By any measure, Kimberly Paige Bluhm has lived a remarkable life—one that moves effortlessly between diplomacy, art and philanthropy. A former actress who once shared the screen with Robert Redford in “Spy Game,” Kimberly now devotes her time to charitable causes that empower children, families and communities across the country and abroad. Warm, poised and unfailingly polite, she embodies the kind of gracious modernity that feels at once timeless and deeply human.
From Society’s Stage to Hollywood’s Lights
Born in Manhasset, Long Island and raised in Short Hills, New Jersey, Kimberly was always drawn to the world of performance and connection. Her stepfather, she recalled fondly, “always told me I was the best networker. I loved people and I had such a skill to put them together.” That innate ability to connect others would become a hallmark of her life.
After attending Morristown-Beard and Harvard’s continuing education program, Kimberly pursued acting, studying at the Lee Strasberg School in New York. She landed a role on “All My Children” in her early twenties, a dream come true that also offered an early glimpse into the complexities of Hollywood in the 1980s. “It was amazing on one hand,” she said, “but tough on the other. The environment back then could be uncomfortable, and I wasn’t willing to compromise my integrity. So I walked away.”
Her decision led to a new chapter behind the camera, working with legendary photographer Steven Meisel during one of fashion’s most electric eras. She helped manage Meisel’s studio, overseeing castings and coordinating shoots for designers like Versace and Prada—and even assisted on Madonna’s provocative “Sex” book, then wrapped in metallic foil and shrouded in secrecy. “We had to hide the prints in our bags and deliver them to her apartment. Everyone was terrified they’d be stolen.”
Those years, Kimberly said, were an education in art, personality and resilience. “There were so many big personalities. It taught me that there are all kinds of people, and how to navigate them.”
A Diplomatic Life Abroad
Fate would soon take her far from the fashion capitals of the world. Married to a U.S. ambassador, Kimberly moved to Budapest in the late 1990s, during the second Clinton administration. There, she immersed herself in diplomatic life and humanitarian work—traveling with Hungary’s First Lady to refugee camps and orphanages in the aftermath of the Kosovo War.
“We met children whose parents were killed or displaced. I gave grants on behalf of the State Department for textbooks, computers, nutritional programs,” she recalled. “That’s where I really developed my passion for helping children. They were so loving and talented. When we left, they’d chase after our van, calling out, ‘Kimberly, don’t leave!’ It pulled at my heart.”
While living abroad, she was cast in a Hungarian television drama, and serendipity later brought her back to acting when “Spy Game”— directed by Tony Scott and starring Brad Pitt and Robert Redford—was filmed in Budapest. Redford’s on-screen wife couldn’t make it, and Kimberly landed the role. “It was such a surprise. They put me on tape, sent it to Tony, and he hired me,” she said with characteristic modesty.
A Marriage of Minds and Missions
Today, Kimberly is married to billionaire Neil Bluhm, developer, casino magnate and one of the nation’s foremost philanthropists. The Bluhms divide their time between Chicago, Palm Beach, Miami and Aspen—each home reflecting their love of art, culture and community. Together, they have supported numerous causes, from Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute (to which Neil donated $55 million) to Jewish organizations and first responder charities across the country.
In Palm Beach they donate to the Police and Fire Rescue Foundation, and in Aspen, Kimberly has supported and served on the board of Jazzaspen Snowmass and they sit on the National Council of the Aspen Art museum. In every community they touch, the Bluhms are known for combining generosity with genuine engagement.
Kimberly, too, has carved her own philanthropic path—one guided by empathy and intention. “I try to do a few things and do them well,” she explained. “I’m a wife, a mother, and I travel a lot with my husband, so I choose organizations where I can really make an impact.”
Philanthropy with Heart
Among Kimberly’s most cherished commitments is the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in Palm Beach, a public high school that provides world-class arts education to students, many from underprivileged backgrounds. “I went for a tour with a friend,” she recalled. “We met eight students who shared their stories. I was blown away. The passion and talent were incredible. I said, ‘I’m putting my attention here.’”
In Miami, she serves as part of the Miami-Dade Impact Collective, a group of 30–40 women who pool resources and collectively vote on grants to benefit local organizations helping homeless families and children. “We visit the programs ourselves, see the results and get progress reports,” she said. “It’s inspiring to watch our contributions make a tangible difference.”
Her devotion to children and education stems from a worldview shaped by gratitude. “Helping disenfranchised kids—that’s what grabs my attention. They’re innocent. They deserve opportunity and hope.”
A Collector’s Eye
Art has always been central to Kimberly’s life, and their homes reflects both her refined taste and her appreciation for creativity. “Neil has an extraordinary collection, and I’ve developed my own. Art gives a space a soul.”
The couple’s shared love of culture extends to the Whitney Museum, where Neil serves on the board, and to their global travels, which often revolve around art fairs and exhibitions. In December, they attend Art Basel Miami, where their calendar fills with museum galas, private viewings and dinners with friends from the art world.
Seasons of a Beautiful Life
Kimberly and Neil’s life unfolds in rhythm with the seasons. Winters are spent between Palm Beach and Miami, where they host and attend fundraisers for their chosen causes. Spring and fall are for Chicago, where they maintain a residence overlooking the lake. July brings Aspen, where Kimberly once lived full-time and still has deep friendships. “Aspen is magical,” she said. “It’s a real community—intellectual, creative and close-knit. We hike, we entertain, we reconnect with friends.”
Summers occasionally include travel abroad—The South of France and Italy rank among her favorites. “We were recently in Venice. It was incredible,” she said. “The weather was perfect, the light was beautiful, and the people were warm.”
At year’s end, the couple’s routine is refreshingly personal. “I always have Thanksgiving with my mother, son, and brother with his family in Palm Beach,” she said. “Then Neil and I meet up in Miami for Art Basel.”
A Home for the Heart
For all her achievements, Kimberly remains grounded by family and faith. Her mother lives in Florida’s Vero Beach, her grown son in Chicago, just a few blocks away. “I can look out my window and see his building,” she laughed. “It’s wonderful.”
She speaks often of gratitude—for freedom, opportunity and the ability to give back. Having seen hardship firsthand, she carries perspective with grace. “Living in Hungary and meeting people who were prisoners in their own country while under the Russian occupation after World War 2 until 1989 made me realize how blessed we are to live in America. Even with all our problems, it’s still the greatest country in the world.”
Leading with Kindness
Whether she’s attending a fundraiser, hosting friends for dinner in Aspen, or mentoring young artists in Palm Beach, Kimberly leads with the same qualities that have defined her journey—warmth, curiosity and a genuine love for people.
“Kindness and connection matter,” she said simply. “I’ve learned that no matter where you are—in Hollywood, Budapest, or Palm Beach—it’s people who make the experience worthwhile.”
From the lights of “All My Children” to the halls of diplomacy and the classrooms of the Dreyfoos School, Kimberly Paige Bluhm has built a life defined by compassion, beauty and the art of giving back.
By Jeremy Murphy
