Bapsybanoo Pavry facts for kids
Bapsybanoo Pavry, also known as Bapsy, Marchioness of Winchester, was born Bapsy Pavry in Bombay, India. Her father, Khursheedjee Pavry, was a respected Parsi Head Priest.
Bapsy moved to England when she was young. She aimed to become a well-known person in English high society. Famous artist Augustus John painted her several times, including in 1930.
Becoming a Marchioness
In 1952, Bapsy married Henry Paulet, 16th Marquess of Winchester. She then became the Marchioness of Winchester. People believe she was the only Indian Marchioness in history. Her husband was 90 years old at the time.
Soon after their marriage, the Marquess left Bapsy. He went to live with his former fiancée, Eve Fleming. Eve Fleming was the mother of James Bond author, Ian Fleming. The Marquess lived in Monte Carlo with Eve Fleming until he passed away in 1962.
Her Connection to Winchester
The Marchioness lived for a short time near Southampton, in a house connected to Winchester. Even though she lived in England for most of her life, she kept many of her Indian traditions. She expected people to show her respect because of her high social status.
Bapsy visited Winchester only once, right after her marriage in 1952. She felt that people did not welcome her properly, so she never went back. Despite this, when she died, she left a large sum of money, £500,000, to the town of Winchester. She wanted the money to be used to build a community centre in her name. This center was to be built on the grounds of the Winchester Guildhall. She hoped this would make the community acknowledge her.
Winchester City Council worked for 14 years to use the money as she wished. By then, the amount had grown to £1.4 million. Finally, in June 2009, a room in the Guildhall was updated and named after her. A large portrait of her in her formal robes, painted by Frank Salisbury, was placed there.
Supporting Education and Peace
After her brother passed away in 1985, the Marchioness created an award. It was called the Dasturdaza Doctor Jal Pavry Award for International Peace and Understanding. This award is given at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. It honors her brother, Dr. Jal Pavry. The award goes to students who write the best paper on international peace and understanding.
She also set up two special scholarships at Oxford University. These scholarships are named after her and her brother.
The Marchioness returned to India in 1985. She lived there for the rest of her life and passed away in 1995.
