Joan Payson died in 1975. Charles Payson inherited his widow's stake in the team, but took little interest in baseball. As a result, de Roulet became the main representative for the Payson interests.[3] She was elected team president of the Mets and named to its board of directors.[4] She became the first woman to direct the day-to-day operations of a Major League baseball franchise.[5] She succeeded M. Donald Grant as chair of the board when he was forced out in 1978.[5]
Charles Payson sold the franchise to Doubleday & Company in 1980. At the time of the sale, de Roulet was succeeded as president by Fred Wilpon.[6] De Roulet remains a fan of the team, attending games after the sale.[7]
Personal life
In 1951, she married Vincent de Roulet.[8] Her husband owned a printing business, and died in 1974.[9] The couple had three children:
Whitney de Roulet, who married Clark Lewis Bullock.[10][11]
Bebe de Roulet
Daniel de Roulet, who worked in the Mets' front office during de Roulet's presidency.[5]
De Roulet founded the Patrina Foundation,[9] which supports education and social services for women.[12] She serves on the board of governors of New York Hospital and North Shore University Hospital, on which she is vice chairman of the board of trustees.[9] She has sold artwork collected by her mother, including paintings by Pablo Picasso, donating the proceeds to charity.[9]