Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones facts for kids

María Aline Griffith (y) Dexter, Countess of Romanones (born May 22, 1923 – died December 11, 2017) was an American-born Spanish noblewoman, a well-known socialite, and a writer. She also worked as a spy for the United States during and after World War II. She was known for her style and was on the International Best Dressed List. As the wife of a Grandee of Spain (a very high-ranking Spanish noble), she was friends with many important world leaders and famous people, like Nancy Reagan, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Audrey Hepburn.

Aline Griffith: Early Life and Spy Work

Aline Griffith was born on May 22, 1923, in Pearl River, New York. She grew up in a family with six children. Her father, William Griffith, worked in insurance and real estate. Her mother was Marie Griffith.

Aline studied literature, history, and journalism at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. After college, she became a model in Manhattan. While working as a model, she was recruited by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The OSS was a special US agency during World War II that gathered information and carried out secret missions.

Aline was sent to Spain to work for the OSS in 1943. Her job involved sending secret messages in code. She also managed a small group of agents who watched a Spanish government official. Much of her important spy work happened during her social life. She would attend parties, often with Spanish nobles, and listen to gossip. She then reported what she heard to the OSS.

Family Life and Nobility

In 1947, Aline married Luis Figueroa y Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno. He was the Count of Quintanilla. His grandfather, Álvaro de Figueroa, had been the Prime Minister of Spain many times.

Aline and Luis had three sons:

• Don Álvaro de Figueroa y Griffith, born in 1949. He later became the 10th Count of Quintanilla and 4th Count of Romanones.
• Don Luis de Figueroa y Griffith, born in 1950. He became the 11th Count of Quintanilla.
• Don Miguel de Figueroa y Griffith.

After her husband's grandfather passed away, Aline and Luis became the Count and Countess of Romanones.

A Life of Parties and Influence

The Countess of Romanones lived in beautiful homes in Madrid, New York, and her country estate called Pascualete in Caceres, Spain. Pascualete had been in her husband's family for a long time, and she worked hard to restore it.

She was famous for hosting grand parties at her homes. Many important people and celebrities attended these parties. Guests included Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Donald Trump, Jacqueline Kennedy, the Duchess of Alba, the Duchess of Windsor, Baron Guy de Rothschild, Salvador Dalí, Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly.

In 2009, she was interviewed for a documentary film called Garbo: The Spy. This film was about Juan Pujol, a Spanish double agent who helped Britain during World War II.

Aline Griffith also owned a large collection of valuable jewels. She sold many of these jewels later in her life.

See also

In Spanish: Aline Griffith para niños