February 10, 1928
A Bridgeport, Connecticut judge today ruled that the former Elsie Moore of Greenwich, is a citizen of the United States, and was "within her legal rights" when she filed suit for divorce against her husband, Don Marino Torlonia, Prince of Civitcella-Cesi, reports the New York Times.
The princess today was granted a divorce on the grounds of her husband's misconduct. The judge ruled "if she is here in violation of immigration laws that is for the Federal Government to act upon, and that Govermnet has already made her an American citizen, presumably with full knowledge of the facts, thus restoring to her what she lost by her marriage."
The Princess also received custody of her three minor children: Alessadndro, 16; Christina, 15, and Marino, 10. Christina is a student at Rosemary Hall. Greenwich. The two boys are now with their mother in the south.
Judge Booth noted in his decision that the Princess' "allegation of misconduct" on the part of Don Marino was proved to be true. Don Marino, the Judge noted, "did not avail himself of the opportunity" to dispute his wife's charge that he "was unduly friendly with Marie Lorenzino of Rome," described as '23 and pretty.'"
Don Marino contested the divorce on the ground that his estranged wife was not a legal resident of Connecticut "and was subject to the laws of Italy." Judge Booth disagreed with Don Marino's statement.
The marriage between Elsie Moore, then 19, and Don Marino Torlonia, too place at the bride's home at Bellhaven, Greenwich, on August 25, 1907.
She is the daughter of the late Charles A Moore. The Princess left Rome and returned with her children to the United States in 1925.
4 comments:
Isn't she Glenn Close's aunt or grandmother or something?
Elsie's youngest daughter, Marina, married Francis Xavier Shield, a tennis player. They had a son, Francis Xavier, who was the father of actress Brooke Shields.
Elsie Moore's brother, Charles Moore had a daughter, Bettine, who married William Taliaferro Close ... the parents of Glenn Close.
Here's another celeb connection: William Close's father was Marjorie Merriweather Post's first husband. I think one of their descendants married Prince Cantacuzene.
(Amazing that I can recall what I read in a bio years ago, but can't remember where I parked at the grocery store. :-) )
Edward and Marjorie had a daughter, Adelaide who had a daughter, Melissa, who married Rodion Cantacuzene, who was a grandson of Julia Grant.
Post a Comment