Misty Henry

Assateague and Chincoteague Islands in Virginia are home to centuries-old wild ponies such as Phantom and her foal Misty. When young Marguerite Henry read about them in a book, she immediately wanted to visit and see these majestic animals for herself.

Misty was soon her pet and made numerous appearances at schools, movie theaters and libraries to promote Henry’s 1947 children’s novel Misty of Chincoteague.

Early Life and Education

Marguerite Breithaupt Henry was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her ability to create stories at age eleven inspired her to pursue writing as a career path; after graduation from Riverside High School she attended Milwaukee State Teachers College as well as University of Wisconsin before marrying sales manager Sidney Crocker Henry and taking his last name as part of their union.

Her passion for animals – particularly horses – was at the core of her success. Rather than endowing them with cartoon-like characteristics that appear humanlike, she gave them loyalty and determination that made their characters realistic characters. Furthermore, she valued historical accuracy in all her writing projects, conducting meticulous research.

Henry is perhaps best-known for Misty of Chincoteague, an account of wild ponies being round up on Assateague and Chincoteague islands for sale to the public, which won both a Newbery Honor Award and Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1961.

Professional Career

Misty developed her work ethic, resilience, and ingenuity on her family’s dairy farm. Later she applied these traits as a military spouse, homeschooling mother, and advocate for wounded veterans.

Misty is a Real Estate Broker who specializes in long-term property management, using her experience and education to establish trusting relationships between Owners and Tenants alike.

Misty of Chincoteague was inspired in part by a real event. Renowned author Marguerite Henry visited Clarence Beebe’s pony farm and, upon meeting Phantom and Misty, wanted to take them back with her back to Illinois as models for her next book. At first Clarence refused, but later agreed after Mrs. Henry promised to include his grandchildren Paul and Maureen in her story as potential buyers for Misty.

Achievement and Honors

Henry’s 1947 children’s novel Misty of Chincoteague won the Newbery Honor and has become a classic, with numerous adaptations and sequels as a result. It even inspired a 1961 film and sequels!

At first, a pack of centuries-old wild ponies on Chincoteague Island off Virginia and Maryland seems untouchable, but Paul and Maureen, two siblings living with their grandparents, work tirelessly to earn enough money for Pony Penning Day auction to purchase Phantom and his foal Phantom’s services at auction.

Misty was a 12-hand, palomino pinto pony born to Pied Piper (a chestnut pinto stallion) and Phantom (smoky black mare). Misty served as Henry’s inspiration in writing his famous book and as one of the main representatives for Chincoteague Ponies breed, touring extensively across schools, movie theaters, museums, libraries and horse shows for over 10 years with Henry as her owner and champion.

Personal Life

Once she graduated, Marguerite married Sidney Crocker Henry and together they purchased a small cottage on two acres in Wayne, Illinois named Mole Meadows where Marguerite wrote magazine articles and children’s books.

In 1946, Henry and her partner traveled to Chincoteague Island for its annual pony roundup and auction, where they met the Beebe family whose wild mare Phantom belonged to Misty’s foal Misty; Henry immediately took an interest in both animals, eventually writing and illustrating her first book for Pony Penning Day entitled Misty of Chincoteague (1947).

Henry continued writing and traveling, producing several popular books like Brighty of the Grand Canyon and Justin Morgan had a Horse. These films were made into movies after her death in 1990; one of her last wishes was that her ashes be scattered in the ocean by nieces and nephews of Henry’s.

Net Worth

Misty Copeland reportedly has an estimated net worth of $600,000.00 and enjoys multiple income sources. She serves as the face of Warby Parker and holds endorsement deals with companies such as Boss and Clarins. Furthermore, Misty is known for creating her own dancewear line called M by Misty.

She has appeared in multiple film and TV projects, such as “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” and the television show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Upcoming movie roles for this actor include Odile in Disney’s open-air production of Swan Lake.

As part of our effort to establish a company that will outlive Jim and Paula Henry, our Board will consist of seven members–two from the Henry family, two from Henry Organization, two from Henry Foundation and an at-large independent representative–to ensure we maintain management accountability to stakeholders while offering sound guidance through what promises to be an eventful energy landscape.