September 14, 1927
The Countess Torby, the morganatic wife of Grand Duke Michael, died suddenly today of heart failure at her home in London.
For some years, her house was guarded by the police," because of her fear of Nihilists."
The Countess was the daughter of Prince Nicholas of Nassau and his morganatic wife, Countess Sophie Merenberg, who was the daughter of the Russian poet Pushkin.
The Countess Torby was "a famous hostess, noted for her costly jewels." She and her husband spent most of their time in London and Staffordshire, where they had an estate. They formerly lived "in great pomp," at Kenwood House in Regent's Park, but their fortune was lost in the Russian revolution, reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.
In 1918, Grand Duke Michael was forced to sublease Kenwood House, and he found a position as a clerk with a firm near Westminster Abbey. The job paid £2000 a year. The Countess was able to manage their small home on her husband's meager salary.
The Countess is survived by her husband, and three children, Count Michael Torby, Lady Zia Werhner, and the Marchioness of Milford Haven.
No comments:
Post a Comment