from people who knew Taylor personally shed light on her complex character. While some experienced her genuine help in times of need, others suffered from her manipulative behavior, indicating a duality in her actions toward loved ones. This episode delves into the stories of Bobby and Diana, illustrating the profound effects Taylor's actions had on those in her orbit.
Linda Taylor had a tendency to emerge from out of nowhere, upend everything in her path, then vanish without leaving a forwarding address. The final episode of The Queen focuses on two different stories about the lives Taylor changed. In one case, she helped a vulnerable family escape the degradations of the Jim Crow South. In the other, she kidnapped a child and may have been responsible for her own husband’s death.
This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock the entire season of The Queen, but you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/thequeenplus to get access wherever you listen.