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Emily Gilmore, née Abbott, is a conservative member of New England society and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was raised by a strict social code and graduated from Smith College, one of the "Seven Sisters". After she married, she dedicated herself to furthering her husband Richard's career. As a result, she spends much of her time arranging charity events, and she is very concerned with propriety and appearances. She is difficult to please, and is incapable of keeping a maid very long no matter how well she pays them. They quit or are fired in rapid succession. Many people have judged her to be a snobbish and haughty woman. Richard Gilmore first took her on a date while he was a student at Yale University, to the Yale Center for British Art, after she attracted his attention at a fraternity party. Richard broke off his engagement to Pennilyn Lott in order to marry Emily. Emily: Well, you couldn't marry Linny Lott. That woman needed directions to get to a point. —Season 3, Ep. 8 "Let the Games Begin" His mother, Lorelai "Trix" Gilmore, disapproved of the marriage and tried to talk her son out of going through with the wedding all the way up to the day before the ceremony. She harassed and intimidated Emily during all of her infrequent vists. After Trix dies, Emily discovers a letter Trix wrote to Richard on his wedding day asking him not to marry Emily, which causes her emotional distress. It further damages her marriage with Richard, almost leading to divorce. Emily and Richard had one child, Lorelai, whom they tried to raise in a manner befitting people of their social position, but Lorelai was rebellious. She got pregnant at 16, right before her society debut, gave birth to Emily's sole grandchild Rory, and ran away from their home in Hartford, Connecticut a year later. Emily had very limited contact with her daughter for most of her adult life, and though they have gotten to know each other better as adults, they still have a very strained relationship. Emily sometimes meddles in Lorelai's life because, viewing Lorelai as living in a state of arrested development, judges that Lorelai is still unable to differentiate what is and is not best for herself, so Emily takes matters into her own hands to correct the situation. Such an example of this is when she tried to break up Lorelai from Luke Danes, the gruff, burly diner owner, whom Emily felt was not good enough for Lorelai (being something of a classist and an elitist). Emily dotes on Rory, however, and she and Richard made it financially possible for Rory to attend the exclusive Chilton Preparatory school as well as Yale University. They also gave her a 2003 Toyota Prius as her high school graduation gift. Emily and Richard were separated during Season 5, and Emily even tried dating another man, Simon McLane (Larry Pine). Though the date went well, it primarily made Emily realize how much she missed Richard. They soon reconciled and renewed their vows. Emily: I'm just so nervous, I can't think. Lorelai: Why are you nervous? Emily: I'm getting married! Lorelai: For the second time. Mom, it's a pretend wedding. J.Lo has them all the time! —Season 5, Ep. 13 "Wedding Bell Blues" [Taken from the wonderful Wikipedia.org] |
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