Porfirio Rubirosa: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
==Early life== |
==Early life== |
||
He was born in [[San Francisco de Macorís]], [[Dominican Republic]], the third and youngest child of an upper middle-class family. His parents were Pedro María Rubirosa, and his wife Ana Ariza Almanzar. The eldest child was named Ana, and the elder son was named César. His father, a womanizer, was at one time a "general", a leader of a group of armed men in the [[Cibao]] working with the government.<ref>Levy |
He was born in [[San Francisco de Macorís]], [[Dominican Republic]], the third and youngest child of an upper middle-class family. His parents were Pedro María Rubirosa, and his wife Ana Ariza Almanzar. The eldest child was named Ana, and the elder son was named César. His father, a womanizer, was at one time a "general", a leader of a group of armed men in the [[Cibao]] working with the government.<ref>Levy (2005), p. 6f</ref> Don Pedro advanced to become a diplomat, and after a stint at [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]], was sent as Chief of the Dominican Embassy to Paris in 1915.<ref>Levy (2005), p. 16</ref> Rubirosa thus grew up in [[Paris, France]] and did not return to the Dominican Republic until the age of 17 to study law, but soon would change course and enlist in the military. |
||
==Diplomat== |
==Diplomat== |
||
In 1931, Rubirosa met [[Rafael Trujillo]] at a country club. The "Benefactor" asked him to see him the next morning, and made him then a lieutenant of his Presidential Guard.<ref>Levy |
In 1931, Rubirosa met [[Rafael Trujillo]] at a country club. The "Benefactor" asked him to see him the next morning, and made him then a lieutenant of his Presidential Guard.<ref>Levy (2005), p. 37</ref> Their relationship lasted throughout their lives, went up and down, mostly close, but not without episodes of danger for Rubirosa, and defined his professional career when he became a diplomat of the Dominican Republic in 1936. |
||
In this role, he was sent to embassies first at Berlin (during the 1936 Olympic Games) and soon to Paris where he spent most of his time; he also served at the embassies at Vichy, Buenos Aires, Rome, Havana (witnessing the [[Cuban Revolution]]), and Brussels. He was a frequent visitor to New York, Washington, Florida, and California. "Rubi", who defined himself a ''Trujillista'', moved freely among the rich and famous, made the connections, and kept the secrets. At times, when his escapades stirred up too much notoriety, Trujillo would dismiss him – as from his post in Paris in 1953 – or move him to another place. Trujillo recognized what an asset Rubirosa was for his regime, remarking: "He is good at his job, because women like him and he is a wonderful liar."<ref>Levy |
In this role, he was sent to embassies first at Berlin (during the 1936 Olympic Games) and soon to Paris where he spent most of his time; he also served at the embassies at Vichy, Buenos Aires, Rome, Havana (witnessing the [[Cuban Revolution]]), and Brussels. He was a frequent visitor to New York, Washington, Florida, and California. "Rubi", who defined himself a ''Trujillista'', moved freely among the rich and famous, made the connections, and kept the secrets. At times, when his escapades stirred up too much notoriety, Trujillo would dismiss him – as from his post in Paris in 1953 – or move him to another place. Trujillo recognized what an asset Rubirosa was for his regime, remarking: "He is good at his job, because women like him and he is a wonderful liar."<ref>Levy (2005), p. 160</ref> |
||
After Trujillo's assassination on May 30, 1961, Rubirosa supported his son as successor and attempted to persuade [[John F. Kennedy]] to help his government. However, when [[Ramfis Trujillo]] and his family fled the Dominican Republic, Rubirosa's career came to an end. On January 2, 1962 the Council of State removed him from his unique appointment as "Inspector of Embassies".<ref>Levy |
After Trujillo's assassination on May 30, 1961, Rubirosa supported his son as successor and attempted to persuade [[John F. Kennedy]] to help his government. However, when [[Ramfis Trujillo]] and his family fled the Dominican Republic, Rubirosa's career came to an end. On January 2, 1962 the Council of State removed him from his unique appointment as "Inspector of Embassies".<ref>Levy (2005), p. 294f</ref> After he lost his [[diplomatic immunity]], he was questioned by the New York District Attorney concerning the disappearance of Trujillo opponents [[Sergio Bencosme]] in 1935 and [[Jesus Galíndez]] in 1956, but was never charged. {{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} |
||
[[File:Zsa Zsa Gabor (1954).jpg|thumb|At a social affair, c. 1954 accompanying [[Zsa Zsa Gabor]].]] |
[[File:Zsa Zsa Gabor (1954).jpg|thumb|At a social affair, c. 1954 accompanying [[Zsa Zsa Gabor]].]] |
||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
* Flor de Oro Trujillo, Rafael Trujillo's daughter, December 3, 1932–38 |
* Flor de Oro Trujillo, Rafael Trujillo's daughter, December 3, 1932–38 |
||
* [[Danielle Darrieux]], French actress, September 18, 1942 – May 21, 1947 |
* [[Danielle Darrieux]], French actress, September 18, 1942 – May 21, 1947 |
||
* [[Doris Duke]], American heiress, September 1, 1947 – October 1948; with marital gifts and final settlement he received an alimony ($25,000 per year until remarriage), a fishing fleet off Africa, several sports cars, a converted [[B-25]] bomber (''La Ganza''), and a 17th Century house at Rue de Bellechasse, Paris.<ref> |
* [[Doris Duke]], American heiress, September 1, 1947 – October 1948; with marital gifts and final settlement he received an alimony ($25,000 per year until remarriage), a fishing fleet off Africa, several sports cars, a converted [[B-25]] bomber (''La Ganza''), and a 17th Century house at Rue de Bellechasse, Paris.<ref>Levy (2005), p. 143, 154f</ref> |
||
* [[Barbara Hutton]], American heiress, December 30, 1953 – February 20, 1954; in the settlement he received a coffee plantation in the Dominican Republic, another B-25, polo ponies, jewelry, and she paid him a reported $2.5 million.<ref>Levy |
* [[Barbara Hutton]], American heiress, December 30, 1953 – February 20, 1954; in the settlement he received a coffee plantation in the Dominican Republic, another B-25, polo ponies, jewelry, and she paid him a reported $2.5 million.<ref>Levy (2005), p. 214</ref> |
||
* [[Odile Rodin]], French actress, age 19, October 27, 1956 – July 5, 1965 (his death). It is believe that he dated Marilyn Monroe for a short time. |
* [[Odile Rodin]], French actress, age 19, October 27, 1956 – July 5, 1965 (his death). It is believe that he dated Marilyn Monroe for a short time. |
||
==Polo and car racing== |
==Polo and car racing== |
||
After World War II, Rubirosa became engaged in two major passions, [[polo]] and [[car racing]], both expensive sports that would be supported in years to come by his American wives. He organized and led his own polo team ''Cibao-La Pampa'' that was an often successful contender for the ''Coupe de France'' cup. Rubirosa played polo until the end of his life. In the same period, Rubirosa started to acquire fast cars and form friendships with race car drivers. He would own a number of Ferraris. His first race at [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] took place in June 1950 with his partner [[Pierre Leygonie]], and his second race, this time with [[Innocente Baggio]], was four years later; in both races his car did not finish. Rubirosa participated in a number of races at [[Sebring International Raceway|Sebring]], all but once as a private entry.<ref>Levy |
After World War II, Rubirosa became engaged in two major passions, [[polo]] and [[car racing]], both expensive sports that would be supported in years to come by his American wives. He organized and led his own polo team ''Cibao-La Pampa'' that was an often successful contender for the ''Coupe de France'' cup. Rubirosa played polo until the end of his life. In the same period, Rubirosa started to acquire fast cars and form friendships with race car drivers. He would own a number of Ferraris. His first race at [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] took place in June 1950 with his partner [[Pierre Leygonie]], and his second race, this time with [[Innocente Baggio]], was four years later; in both races his car did not finish. Rubirosa participated in a number of races at [[Sebring International Raceway|Sebring]], all but once as a private entry.<ref>Levy (2005), p. 150ff</ref> |
||
Rubirosa entered one [[Formula One]] race, in 1955, the [[Bordeaux Grand Prix|Grand Prix de Bordeaux]] on April 25. He planned to drive his own [[Ferrari 500]], identical to the one which brought [[Alberto Ascari]] the {{F1|1952}} and {{F1|1953}} Drivers' World Championship.<ref> |
Rubirosa entered one [[Formula One]] race, in 1955, the [[Bordeaux Grand Prix|Grand Prix de Bordeaux]] on April 25. He planned to drive his own [[Ferrari 500]], identical to the one which brought [[Alberto Ascari]] the {{F1|1952}} and {{F1|1953}} Drivers' World Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statsf1.com/en/porfirio-rubirosa/engagementhc.aspx |title=Porfirio Rubirosa - Involvement Non World Championship |publisher=Stats F1}}</ref> However, he fell ill before the race and did not drive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statsf1.com/en/1955-hc/grand-prix-126.aspx |title=IV Grand Prix de Bordeaux |publisher=Stats F1}}</ref> |
||
==Death== |
==Death== |
||
| Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
==Sources== |
==Sources== |
||
* |
*{{citation|last=Levy|first=Shawn Anthony|author-link=Shawn Anthony Levy|title=The Last Playboy: The High Life of Porfirio Rubirosa|place=New York City, New York| publisher= Fourth Estate|year=2005|isbn=978-0-00-717059-3}} |
||
* |
*{{citation|last=Clase Hijo|first=Pablo |author-link=Pablo Clase Hijo|title=Porfirio Rubirosa: El Primer Playboy del Mundo|place=Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic| publisher=Biblioteca Taller|year=1978}} |
||
* |
*{{citation|last=Gabor|first=Zsa Zsa|author-link=Zsa Zsa Gabor|title=One Lifetime Is Not Enough|place=London, England|publisher=Headline Book Publishing|year=1991|isbn=0-7089-8694-3}} |
||
* |
*{{citation|last=Frank|first=Gerold|author-link=Gerold Frank|title=Zsa Zsa Gabor: My Story|place=Cleveland, Ohio|publisher=The World Publishing Company|year=1960}} |
||
* |
*{{citation|last=Collado|first=Lipe|author-link=Lipe Collado|title=La Impresionante Vida de un Seductor: Porfirio Rubirosa|place=Gazue, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic| publisher= Editora Collado, S.A.|year= 2005 |isbn=99934-29-20-1}} |
||
* |
*{{citation|last=Wall|first=Marty & Isabella|author-link=Marty & Isabella Wall|title=Chasing Rubi: The Truth about Porfirio Rubirosa, The Last Playboy|place=Santa Ana, California| publisher= Seven Locks Press|year= 2005 |isbn=978-0-9764765-2-8}} |
||
* {{citation|last=Wall|first=Marty & Isabella|author-link=Marty & Isabella Wall|title=Chasing Rubi: The Truth about Porfirio Rubirosa, The Last Playboy|place=Santa Ana, California| publisher= Seven Locks Press|year= 2005 |isbn=978-0-9764765-2-8}} |
|||
*{{citation|last=Wall|first=Marty & Isabella|author-link=Marty & Isabella Wall|title=Persiguiendo A Rubirosa: La verdad sobre Porfirio Rubirosa, El Ultimo Playboy|place=Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana|publisher=Impresora Corripio|year=2009}} |
*{{citation|last=Wall|first=Marty & Isabella|author-link=Marty & Isabella Wall|title=Persiguiendo A Rubirosa: La verdad sobre Porfirio Rubirosa, El Ultimo Playboy|place=Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana|publisher=Impresora Corripio|year=2009}} |
||
Revision as of 19:36, 5 June 2012
Porfirio Rubirosa | |
|---|---|
| File:Porfirio rub.jpg | |
| Born | January 22, 1909 |
| Died | July 5, 1965 (aged 56) |
| Occupation(s) | Diplomat, polo player, race car driver |
| Spouse(s) | Flor de Oro Trujillo (m.1932-1938; divorced) Danielle Darrieux (m.1942-1947; divorced) Doris Duke (m.1947-1951) Barbara Hutton (m.1953-1954; divorced) Odile Rodin (m.1956-1965; divorced) |
| Parent(s) | Pedro María Rubirosa and Ana Ariza Almanzar |
Porfirio Rubirosa Ariza (January 22, 1909 – July 5, 1965) was a Dominican diplomat and adherent of Rafael Trujillo. He made his mark as an international playboy, for his jet setting lifestyle, and his legendary prowess with women. Among his spouses were two of the richest women in the world.
Early life
He was born in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic, the third and youngest child of an upper middle-class family. His parents were Pedro María Rubirosa, and his wife Ana Ariza Almanzar. The eldest child was named Ana, and the elder son was named César. His father, a womanizer, was at one time a "general", a leader of a group of armed men in the Cibao working with the government.[1] Don Pedro advanced to become a diplomat, and after a stint at St. Thomas, was sent as Chief of the Dominican Embassy to Paris in 1915.[2] Rubirosa thus grew up in Paris, France and did not return to the Dominican Republic until the age of 17 to study law, but soon would change course and enlist in the military.
Diplomat
In 1931, Rubirosa met Rafael Trujillo at a country club. The "Benefactor" asked him to see him the next morning, and made him then a lieutenant of his Presidential Guard.[3] Their relationship lasted throughout their lives, went up and down, mostly close, but not without episodes of danger for Rubirosa, and defined his professional career when he became a diplomat of the Dominican Republic in 1936.
In this role, he was sent to embassies first at Berlin (during the 1936 Olympic Games) and soon to Paris where he spent most of his time; he also served at the embassies at Vichy, Buenos Aires, Rome, Havana (witnessing the Cuban Revolution), and Brussels. He was a frequent visitor to New York, Washington, Florida, and California. "Rubi", who defined himself a Trujillista, moved freely among the rich and famous, made the connections, and kept the secrets. At times, when his escapades stirred up too much notoriety, Trujillo would dismiss him – as from his post in Paris in 1953 – or move him to another place. Trujillo recognized what an asset Rubirosa was for his regime, remarking: "He is good at his job, because women like him and he is a wonderful liar."[4]
After Trujillo's assassination on May 30, 1961, Rubirosa supported his son as successor and attempted to persuade John F. Kennedy to help his government. However, when Ramfis Trujillo and his family fled the Dominican Republic, Rubirosa's career came to an end. On January 2, 1962 the Council of State removed him from his unique appointment as "Inspector of Embassies".[5] After he lost his diplomatic immunity, he was questioned by the New York District Attorney concerning the disappearance of Trujillo opponents Sergio Bencosme in 1935 and Jesus Galíndez in 1956, but was never charged. [citation needed]
.jpg){kind=link}
Marriages
Rubirosa was married five times, but never had any children. His wives were:
- Flor de Oro Trujillo, Rafael Trujillo's daughter, December 3, 1932–38
- Danielle Darrieux, French actress, September 18, 1942 – May 21, 1947
- Doris Duke, American heiress, September 1, 1947 – October 1948; with marital gifts and final settlement he received an alimony ($25,000 per year until remarriage), a fishing fleet off Africa, several sports cars, a converted B-25 bomber (La Ganza), and a 17th Century house at Rue de Bellechasse, Paris.[6]
- Barbara Hutton, American heiress, December 30, 1953 – February 20, 1954; in the settlement he received a coffee plantation in the Dominican Republic, another B-25, polo ponies, jewelry, and she paid him a reported $2.5 million.[7]
- Odile Rodin, French actress, age 19, October 27, 1956 – July 5, 1965 (his death). It is believe that he dated Marilyn Monroe for a short time.
Polo and car racing
After World War II, Rubirosa became engaged in two major passions, polo and car racing, both expensive sports that would be supported in years to come by his American wives. He organized and led his own polo team Cibao-La Pampa that was an often successful contender for the Coupe de France cup. Rubirosa played polo until the end of his life. In the same period, Rubirosa started to acquire fast cars and form friendships with race car drivers. He would own a number of Ferraris. His first race at 24 Hours of Le Mans took place in June 1950 with his partner Pierre Leygonie, and his second race, this time with Innocente Baggio, was four years later; in both races his car did not finish. Rubirosa participated in a number of races at Sebring, all but once as a private entry.[8]
Rubirosa entered one Formula One race, in 1955, the Grand Prix de Bordeaux on April 25. He planned to drive his own Ferrari 500, identical to the one which brought Alberto Ascari the 1952 and 1953 Drivers' World Championship.[9] However, he fell ill before the race and did not drive.[10]
Death
Rubirosa died early in the morning on July 5, 1965, when he crashed his Ferrari 250 GT into a chestnut tree after an all-night celebration at the Paris nightclub "Jimmy's" in honor of winning the Coupe de France polo cup.
References
Sources
- Levy, Shawn Anthony (2005), The Last Playboy: The High Life of Porfirio Rubirosa, New York City, New York: Fourth Estate, ISBN 978-0-00-717059-3
- Clase Hijo, Pablo (1978), Porfirio Rubirosa: El Primer Playboy del Mundo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Biblioteca Taller
- Gabor, Zsa Zsa (1991), One Lifetime Is Not Enough, London, England: Headline Book Publishing, ISBN 0-7089-8694-3
- Frank, Gerold (1960), Zsa Zsa Gabor: My Story, Cleveland, Ohio: The World Publishing Company
- Collado, Lipe (2005), La Impresionante Vida de un Seductor: Porfirio Rubirosa, Gazue, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Editora Collado, S.A., ISBN 99934-29-20-1
- Wall, Marty & Isabella (2005), Chasing Rubi: The Truth about Porfirio Rubirosa, The Last Playboy, Santa Ana, California: Seven Locks Press, ISBN 978-0-9764765-2-8
- Wall, Marty & Isabella (2009), Persiguiendo A Rubirosa: La verdad sobre Porfirio Rubirosa, El Ultimo Playboy, Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana: Impresora Corripio