Divine’s Last Address:
250 W. 90th St., New York, NY 10024
A few months ago I posted about a short film called Last Address that features the exteriors of homes, apartments & lofts of New York artists who had died of AIDS. One of the artists featured was Dreamlander Cookie Mueller who died in 1989 just two months after AIDS also claimed her husband’s life.
Because of the film, I couldn’t help but wonder where Divine’s last address was when he died in 1988 at the Regency Hotel in Hollywood. The hotel was demolished a few years ago but Scott over at FindaDeath has a ton of info about that location. To top it off, he also has a picture of Divine’s death certificate which lists his cause of death (enlarged heart) AND his last address! (and possibly the apartment number, 10F2)
I didn’t think the address would be that simple to find but it didn’t matter anyway because I live in Ohio and had absolutely no plans to visit NYC. But it all came together rather insanely back in December when I went to Mink Stole’s Christmas shows. My friend that was with me on my 2nd Trashy Travels adventure had just moved to Philly and I was also dying to see the Pee Wee Herman Show on Broadway. So I figured I’d just drive to Baltimore and spend Thursday and Friday there for Mink’s two shows. On Saturday I would pick up my friend in Philly and drive the rest of the way to NYC for Pee Wee on Saturday night. My brother’s ex-girlfriend is the ONLY person I know in Manhattan and she was willing to let us crash at her place. Then I figured we’d get up early on Sunday, find Divine’s last address, drive my friend back to Philly and then get my ass back to Ohio so I could be at work Monday morning. As crazy as it all sounds, the plan worked!
But what REALLY blows my mind is that out of ALL of Manhattan, my brother’s ex-girlfriend lives right around the corner from Divine’s last address! And I’m not talking a few blocks, I’m seriously talking right around the corner. I couldn’t believe it when I mapped it out. So on Sunday morning we crossed her street and had breakfast at City Diner where I spotted Chris Cuomo (This is important because I was in NYC for less than 17 hours and I was hoping for at least one celebrity sighting.) Chris Cuomo…you’ll do just fine. When we were finished eating we walked outside and she pointed, “It’s right down here.” And she was right! The picture above is the exterior of the New West apartment building at 250 W. 90th Street, now forever remembered as Divine’s last address!
