Duchess of Alba: Spain's richest aristocrat dies aged 88

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Duchess of Alba: Spain's richest aristocrat dies aged 88

(BBC) The Duchess of Alba, Spain's richest woman and one its most eccentric figures, has died aged 88 in Seville.

Maria del Rosario Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart had more titles than any other aristocrat and owned palaces and an extensive property portfolio as well as paintings by Goya and Velazquez.

She died at home on Thursday after a short illness.

The duchess is survived by her husband of three years, Alfonso Diez, who is 25 years her junior.

The Duchess of Alba was the head of one of Spain's oldest noble families.

Her coffin was taken to the city council building in Seville, where relatives, dignitaries and members of the public paid their respects.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30127337


-- BBC 2014-11-21

[siampolee]

This is world moving news. WOW

[AhFarangJa]

I always thought it was the younger woman marrying the rich eccentric male. ( purely for love of course )

[Scott]

I believe this lady was in the news when she married the younger guy.

[siampolee]

One can just imagine the honeymoon with the old dear singing ''Thanks For the memory.''

[daveAustin]

Where would you start with the make-up? Sad how it goes for those folks who aren't happy with their looks and go overboard with the cosmetic surgery.

[puck2]

This man, 25 years younger than the (rich) bride in her eighties, did a successful future trading.

But not available in any trading floor.

[CaptHaddock]

The woman is an advertisement for stiff inheritance taxes. For her wealth of an estimated $5 billion she never lifted a finger in her life. Neither did her parents or her immediate ancestors going back until some centuries ago when some forgotten Duke of Alba won some battle no one can remember. With Spain's current unemployment rate of 24% if, say, 98% of her unearned wealth were to go to pay for social benefits for the unemployed, the country would be a lot better off.

[Humberstone]

If you look at her title you will realize that she is descended from an illegitimate branch of the Stuart family. The 'Fitz-Stuart' part means that one of her paternal ancestors was James II of England.

[spidermike007]

The woman is an advertisement for stiff inheritance taxes. For her wealth of an estimated $5 billion she never lifted a finger in her life. Neither did her parents or her immediate ancestors going back until some centuries ago when some forgotten Duke of Alba won some battle no one can remember. With Spain's current unemployment rate of 24% if, say, 98% of her unearned wealth were to go to pay for social benefits for the unemployed, the country would be a lot better off.

And let us never forget that Spain stole more money than most other nations combined. Hers was a very bloody past. It is estimated that Spain stole hundreds of millions of ounces of gold from the Incas, and most of what existed in Mexico at that time, also. They absolutely decimated those civilizations. History should not be forgotten. This woman's family no doubt prospered from dead Aztecs, and dead Incans. They left behind an incredible trail of destruction. Most Spanish people were not required to work for nearly two centuries, as a result of the bloated treasury. Many wars were funded with this stolen gold.

[khunPer]

RIP – will be missed in the (gossip) media – perhaps she got ill and died from the disappointment over not becoming the new Queen of Scotland after the no-vote...?

[harryfrompattaya]

The woman is an advertisement for stiff inheritance taxes. For her wealth of an estimated $5 billion she never lifted a finger in her life. Neither did her parents or her immediate ancestors going back until some centuries ago when some forgotten Duke of Alba won some battle no one can remember. With Spain's current unemployment rate of 24% if, say, 98% of her unearned wealth were to go to pay for social benefits for the unemployed, the country would be a lot better off.

You forget to tell us she is a Rothchild too

[elgordo38]

Where would you start with the make-up? Sad how it goes for those folks who aren't happy with their looks and go overboard with the cosmetic surgery.

Did she ever star in The Lion King?

[elgordo38]

The woman is an advertisement for stiff inheritance taxes. For her wealth of an estimated $5 billion she never lifted a finger in her life. Neither did her parents or her immediate ancestors going back until some centuries ago when some forgotten Duke of Alba won some battle no one can remember. With Spain's current unemployment rate of 24% if, say, 98% of her unearned wealth were to go to pay for social benefits for the unemployed, the country would be a lot better off.

You forget to tell us she is a Rothchild too

One of the movers and shakers of the world

[copa8]

Who's better looking - Duchess of Alba or Donatella Versace (both post surgeries)?