Today marks the Anniversary of the Birth of Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, who was born on this day in 1906! The former Miss France who became the fourth wife of the Aga Khan and a beloved philanthropist in her decades-long widowhood, the Begum possessed a spectacular Jewellery Collection, which included this Bulgari Turquoise Necklace!
Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan’s Diamond Necklace | Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace | Bulgari Turquoise Necklace
Around the time she was widowed in 1957, Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan acquired this striking Bulgari Turquoise and Diamond Necklace and Bracelet, which was joined by a pair of ear clips created by Pierre Sterlé in the early 1960s who also altered the necklace to its current state.
Begum Om Habibeh most notably wore the Bulgari Turquoise Necklace at the legendary ’My Fair Lady Ball’ organized by Hélène Rochas in the Bois de Boulogne in 1965, with the bracelet worn in her elaborate hairstyle.
Begum Om Habibeh also wore the Turquoise Necklace when she presented a diadem to Marie-Claude Abalain, as First Prize at the Debutantes’ Ball in Cannes in December 1965.
The Bulgari Turquoise Necklace was also worn by Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan at the Banquet at the Marble Palace of Teheran to celebrate the Shah’s Birthday and Coronation in 1967.
Begum Om Habibeh also wore the Bulgari Turquoise Necklace at the Cannes Film Festival in 1970.
After the Begum Aga Khan passed way in 2000, as per her wishes, she willed that all her estate to be donated to the Aga Khan Foundation, the Bellerive Foundation, and her own Om Habibeh Foundation. The lots were auctioned at Sotheby’s in Geneva in November 2000 and included the Bulgari Turquoise Suite, alongside her Diamond Necklace and Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace.
The Bulgari Turquoise Suite seems to have been acquired by the Bvlgari Heritage Collection or a private collection, and was displayed at the Kremlin in 2018.
Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan’s Diamond Necklace | Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace | Bulgari Turquoise Necklace
Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan’s Diamond Necklace
Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace
Bulgari Turquoise Necklace
Emerald Suite
Ogden Mills Boucheron Tiara
Cartier Emerald Suite
Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace
Jewels at Auction
