Came accross an interesting piece about an 85 year old Duchess in Spain, who is marrying a man 24 years younger. This in itself isn't news but what makes this story interesting is that the Duchess Maria del Rosario Cayetana Alfonsa Victoria Eugenia Francisca Fitz-James is a multi-millionaire, and to underline that their relationship is based on real love, she is giving away all her worldly possessions including big buckeroonies.
The Duchess, who is one of the wealthiest women in Spain, is estimated to be worth between $850 million and $5 billion, give or take a million or two, and one could see how the wealth could add to her attractiveness ("Oh Eleanor - you're such a cynic!"). Hence the decision to give away all her worldly possessions to prove to the world that love will pay the bills...or at least that her relationship with one Alfonso Diez, a civil servant is based on something else other than money and all that it can buy.In addition, her six offspring aren't crazy about the forthcoming nuptials and this was the basis for her decision. Really, in the end, the kids/grandchildren will be the real beneficiaries, being the recipients of her fortune.
"Alfonso doesn't want anything. All he wants is me," she had commented regarding their relationship earlier in the year.
Don't want to sound cynical but one wonders if this was before or after Alfonso was made aware that they would be living on love, alone. Thinking further about their relationship, why bother marrying at all? Why not just live together as many people do these days?
A further thought (too much time on my hands, obviously) in as far as the wedding is concerned. Having not been invited to "the wedding" (Will and Kate)...that is to say, my invitation having been lost in the mail, perhaps - just perhaps - an invitation will be/could be/might be forthcoming to this one? I mean - what would one wear if one was invited to a wedding of a multi-millionaire-ess Spanish Duchess who will have a modest affair having given away her fortune? I shall be checking my mail box in the event that an invitation could be wedged inside.
According to a report in a Spanish newspaper, her eldest son, Carlos, inherits the Liria Palace in Madrid and the Monterrey Palance in Salamanca, as well as the family fortune. Her only daughter, Eugenia, inherits an estate in Ibiza and a further 600 acres near Seville.
The duchess has been friends with Diez for several years. There were rumors of a wedding in 2008 but her children nixed the idea of marriage. Will be looking for wedding updates to see if the nuptials will actually take place. Wonder if Debrett's has a section on attending Spanish weddings of Spanish royalty that were wealthy give away their fortune for love...
UPDATE: October 5: the nuptials have indeed taken place. The Duchess wore a salmon, shin-length dress by Spanish designers Victorio y Lucchino. The bride expressed her happiness in an impromptu dance to the delight of onlookers.
Photos: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2045627/Duchess-Alba-marries-toyboy-Alfonso-Diez-lavish-wedding-ceremony.html
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Hugh Hefner is in love - again
Is this news we really want to know? The founder of Playboy, Hugh Hefner, who has reached the ripe old - accent on old - age of 84, is smitten to coin an old word. The object of his affection is one former Playboy Playmate, Crystal Harris, who happens to be 24 years old and a model/singer. He says he's really in love in spite of a huge (my choice of words) age difference. Interesting that in the past, Hugh has always focused his affections on former Playboy models but of course he dates these types because he enjoys their stimulating intellectual rapport. Wink-wink...but I digress.
According to Hefner, he gave Crystal a ring on Christmas Eve while the two were watching a movie. A movie - how exciting - and there's no information about which film they were watching, whether they were eating popcorn or whether Hugh fell asleep. I mean, the man is 84 after all!
The engaged couple met in 2008 at the Playboy Mansion (where else) during a Halloween party. Did I mention that Harris happens to be December 2009 Playmate and served as Playboy mag's 2010 Miss January? In an interview, Harris called living with Hefner at the Mansion 'amazing.' She also explained to anyone who would believe it that she wasn't after Hef for his money. "I have my own career going." Uh-huh...sure...
Statistically and for those people keeping track, this is the 3rd time Hef is marching to the alter. He had been dating twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon while dating Harris. Thinking ahead, when Crystal is 84, Hugh will be 144.
According to Hefner, he gave Crystal a ring on Christmas Eve while the two were watching a movie. A movie - how exciting - and there's no information about which film they were watching, whether they were eating popcorn or whether Hugh fell asleep. I mean, the man is 84 after all!
The engaged couple met in 2008 at the Playboy Mansion (where else) during a Halloween party. Did I mention that Harris happens to be December 2009 Playmate and served as Playboy mag's 2010 Miss January? In an interview, Harris called living with Hefner at the Mansion 'amazing.' She also explained to anyone who would believe it that she wasn't after Hef for his money. "I have my own career going." Uh-huh...sure...
Statistically and for those people keeping track, this is the 3rd time Hef is marching to the alter. He had been dating twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon while dating Harris. Thinking ahead, when Crystal is 84, Hugh will be 144.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Woman chooses white to wed herself
Bridal gowns traditionally come in white as a symbol for purity in addition to the couple starting a new life together. Mind you these days wedding dresses also can be found in beige, off-white or even black but that as they say, is another story. So a woman living in Taiwan decided to get married, which in itself is nothing unusual. However what distinguishes her wedding from others is - wait for it - she is marrying herself on November 6.
According to the story, the bride, one Chen Wei-Yih, has gifted herself with a diamond ring (no information if it's an engagement ring since she would be engaged to herself) and booked a photographer to capture the occasion and guests. Furthermore, it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision and the rationale behind the idea is to show other single females in the 30-year age bracket that they weren't failures. Why stop at 30? Why not 40-year old females and so on, one wonders but I digress.
The almost-wed bride is planning a solo honeymoon to Australia where she plans to pursue a career as a coordinator. No mention what she wants to coordinate but perhaps she's thinking single wedding coordinater. Why not? There are other single females who might want to marry themselves! Who knows - this could become a world-wide trend.
"Do you, blah-blah, take yourself as your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?"
To get back to the wedding details, there will be bridesmaids and ushers plus 30 invited guests who will celebrate the self-wedding at a banquet hall following the ceremony. What is interesting is that Chen admitted she has had several boyfriends and relationships and was almost married plus she considers her self-wedding non-binding, which means she's free to marry someone other than herself, if the opportunity presents itself.
Here's a photo of the bride, replete in wedding dress: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/22/taiwan-bridetobe-plans-we_n_772431.html
Our world gets weirder and weirder...
According to the story, the bride, one Chen Wei-Yih, has gifted herself with a diamond ring (no information if it's an engagement ring since she would be engaged to herself) and booked a photographer to capture the occasion and guests. Furthermore, it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision and the rationale behind the idea is to show other single females in the 30-year age bracket that they weren't failures. Why stop at 30? Why not 40-year old females and so on, one wonders but I digress.
The almost-wed bride is planning a solo honeymoon to Australia where she plans to pursue a career as a coordinator. No mention what she wants to coordinate but perhaps she's thinking single wedding coordinater. Why not? There are other single females who might want to marry themselves! Who knows - this could become a world-wide trend.
"Do you, blah-blah, take yourself as your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?"
To get back to the wedding details, there will be bridesmaids and ushers plus 30 invited guests who will celebrate the self-wedding at a banquet hall following the ceremony. What is interesting is that Chen admitted she has had several boyfriends and relationships and was almost married plus she considers her self-wedding non-binding, which means she's free to marry someone other than herself, if the opportunity presents itself.
Here's a photo of the bride, replete in wedding dress: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/22/taiwan-bridetobe-plans-we_n_772431.html
Our world gets weirder and weirder...
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