Chryss Goulandris
Encyclopedia
Chryss Goulandris, Lady O'Reilly (born 27 June 1950), also known as Christina or Chryssanthie, is one of the richest women associated with Ireland
, and holds both USA and Greek citizenship, she owns a major horse breeding operation located in Ireland, France
and other countries and has been Chairperson of the Irish National Stud
for over a decade. She is the wife of media and industrial magnate Tony O'Reilly
and is heavily involved with Ireland Funds
.
and operators, and Maria Lemos, from another Greek shipping dynasty. The family lived at the time in the Savoy Palace Hotel, with homes also in Greece, Connecticut, Switzerland and the Bahamas.
She grew up primarily in America (on Fifth Avenue, New York), with holidays spent in Greece, chiefly on the family's ancestral home island, Andros
. Her father died when she was three, and her only brother, Peter, recently born.
She studied French civilisation and art history at the Sorbonne
in Paris, then returned to New York, working in the family offices, her business activities ranging from silver futures trading to horse breeding.
She met Tony O'Reilly briefly, with her brother, in Manhattan
in 1989, at the Pierre Hotel, his usual base when staying in New York; he was in New York seeking funding for Waterford Wedgwood
. They next met in 1990, after O'Reilly invited her to the Heinz 57 race in Dublin that year (she knew Ireland because of horse racing and breeding and was already considering buying a stud farm there), and a relationship developed, with the two becoming a couple in Lyford Cay
the following Easter.
On September 14, 1991, they were married in the Bahamas, Goulandris's first marriage and O'Reilly's second. At the time, O'Reilly was said to be worth around $520 million and Goulandris $450 million, though some reports said the latter was worth more than the former .
In 1996, Tony O'Reilly bid $2.6 million for the 40 carats (8 g) diamond engagement ring of Jacqueline Onassis, to give as a gift to Goulandris, who had known the Onassis family, and she, with some Heinz
executives, made a naming gift in her husband's honor in 1999 with the O'Reilly Theater
in Pittsburgh.
near Kilcullen
, County Kildare
, which includes a horse stud facility and a Charolais cattle breeding operation. She managed the restoration of the Georgian house's upper floor and roof. Her official main residence is a house in the closed executive development of Lyford Cay
near Nassau, the Bahamas; othera are a complex on the southern coast of Ireland at Shorecliffe, Glandore
, County Cork
, and a Georgian townhouse on Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, and a chateau in Deauville
, France. She also owns property in New York.
Two of her uncles were involved in racing, one, George, winning the English Oaks in 1962 and another, Constantin, owning the La Louviere Stud in France. She bought her first racing horse, a yearling filly, in 1976, and in 1978, following her uncle Constantin's death, took over La Louviere Stud.
At the end of October 2006, she had around 100 horses in training, and 128 brood mares. Her operations have a policy of selling male foals, and one of those sold won the 1996 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while one retained was European champion miler in 1991. In all, she has bred 11 Group 1 winners, including two wins at Royal Ascot.
plc, with special responsibility for organizing commemorative events for the bicentenary of the death of Josiah Wedgwood
. She resigned this role in January 2009. She was a director of the Wedgwood Museum Trust until June 2007 and is now an honorary member.
She has been Chairperson of the O'Reilly Foundation
since its establishment, was invited by family friend Paul Newman
to be first Chairperson of the Barrettstown Castle Hole in the Wall Club.
for many years, especially with the annual Pittsburgh fundraising dinner. She is the President d'Honneur of the Ireland Fund of France, and funded since 1993 the bourse Chryss O'Reillly de l'Ireland Fund de France, a 2000 euro per annum scholarship for eight universities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, and holds both USA and Greek citizenship, she owns a major horse breeding operation located in Ireland, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and other countries and has been Chairperson of the Irish National Stud
Irish National Stud
The Irish National Stud is a Thoroughbred horse breeding facility based at Tully, Kildare, County Kildare, Ireland...
for over a decade. She is the wife of media and industrial magnate Tony O'Reilly
Tony O'Reilly
Sir Anthony Joseph Francis O'Reilly is an Irish businessman and former international rugby union player. He is known for his involvement the Independent News & Media Group, which he led from 1973 to 2009, and as former CEO and Chairman of the H.J. Heinz Company. He was the leading shareholder of...
and is heavily involved with Ireland Funds
The Ireland Funds
The Ireland Funds are a global fundraising network for people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland, dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland...
.
Life
She was born in the USA to John Goulandris, a wealthy member of a Greek family of ship ownersGreek shipping
The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience...
and operators, and Maria Lemos, from another Greek shipping dynasty. The family lived at the time in the Savoy Palace Hotel, with homes also in Greece, Connecticut, Switzerland and the Bahamas.
She grew up primarily in America (on Fifth Avenue, New York), with holidays spent in Greece, chiefly on the family's ancestral home island, Andros
Andros
Andros, or Andro is the northernmost island of the Greek Cyclades archipelago, approximately south east of Euboea, and about north of Tinos. It is nearly long, and its greatest breadth is . Its surface is for the most part mountainous, with many fruitful and well-watered valleys. The area is...
. Her father died when she was three, and her only brother, Peter, recently born.
She studied French civilisation and art history at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
in Paris, then returned to New York, working in the family offices, her business activities ranging from silver futures trading to horse breeding.
She met Tony O'Reilly briefly, with her brother, in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
in 1989, at the Pierre Hotel, his usual base when staying in New York; he was in New York seeking funding for Waterford Wedgwood
Waterford Wedgwood
Waterford Wedgwood plc is the former holding entity for a group of companies headquartered in Ireland, which specialised in the manufacture of high quality china, porcelain and glass. The group was dominated by Tony O'Reilly and his immediate family, and the family of Mr. O'Reilly's second wife,...
. They next met in 1990, after O'Reilly invited her to the Heinz 57 race in Dublin that year (she knew Ireland because of horse racing and breeding and was already considering buying a stud farm there), and a relationship developed, with the two becoming a couple in Lyford Cay
Lyford Cay
Lyford Cay is a private gated community located on the western tip of New Providence Island, Bahamas. Considered one of the world's wealthiest and most exclusive neighborhoods, the Lyford Cay Club was built during the latter part of the 1950s by prominent Canadian businessman Edward Plunkett Taylor...
the following Easter.
On September 14, 1991, they were married in the Bahamas, Goulandris's first marriage and O'Reilly's second. At the time, O'Reilly was said to be worth around $520 million and Goulandris $450 million, though some reports said the latter was worth more than the former .
In 1996, Tony O'Reilly bid $2.6 million for the 40 carats (8 g) diamond engagement ring of Jacqueline Onassis, to give as a gift to Goulandris, who had known the Onassis family, and she, with some Heinz
Heinz
Heinz may refer to:People with the surname Heinz:*Drue Heinz, American arts patron*H. John Heinz III , U.S. senator from Pennsylvania*H. John Heinz IV , eldest son of Senator John Heinz...
executives, made a naming gift in her husband's honor in 1999 with the O'Reilly Theater
O'Reilly Theater
The O'Reilly Theater is a 650-seat theater building, opened on December 11, 1999, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Located at 621 Penn Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District, the O'Reilly Theater is actually a three-part building: The theater , a large parking garage called Theater Square,...
in Pittsburgh.
Homes
Goulandris shares a range of residences with her husband. Although not tax resident in Ireland, one of her main homes is Castlemartin House and EstateCastlemartin House and Estate
Castlemartin is the name of a historic house and estate, and the townland in which they sit, on the banks of the River Liffey in Kilcullen, County Kildare, Ireland...
near Kilcullen
Kilcullen
Kilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, which includes a horse stud facility and a Charolais cattle breeding operation. She managed the restoration of the Georgian house's upper floor and roof. Her official main residence is a house in the closed executive development of Lyford Cay
Lyford Cay
Lyford Cay is a private gated community located on the western tip of New Providence Island, Bahamas. Considered one of the world's wealthiest and most exclusive neighborhoods, the Lyford Cay Club was built during the latter part of the 1950s by prominent Canadian businessman Edward Plunkett Taylor...
near Nassau, the Bahamas; othera are a complex on the southern coast of Ireland at Shorecliffe, Glandore
Glandore
Glandore |Cork]] city.The village has several pubs, with traditional music. It is a very popular holiday destination for Irish holiday makers in particular. Famous homeowners include Margaret Jay, former leader of the House of Lords, and Tony O'Reilly. The village yacht club's official headquarters...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and a Georgian townhouse on Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, and a chateau in Deauville
Deauville
Deauville is a commune in the Calvados département in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.With its racecourse, harbour, international film festival, marinas, conference centre, villas, Grand Casino and sumptuous hotels, Deauville is regarded as the "queen of the Norman beaches" and...
, France. She also owns property in New York.
Horse breeding
Goulandris owns, breeds, trains and races horses under a number of house names, including at least Castlemartin Stud (shared with her husband), Petra Bloodstock Agency, Skymarc Farm. Castlemartin Stud is situated on the estate around one of her principal homes, with operations in multiple countries, and her horses are trained in Ireland, England, Normandy in France and in the USA at a stud called Matagorda, with many trainers employed across the various locations.Two of her uncles were involved in racing, one, George, winning the English Oaks in 1962 and another, Constantin, owning the La Louviere Stud in France. She bought her first racing horse, a yearling filly, in 1976, and in 1978, following her uncle Constantin's death, took over La Louviere Stud.
At the end of October 2006, she had around 100 horses in training, and 128 brood mares. Her operations have a policy of selling male foals, and one of those sold won the 1996 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while one retained was European champion miler in 1991. In all, she has bred 11 Group 1 winners, including two wins at Royal Ascot.
National Stud
In 1993, Goulandris was appointed to the board of the Irish National Stud by the Minister for Agriculture, and in early June 1998, she was made its chairperson by Joe Walsh, in succession to David Shubotham, a post she continues to hold.Wealth
Estimates of her personal wealth have varied greatly, but have exceeded 400 million USD since the early 1990s. In June 2004, it was reported that she would be a major beneficiary of the sale of a family-owned unit of land in New York, assembled in the 1970s at a cost of about 25 million USD, for around 400 million USD and in 2005, her personal wealth was estimated at 442 million UK pounds.Other activities
In June 1994, she was appointed a non-executive director of Waterford WedgwoodWaterford Wedgwood
Waterford Wedgwood plc is the former holding entity for a group of companies headquartered in Ireland, which specialised in the manufacture of high quality china, porcelain and glass. The group was dominated by Tony O'Reilly and his immediate family, and the family of Mr. O'Reilly's second wife,...
plc, with special responsibility for organizing commemorative events for the bicentenary of the death of Josiah Wedgwood
Josiah Wedgwood
Josiah Wedgwood was an English potter, founder of the Wedgwood company, credited with the industrialization of the manufacture of pottery. A prominent abolitionist, Wedgwood is remembered for his "Am I Not A Man And A Brother?" anti-slavery medallion. He was a member of the Darwin–Wedgwood family...
. She resigned this role in January 2009. She was a director of the Wedgwood Museum Trust until June 2007 and is now an honorary member.
She has been Chairperson of the O'Reilly Foundation
O'Reilly Foundation
The O'Reilly Foundation is a personal charitable trust set up in 1998 by media magnate, and former CEO of Heinz, Sir Anthony "Tony" O'Reilly. Its function is the funding of educational projects; the two main work areas are capital developments at Irish colleges and an annual post-graduate...
since its establishment, was invited by family friend Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
to be first Chairperson of the Barrettstown Castle Hole in the Wall Club.
The Ireland Funds
Goulandris has been involved with The Ireland FundsThe Ireland Funds
The Ireland Funds are a global fundraising network for people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland, dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland...
for many years, especially with the annual Pittsburgh fundraising dinner. She is the President d'Honneur of the Ireland Fund of France, and funded since 1993 the bourse Chryss O'Reillly de l'Ireland Fund de France, a 2000 euro per annum scholarship for eight universities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Sources
- London, UK: The Racing Post, 15 July 2001, Michael Clower, "Lady O'Reilly Interview: Rebelline flies the flag for O'Reilly's worldwide empire" – "Lady O'Reilly, owner of Irish Oaks hope Rebelline, has 100 horses in training and 128 broodmares. Michael Clower went to see her at the Castlemartin stud and estate in County Kildare."