VIVA NOLA September 2019

complexion. Her mother
sparked Margarita’s eye for
fashion and loved to dress
her in the latest trends.
Inspired by Coco Chanel
and Jackie Kennedy, she
also made sure Margarita
was the center of attention
with the iconic Shirley
Temple look. Her love for
the arts was also instilled
in her at a young age. “I
remember sitting on my
daddy’s lap on Sundays
in La Romana in the
Dominican Republic and
listening to the opera on
the Cuban radio station.”
Margarita moved to New
York City in the seventies.
She worked in bilingual
decided to leave New York
and move down to New
Orleans. She helped her
brother, artist Lorenzo
Bergen, open a fine art
gallery in the French
Quarter. They built up
Bergen Galleries and
worked together until she
became the sole proprietor
in the early 80’s. Owning
the gallery was the key to
fully becoming the socialite
she was meant to be.
“People often came to ask
for art donations from the
gallery for their fundraisers
and they gave me tickets to
the most fabulous parties
in town!”
Her mother’s fashion
influence lead Margarita
Margarita Bergen with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell during Mardi
Gras Ball.
“People tell me the party doesn’t start
until I show up”.
education and government,
while regularly attending
the opera, the theatre, the
ballet, and the symphony.
She then began meeting
numerous celebrities,
politicians and artists who
passed through the Big
Apple. “I was the token
minority. There wasn’t a
party I wasn’t invited to.
I had to leave my jobs in
education and government
because my co-workers
were jealous that I was
the one who got the
invitations.”
After breaking up with
her then-boyfriend, she
Viva NOLA Magazine - Page 23
to develop her own style
and add her signature
flair. Her collection of
dresses, costumes, and
wigs is extensive, but her
collection of hats takes the
cake. Over three hundred
hats and fascinators make
for a dazzling display that
gets the spotlight at every
event. In fact, each outfit
begins with the selection
of a hat and ends with her
essential accessories: her
camera and her dog, Lolita
(preceded by the famous
Chiquita), who is also
dressed for the occasion.
As a cultural advocate,
King Felipe of Spain with Margarita Bergen during his visit to New Orleans
for the city’s Tricentennial Celebrations.
Margarita has participated
in several delegations,
boards and committees.
During the administration
of Mayor Barthelemy in
New Orleans, she partook
in cultural missions and
traveled to 17 countries,
including Mexico, Japan,
and Brazil. She was also
appointed to the boards
of the French Market
Corporation and the French
Quarter Festival.
A philanthropist at heart,
Margarita participates in
many local fundraisers to
benefit multiple causes,
including cancer awareness,
Catholic Charities and the
arts. Margarita’s love of
causes and people lead to
the founding of her famous
Roundtable events 14 years
ago. These luncheons, held
at the Bourbon Orleans,
attract all the who’s who in
Louisiana, giving attendees
a perfect opportunity to
mingle, network and make
important connections.