It was a Ragdoll-to-riches story: she was stuffed in a box and dumped at the front door of North Shore Animal League, and now she is the official feline hostess of the famous Algonquin Hotel. Matilda III is the tenth Algonquin cat in a dynasty that spans over eight decades.
The Algonquin is New York City’s oldest operating hotel and during the 1920s and 1930s, it gained fame as the gathering place for the brightest wits of the literary and entertainment world. It was in the 1930s that Frank Case, then-owner of the hotel, found a stray orange tabby. He brought the cat in from the rain with the intention of naming him Rusty, but his friend, actor John Barrymore (one of a long line of thespians that includes his granddaughter, Drew), insisted that Hamlet was far more befitting a moniker — after all, the cat insisted on drinking its milk out of a champagne glass. Hamlet was the first Algonquin cat, and all subsequent male cats who called the hotel their home were also named Hamlet. In 1987, the first female cat took over the job, and she (along with her successors) was named Matilda. Matilda III takes over from Matilda II, who had a 13-year-long reign.
Although Matilda III has one of the highest profile positions of any cat in the world, her background is quite mysterious. Nobody knows what the four-year-old Ragdoll was doing or where she lived before she wound up at North Shore Animal League. But she has proven herself to be a natural hotelier, and has adjusted to life at the Algonquin with a blend of good taste, charisma, and some classic kitty curiosity (she has a fixation with the hotel’s 13th floor, for some unknown reason). So I am quite fortunate to have landed an interview with Ms. Matilda III!
I hear that the Algonquin sent a headhunter to the North Shore Animal League in search of a replacement for the retiring Matilda II. Can you tell me a little bit about the job interview?
Actually Matilda II called North Shore to tell them she was ready to retire and could they find a replacement — I appeared — Matilda II went there to interview me and then taught me everything I needed to know about my new job.
You are still pretty new to the Algonquin. How long have you had your position now?
I arrived on December 10, 2010.
Was the job what you expected, or were there surprises?
I cannot believe what a cushy job I have!
Matilda II had a long and celebrated reign. She was also a pedigreed cat. Are you a little intimidated by having to follow in her pawprints?
Not at all — it is a privilege to be her successor and carry on the tradition of the Algonquin Cat.
Why did Matilda II retire? And does she ever check in from her new home in Brooklyn?
Matilda was 15-1/2 years old — that is 80 in human years — she knew it was time to sit in the sun and watch the birds. She is doing very well and is happy — has a windowsill all her own to stare out at trees and birds, sleeps in a four poster bed with a human — life is wonderful.
I know the story about the first Algonquin Cat, Frank Case and John Barrymore, but can you tell me any other interesting anecdotes about the Algonquin Cats before Matilda II?
Rusty, the first cat — who became Hamlet — only drank milk out of a champagne glass. Matilda I was napping one day in the flower box outside the hotel one day and some one came up and robbed her jeweled collar. She also used to steal food from guests’ plates (I would NEVER do that). One Hamlet fell in love and would visit his girlfriend at the local stable (way back when). One cat used to jump into taxicabs if the doorman wasn’t quick enough. Matilda II jumped into her birthday cake one year.
Considering that you came from the North Shore Animal League yourself, are you planning on continuing the tradition of throwing a birthday party to benefit them? Will it still be held in August?
CATsolutely — except this year, because I am new, we will have my grand debutant ball… my coming out party!
I think it’s important that my readers know the Algonquin is pet-friendly. Can you tell me a little about what your four-legged guests receive when they check in?
Everything needed to make them feel at home including a special welcome letter from me!!
Thanks, Matilda, for being part of my birthday month celebration!
Matilda III with Algonquin Executive Assistant and Chief Cat Officer, Alice de Almeida; North Shore's VP of Communications, Devera Lynn; and North Shore's Behavioral Specialist, Dorit Shevach
MeWowZa…a very purrfessional interview! As a side note, Disco and Brighton have clothing made by Meow-Wear, who is always at the birthday party of each Maltilda!
Nice to meet you Matilda III !
Thank you for welcoming me! I heard when Mommy was planning the trip to NYC….only 1 1/2 hrs away by bus……..she did check on the Algonquin but ended up at the Marmara Hotel on East 94th street because you get a whole apartment for less money and it was clean and very nice she said. They also allow pets up to 60 lbs……….I could go! =^Y^=
TW once attended an office Christmas pawty at the Algonquin and said it was lovely. Unfortunately, the reigning Matilda at the time didn’t put in an appearance. We also didn’t know it was cat-friendly.
I don’t know how I missed this yesterday but it is terrific, the story about Matilda. What a great life for a cat. Lots of company. Thanks for this interview.
Great interview, Sparkle! I was fortunate enough to meet Miss Matilda III in February, and she was lovely! She even has a signature cocktail at the bar that’s quite yummy (and expensive..oy!)
I wonder if she can chat with the ghost of Dorothy Parker?
Matilda is a very nice looking cat. She shares her name with my last dog.
Most excellent post! We loved meeting the famous Matilda III, and learn how she came to have her job. Well done Sparkle!
We also want to thank you for the purrs, we think they may be helping!
We enjoyed meeting Matilda III, Sparkle! What a fun job she has at the hotel!!
Great interview, Sparkle! How fun to meet Matilda III. She is really gorgeous! If our mom ever went to New York City she’d stay at the Algonquin just on account of her :).
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, and Hollie
A few weeks ago, when my human went to New York, she stayed somewhere else because she thought the Algonquin would be too expensive. Then she discovered that if she had pre-paid for the room, she would have paid slightly less than what she was paying at the other place! So, next time!
Super interview!! We hope Matilda III has a long reign!!
The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
Mom says she has visited the Algonquin in NYC back in the 80’s and she loves that they have a special (very special) cat!
Great interview Sparkle!
Thank you for your kind thoughts and purrs for my Daddy!
purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥
That was quite an honor to interview such a distinguished feline. Clearly Matilda is continuing the Matilda reign with grace and dignity.
Great interview! Sounds like a wonderful life for a cat!
The publicist had the very great honor of staying at the Algonquin and meeting Matilda II!
Great interview, Sparkle! We like getting to know more about Matilda III, the Algonquin Cat. What a lucky one she is!
We enjoyed your interview with Matilda III very much! She is certainly very beautiful! We had heard of ducks in a hotel but we didn’t know there was a hotel with a kitty on duty! Paws up to them!
Wow that is a great interview – we had no idea that there was a hotel that had an official cat. That is amazing!
Well done Sparkle. This Matilda lives up the tradition. Our mom Layla Morgan Wilde nips in to see her every time she’s in the ‘hood. Us man cats would loooove to meet her.
Matilda is such a sweetie and a wonderful SpokesCat fur sure!
Wow Sparkle what a fantastic interview. Matilda III is a beautiful and poised girl, I know she will do a fantastic job!!! Truly a rags to riches story 🙂
Great interview! What a wonderful life for her. She seems well-loved!
Ohhh, we’ve read about this hotel and their cats before – it’s such a great story! Thank you for reminding us!
What a great interview. It sounds like Matilda has a fabulous life. I wonder how we can start getting our water in champagne glasses?
Matilda III is furry pretty and we can see the hotel runs like clockwork under her supervising paws.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Matilda is a beautiful cat. What wonderful furs she has.
pawhugs, Max
wow Nice interview!Matilda III is adorable!
Very interesting post!
Luna
That’s so cool! And what a pretty girl.
Matilda III …What an awesome interviews , Sparkle !
She is a “thing” of beauty – that one is. M loves frequenting places of business that have an animal mascot. She makes ever effort to give them her business if she is in the market for what they sell. Now who can resist Miltalda III. I think I’m in love!
Wow, how great to meet Matilda III, and to learn all about her role at the Algonquin. What a beautiful cat!