What is your idea of perfect happiness? Watching my girls laugh together. It is more short-lived than Id like, but it does happen! 

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Fame.

On what occasion do you lie? I really don't like to lie—I will withhold petty truths if they'll hurt someone's feelings. Or if someone has an ugly baby. 

What do you dislike most about your appearance? That I feel I should have to care about my appearance. 

What are your favorite names? Mom, babe, asshole. 

\What is your greatest extravagance? Vintage jewelry and finding treasures that I don't need in antique shows. 

What is your greatest fear? Drowning. The feeling of not being able to take a breath. I'm sure my therapist would have something to say about the deep psychological reasons for it. 

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Boudica, the ancient queen. 

When and where were you happiest? On a beach, watching my girls do cartwheels, with a Goombay Smash with a floater on top. 

Which talent would you most like to have? Playing the piano. 

134C3 View article pages

What is your current state of mind? Optimistic. 

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would erase my fear of dying, but I suppose that would be erasing some of my human condition. 

Which living person do you most admire? Gloria Steinem. 

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Going to Princeton. 

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? Not that this could be changed, but I wish my dad were still alive. 

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Impatience. 

What is your most marked characteristic? Loyalty. Or that I'm not pretentious. People are constantly shocked that I'm a normal person! 

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lying.

  What is your favorite journey? The one I am currently on—perpetual growth and nurturing. 

Which living person do you most despise? Anyone who profits off those less fortunate. 

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? "This too shall pass." 

What is your greatest regret? Having regrets. 

What or who is the greatest love of your life? My children. 

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? Shaquille O'Neal. 

What is your most treasured possession? My dog, Tuzi. 

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Fear, or the DMV. Which are often synonymous. 

Where would you like to live? London. 

What is your motto? Never give up, and keep growing. 

What is your favorite occupation? Comedy! Anything I can do that has comedy. 

What do you most value in your friends? Humor. Laughing with my girlfriends is one of my great joys. 

Who are your favorite writers? Michael Cunningham, Abraham Verghese, David Sedaris, Agatha Christie. 

Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Katniss Everdeen. 

Who are your heroes in real life? My business partner and the COO of my company, Karla De Bernardo. 

What is it that you most dislike? Feeling not good enough. And chia pudding. 

How would you like to die? Really old, but with all my marbles. Or if not all, most.