Joan Whitney Payson
Joan Whitney Payson  | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joan Whitney February 5, 1903 New York City, U.S.  | 
| Died | October 4, 1975 (aged 72) New York City, U.S.  | 
| Education | Miss Chapin's School | 
| Alma mater | Barnard College (1925)  Brown University  | 
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman sports team owner racehorse owner/breeder art collector philanthropist  | 
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, including Lorinda de Roulet | 
| Parent(s) | William Payne Whitney Helen Julia Hay  | 
| Relatives | See Whitney family | 
| 
 Baseball career  | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
  | |
Joan Whitney Payson (February 5, 1903 – October 4, 1975) was an American heiress, businesswoman, philanthropist, patron of the arts and art collector, and a member of the prominent Whitney family. She co-founded, and was the majority owner of, Major League Baseball's New York Mets baseball franchise, making her the first woman to own a major league team in North America without inheriting it.