The Royal Watcher - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Princess Ira von Fürstenberg passed away earlier this week at the age of 83! The illustrious Agnelli Heiress who married an enterprising Prince at 15, and later became an actress, jewellery designer, and PR Manager for Valentino!
The daughter of Prince Tassilo von Fürstenberg, from the Austrian branch of the House of Fürstenberg, and Clara Agnelli, the FIAT Heiress, Princess Virginia ‘Ira’ was born in Rome and grew up in Switzerland, Italy and Austria, before being educated in England after her parents separated. Princess Ira spoke several languages, including Italian, French, German, Spanish, and English, and has two younger brothers, Prince Egon, who was married to Diane von Fürstenberg, and Prince Sebastian.
In 1955, Princess Ira married Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, from the Spanish branch of the House of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, in a lavish wedding in Venice at the age of 15, while the groom was 31.
Prince Alfonso introduced the VW Beetle into Latin America and became known for his promotion of the Spanish resorts of Marbella and the Costa del Sol, with the couple living a glamorous life in the midst of the international jet set. The couple had two sons, Prince Christoph and Prince Hubertus, before their scandalous divorce in 1960. The following year, Princess Ira remarried to Brazilian playboy and Industrialist Francisco “Baby” Pignatari, divorcing three years later in 1964.
Following her divorces, Princess Ira began a career in fashion, collaborating with Diana Vreeland and posing for Helmut Newton and Cecil Beaton, later serving as a general director of Valentino before she founded a fashion house, the ‘Ira von Fürstenberg Collection’ in 1992. From the late 1960s, she began an acting career, beginning with ‘Matchless’ and eventually acting in 28 films. Princess Ira resided in Rome in an apartment overlooking the Qurinale, where she passed away earlier this week at the age of 82.
The Funeral of Princess Ira von Fürstenberg took place at the Basilica di Santa Maria in Montesanto, Chiesa degli artisti), in Rome on February 23rd. She will be be buried in the Fürstenberg Family Vault in Strobl am Wolfgangssee.