Bronwen Astor
Encyclopedia
Bronwen Astor, Viscountess Astor (born Janet Bronwen Alun Pugh, 6 June 1930 in London
, England
) was the forerunner of today's supermodels. She was muse to the couturier Pierre Balmain
, who called her one of the most beautiful women he had ever met.
The daughter of Sir John Alun Pugh, Astor is generally known by her middle name (Bronwen). After the sudden death of a friend in 1951 she embarked on an inner journey of self discovery culminating in 1959 in a profound mystical experience.
On 14 October 1960 she married the 3rd Viscount Astor
, son of Nancy Astor
, the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons. Upon her marriage Bronwen became the mistress of Cliveden
, the mansion which her mother-in-law had made famous with her political salons. Within three years of her marriage Astor's world was turned upside down by the infamous Profumo Affair
, which brought down Prime Minister Harold Macmillan
's government. In 1966 Bronwen Astor's husband Viscount William Astor died prematurely, leaving her with two young daughters.
Astor opened her new home to the homeless and in 1983 trained as a psychotherapist. Her biography, Bronwen Astor: Her Life and Times, authored by Peter Stanford
, was published in 2000. After she left Cliveden she lived in Tuesley Manor, Godalming
, Surrey
, England
until 2002 when it was sold for £1.85million.
.
Janet Elizabeth Astor (born 1 December 1961)
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) was the forerunner of today's supermodels. She was muse to the couturier Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain
Pierre Alexandre Claudius Balmain was a French fashion designer. Known for sophistication and elegance, he once said that "dressmaking is the architecture of movement."...
, who called her one of the most beautiful women he had ever met.
The daughter of Sir John Alun Pugh, Astor is generally known by her middle name (Bronwen). After the sudden death of a friend in 1951 she embarked on an inner journey of self discovery culminating in 1959 in a profound mystical experience.
On 14 October 1960 she married the 3rd Viscount Astor
Viscount Astor
Viscount Astor, of Hever Castle in the County of Kent, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1917 for the financier and statesman William Waldorf Astor, 1st Baron Astor. He had already been created Baron Astor, of Hever Castle in the County of Kent, in 1916, also in the...
, son of Nancy Astor
Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor
Nancy Witcher Astor, Viscountess Astor, CH, was the first woman to sit as a Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons.Constance Markievicz was the first woman elected to the House of Commons in December 1918 after running for the Sinn Féin party in 1918 General Election, but in line...
, the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons. Upon her marriage Bronwen became the mistress of Cliveden
Cliveden
Cliveden is an Italianate mansion and estate at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England. Set on banks above the River Thames, its grounds slope down to the river. The site has been home to an Earl, two Dukes, a Prince of Wales and the Viscounts Astor....
, the mansion which her mother-in-law had made famous with her political salons. Within three years of her marriage Astor's world was turned upside down by the infamous Profumo Affair
Profumo Affair
The Profumo Affair was a 1963 British political scandal named after John Profumo, Secretary of State for War. His affair with Christine Keeler, the reputed mistress of an alleged Russian spy, followed by lying in the House of Commons when he was questioned about it, forced the resignation of...
, which brought down Prime Minister Harold Macmillan
Harold Macmillan
Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC was Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 January 1957 to 18 October 1963....
's government. In 1966 Bronwen Astor's husband Viscount William Astor died prematurely, leaving her with two young daughters.
Astor opened her new home to the homeless and in 1983 trained as a psychotherapist. Her biography, Bronwen Astor: Her Life and Times, authored by Peter Stanford
Peter Stanford
Peter James Stanford is an English writer, editor, journalist, and presenter. An alumnus of St Anselm's College, Birkenhead, he was the editor of The Catholic Herald, and a regular contributor to the New Statesman....
, was published in 2000. After she left Cliveden she lived in Tuesley Manor, Godalming
Godalming
Godalming is a town and civil parish in the Waverley district of the county of Surrey, England, south of Guildford. It is built on the banks of the River Wey and is a prosperous part of the London commuter belt. Godalming shares a three-way twinning arrangement with the towns of Joigny in France...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
until 2002 when it was sold for £1.85million.
Roman Catholicism
She is a convert to the Roman Catholic faith, serving as a eucharistic minister at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, PimlicoPimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
.
Children
- Hon.
Janet Elizabeth Astor (born 1 December 1961)
- Hon. Pauline Marian Astor (born 26 March 1964)
External links
- http://www.ashacentre.org/Bronwen.html