Characters

Sally Draper Played by Kiernan Shipka

Sally Draper

Sally Draper is the oldest child of Don Draper and his ex-wife Betty, and the sister of their sons, Bobby and Gene. While her parents are still married, Sally often plays at being grown-up, dressing up like her mother and making cocktails for the adults at Betty and Don's parties.

Sally develops a special relationship with Betty's father, Gene Hofstadt, who lives with the Drapers for a few months before he dies. Gene buys Sally treats and even allows her to drive his car. At night, Sally reads to him from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and he explains some of the events to her.

Over ice cream one afternoon, Gene tells Sally that she's more like her grandmother -- who did drafting work in the twenties -- than Betty. "You can really do something," he says. "Don't let your mother tell you otherwise."

Sally's relationship with her mother deteriorates after her parents separate. One time, when Betty punishes her, Sally sasses back that Don left the family because Betty is "stupid and mean." A turning point for mother and daughter comes when Grandpa Gene dies. Sally acts out at school and refuses to bond with her new brother. Don surmises that Sally may be spooked because Betty named Gene after Sally's grandfather.

Sally's feelings for her father, whose pet name for her is Salamander, run deep. She accepts her new brother after Don comforts her and explains the child's place in their lives. When Don moves out of the family home for good, Sally takes the news hard. "Did you make him leave?" she asks Betty before running out of the room.