Alfred S. Bloomingdale, American businessman (d. 1982)

Alfred Schiffer Bloomingdale, born on April 15, 1916, and passing away on August 23, 1982, lived a life marked by significant contributions to American commerce and, regrettably, overshadowed by a highly publicized scandal. As a scion of one of the nation's most iconic retail families, his name was inherently linked to the opulent Bloomingdale's department store. Yet, beyond his inherited wealth, he forged his own indelible legacy as a pioneering figure in the financial industry, earning him the enduring title of the "father of the credit card." However, the closing chapter of his life was tragically intertwined with the controversial figure of Vicki Morgan, his mistress whose subsequent murder thrust their clandestine relationship into the unforgiving glare of public scrutiny.

A Legacy of Retail and Innovation

Born into the prominent Bloomingdale family, Alfred inherited a connection to the retail empire founded by his great-uncles, Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale, in 1872. Bloomingdale's rapidly grew to become a symbol of luxury and innovation in department store retail, particularly in New York City. While Alfred was an heir to this considerable fortune and carried the weight of the family name, his ambitions extended beyond the established family business. He became a significant force in the world of consumer finance, where he would leave an enduring mark that reshaped how modern economies operate.

The "Father of the Credit Card"

Alfred S. Bloomingdale's most impactful contribution to modern society was his pivotal role in the development and popularization of the multi-purpose credit card. While various forms of credit had existed for centuries, it was the advent of the universal charge card in the mid-20th century that truly revolutionized consumer spending. Bloomingdale was instrumental in this transformation, notably through his involvement with the Diners Club. Established in 1950, Diners Club was one of the very first independent credit card companies, allowing cardholders to charge expenses at a variety of establishments rather than just one specific retailer. Bloomingdale served as chairman of Diners Club and played a crucial role in expanding its reach and acceptance, thereby laying much of the groundwork for the global credit card industry we recognize today. His vision helped transition society from a cash-and-carry economy to one built on plastic, fundamentally altering consumer behavior and the accessibility of goods and services.

The Vicki Morgan Scandal

Despite his significant business achievements and his esteemed position in society, Alfred Bloomingdale's later years became inextricably linked to a sensational public scandal. This involved his relationship with Vicki Morgan, a young woman who was his mistress for several years. The affair, which had been kept discreet during his lifetime, exploded into the public consciousness following his death on August 23, 1982. Morgan subsequently filed a high-profile palimony lawsuit against Bloomingdale's estate, asserting that he had promised to provide for her financially for life. The details that emerged during the legal proceedings, combined with intense media interest, revealed a complex and often troubling personal life hidden beneath the veneer of his public persona. The scandal reached a tragic crescendo when Vicki Morgan was brutally murdered in 1983, a crime that further amplified the notoriety surrounding her relationship with Bloomingdale and ensured his name remained associated with the controversial affair long after his passing. This unfortunate chapter became a cautionary tale about wealth, power, and private lives exposed to public judgment.

FAQs About Alfred S. Bloomingdale

Who was Alfred S. Bloomingdale?
Alfred Schiffer Bloomingdale was an American businessman and heir to the Bloomingdale's department store fortune. He is widely recognized for his significant role in the development of the modern credit card and was also known for his controversial personal relationship with his mistress, Vicki Morgan.
What was his connection to Bloomingdale's department store?
He was an heir to the fortune associated with Bloomingdale's, the iconic department store founded by his great-uncles, Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale, in New York City in the late 19th century.
Why is he called the "father of the credit card"?
Alfred S. Bloomingdale earned this moniker due to his instrumental role in the early development and popularization of the multi-purpose charge card, particularly through his involvement as chairman of Diners Club, one of the pioneering universal credit card companies established in 1950. His efforts helped make credit cards a ubiquitous tool for consumer finance.
Who was Vicki Morgan?
Vicki Morgan was a young woman who was Alfred S. Bloomingdale's mistress for several years. Their clandestine relationship became the subject of a highly publicized scandal after Bloomingdale's death when Morgan filed a palimony lawsuit against his estate. She was tragically murdered in 1983.
What was the nature of their relationship and the resulting scandal?
Bloomingdale and Morgan had a long-term extramarital affair. After his death, Morgan filed a lawsuit claiming he had promised to support her for life. This legal battle, combined with Morgan's subsequent murder, brought their relationship into the public eye, revealing details that created a significant social and legal scandal for the Bloomingdale family and became a subject of widespread media fascination.