At one time the Jane Beasley story might have been embedded in the public mind in terms of a broken heart.
A former M&A lawyer, Beasley had left her career behind to become the second Mrs. Jack Welch. According to the media, she gave that leader of GE some big concepts like "the boundaryless corporation." Most of us liked her because of her no-nonsense ways and seeming high intelligence.
Then, tragedy hit in the early 21st century. When her husband was working on a article for THE HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW with the editor Suzy, who had gotten a divorce, he claimed that he had fallen in love. Beasley, the media reported, alerted HBR of this potential conflict of interest since romance seemed to be in the air.
Most of us sided with Beasley. But the love birds seemed to thrive. They published a number of successful books. They consulted at the Fortune 100. They were hot tickets on the speaking circuit.
Then something happened. Last weekend, the Welch empire took a gigantic hit from the media, both conservative and liberal. He had tweeted that that positive September jobs report had been cooked up by government workers together with Barack Obama. Both conservatives and liberals who had experience with how the numbers are complied and reported said that was impossible. Among the media which were critical of Welch's allegation were FORTUNE and properties associated with FORTUNE.
In a snit, Welch said that he would quit writing for FORTUNE. FORTUNE has reported that story. Here you can read it.
Over the weekend Beasley might have been smiling a bit. Today, she might have broken into a broad grin. One suspects that level-headed Beasley would have recommended to Welch that he not send the tweet. Some opine that the U.S. Government could sue Welch for libel. It is interesting to reflect if the third Mrs. Welch wonders if Welch was really such a catch after all. Because of the romance she resigned her position at HBR. She is in her 50s. Welch is in his late 70s.
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