Clarissa Eden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Countess of Avon
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Clarissa Eden in 1960
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Anne Clarissa Spencer-Churchill
28 June 1920 Kensington, London, England
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| Died | 15 November 2021 (aged 101) London, England
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| Known for | Former spouse of the prime minister of the United Kingdom (1955–1957) |
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Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon (born Anne Clarissa Spencer-Churchill; June 28, 1920 – November 15, 2021) was an English writer. She was best known as the second wife of Anthony Eden, who was the British prime minister from 1955 to 1957.
Clarissa married Anthony Eden in 1952. She became Lady Eden in 1954 and then Countess of Avon in 1961. She was also the niece of the famous wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill. In 2007, when she was 87, she wrote a book about her life called From Churchill to Eden.
When Lady Wilson of Rievaulx passed away in 2018, Clarissa became the oldest living wife of a British prime minister. She turned 100 in 2020, making her the second wife of a prime minister to reach this age. She also lived longer than four other prime ministers' wives who came after her.
Contents
Clarissa's Early Life
Clarissa Spencer-Churchill was born in London in 1920. Her father was Major Jack Spencer-Churchill and her mother was Lady Gwendoline Bertie. She had two older brothers, John and Henry.
Clarissa went to Kensington Preparatory School and then Downham School. She didn't enjoy boarding school and left early. She later said she wanted to be independent and explore the world.
Adventures in Paris, Italy, and London (1937–1939)
In 1937, Clarissa went to Paris to study art. She made friends with writers and enjoyed the city's social life. She also traveled through Italy, seeing beautiful old paintings and art.
When she returned to London, she studied at the Slade School of Fine Art. She was known for her unique style, even wearing a trouser suit like the famous actress Marlene Dietrich. In 1938, she was a "debutante," meaning she was introduced to society. However, she preferred mixing with older, more experienced people.
Clarissa knew some interesting people, including Donald Maclean, who later became a double agent. She also knew Guy Burgess, another spy. Clarissa denied being close to Burgess, describing him as polite but distant.
In 1939, Clarissa spent more time in Paris. She then traveled to Romania just before World War II began. She managed to get back to England on one of the last flights from Bucharest.
Working During World War II
In 1940, Clarissa went to Oxford to study philosophy. She didn't have formal qualifications, but she was very bright. She met many important thinkers and was known for being very clever.
Later, Clarissa moved back to London and worked for the Foreign Office. Her job was to decode secret messages. Her future husband, Anthony Eden, was the head of the Foreign Office at that time. She even lived in a rooftop room at the Dorchester Hotel, which was cheaper because of the risk of bombings during the war.
Life After the War
After the war, Clarissa worked for a film producer named Sir Alexander Korda. She also wrote reviews for Vogue fashion magazine. She met famous actors like Orson Welles and Paulette Goddard.
She also worked for a magazine called Contact. Through this job, she met many interesting people, including the cookery writer Elizabeth David. Clarissa became friends with people from different backgrounds, from high society to artists and writers. One person, Margaret Thatcher, who later became prime minister, met Clarissa in 1954 and thought she was "most colourless."
Clarissa's Memoir: From Churchill to Eden (2007)
| Editor | Cate Haste |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Weidenfeld & Nicolson |
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Publication date
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25 October 2007 |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 288 |
| ISBN | 978-0-297-85193-6 |
Clarissa had said she wouldn't write a memoir until after her death. However, a book about her life, edited by Cate Haste, was published in 2007. Clarissa decided to work with Cate because she was impressed by her enthusiasm.
The book's cover showed a young, thoughtful Clarissa with a cigarette, giving her a cool and artistic image. Critics generally liked the book. One historian called it "the last great British autobiography of the pre-war and wartime era."
Friends and Acquaintances
Clarissa lost both her parents when she was in her mid-twenties. This made her quite independent for a young woman of her time. She had many admirers and a wide circle of friends.
Her friends included famous novelists like Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford, painter Lucian Freud, and choreographer Frederick Ashton. The writer James Pope-Hennessy even based a character on her in his book London Fabric. Photographer Cecil Beaton was a close friend and introduced her to the reclusive actress Greta Garbo.
Clarissa was also a long-time friend of Ann Fleming, the wife of novelist Ian Fleming (who created James Bond). Ann Fleming and the composer Noël Coward were godparents to the Flemings' son. Clarissa also knew important politicians like Roy Jenkins.
Relationship with Anthony Eden
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Clarissa first met Anthony Eden in 1936 when she was 16. He was 23 years older and already a well-known politician. She noticed his unusual pinstriped tweed trousers.
Winston Churchill and the War Connection
They met again during the war because of their social circles and Clarissa's uncle, Winston Churchill, who became prime minister in 1940. Clarissa was sometimes close to the center of power. For example, she was present when Churchill had lunch with her parents during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. After her mother died in 1941, she stayed at Chequers, the prime minister's country home.
Marriage to Eden
Clarissa and Anthony Eden's relationship grew after they sat next to each other at a dinner party around 1947. Eden was married at the time, but he divorced his first wife in 1950.
Clarissa married Eden in a civil ceremony in London on August 14, 1952. He had become Foreign Secretary again in 1951. Their wedding attracted large crowds, like a celebrity event. The reception was held at 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's official residence, which was her uncle Winston Churchill's home.
Some people criticized the marriage because Eden was divorced. However, many others, including Harold Macmillan, thought the criticism was unfair. The marriage was very happy and lasted until Eden's death in 1977.
Married Life
The first five years of their marriage were busy with Eden's political career. He also had health problems from a surgery in 1953. Clarissa played an important role in making sure his health issues were properly diagnosed.
Clarissa was interested in world affairs. She even invited Cecil Beaton and Greta Garbo to visit 10 Downing Street in 1956. They drank vodka, and Clarissa mentioned that her husband was kept awake by the sound of motor scooters.
Clarissa and Anthony Eden did not have children together. Eden's son from his first marriage, Nicholas, became the 2nd Earl of Avon but sadly passed away in 1985.
Eden's Time as Prime Minister
Winston Churchill had told Clarissa in 1952 that he wanted to retire. However, it wasn't until April 6, 1955, that Anthony Eden became prime minister. He soon won a general election, with his party getting a large percentage of votes.
Eden's time as prime minister lasted less than two years. He faced some criticism from parts of the press.
Hostess at Downing Street and Chequers
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As the hostess at 10 Downing Street, Clarissa organized official parties. She brought in new caterers, which surprised guests like the US Secretary of State. Her plans to redecorate the house in an older style were not completed because their time there was short.
Clarissa wasn't very fond of Chequers, the prime minister's country home. But she took a great interest in the garden, planting old-fashioned roses and more fruit trees. In 1956, she politely asked a farm worker on the estate to hang laundry where visitors couldn't see it. This story was picked up by a newspaper and caused some controversy.
In April 1956, Clarissa hosted a dinner at Chequers for Soviet leaders Nikita Khrushchev and Nikolai Bulganin. Khrushchev made a blunt remark about Soviet missiles, saying they could easily reach Britain.
The Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis happened in 1956. It was a difficult time for Britain and for Eden's government. Clarissa was in the House of Commons gallery during a heated debate. She later attended an anti-government protest in Trafalgar Square, but left when people recognized her.
"The Suez Canal flowing through my drawing room"
During the Suez Crisis, Clarissa made a famous remark to a group of women. She said, "in the past few weeks I have really felt as if the Suez Canal was flowing through my drawing room." This phrase became very well-known and is still quoted today to describe a difficult situation affecting one's personal life. Clarissa felt that she and her husband were too innocent about how the press worked.
Anthony Eden wrote in his memoirs that he often found comfort in his wife's green drawing room during the crisis.
Clarissa's Influence
Some people thought Clarissa had too much influence over her husband's political decisions. For example, one person called it "Clarissa's war" during the Suez Crisis. Another claimed she encouraged Eden to take a tougher stance during a rail strike.
However, many historians believe that Clarissa was mainly a supportive and devoted wife. She was one of the few people Eden could truly confide in during the difficult Suez period. She helped him manage his health and work habits.
Clarissa herself said she didn't feel she "knew enough about what was going on to try and interfere in any way." She focused on supporting her husband and keeping him informed.
After the Suez Crisis
Goldeneye
After the Suez Crisis, Anthony Eden's health was very poor. Clarissa decided they needed a rest. They went to "Goldeneye," the simple bungalow of novelist Ian Fleming (creator of James Bond) in Jamaica. Many thought this was a bad political move.
Their neighbor in Jamaica was Noël Coward, who found Goldeneye "perfectly ghastly." He sent them fancy food and biscuits. The trip brought a lot of publicity, which some say helped boost Ian Fleming's book sales. Clarissa was surprised by the success of the James Bond books.
Eden's Resignation
The Edens returned to England just before Christmas 1956. In January 1957, Eden told the Queen he intended to resign as prime minister. He formally resigned on January 9. Clarissa wrote to R. A. Butler, who was considered for the role, saying politics was a "beastly profession."
Clarissa was said to be very critical of Harold Macmillan, who became the next prime minister. She believed he had been too quick to back down during the Suez Crisis.
Shortly after Eden's resignation, he and Clarissa sailed to New Zealand for another break. The future deputy prime minister, John Prescott, was their cabin steward on the ship. When they arrived in New Zealand, they received a warm welcome because the country had supported Britain during Suez.
Eden's Retirement and Death
Doctors had warned Eden that staying in office could be dangerous for his health. However, he lived for another twenty years after resigning. The Edens lived at Alvediston Manor in Wiltshire, where he passed away on January 14, 1977. He is buried there.
Clarissa and Anthony spent their last Christmas together in Florida. When Eden became very ill with liver cancer, they were flown back to Britain on a Royal Air Force plane.
Clarissa's Widowhood
After her husband's death, Clarissa received many messages praising her devoted care for him. She moved to an apartment in London in the 1980s. She invited historians to write official biographies of her husband, which helped improve his reputation.
Clarissa remained in touch with many important friends. She attended state events and gatherings of former prime ministers and their families. In 1994, she unveiled a bust of Eden at the Foreign Office.
Long Life
Clarissa was the youngest wife of a prime minister in the 20th century. She was only 36 when her husband resigned and became a widow at 56. She lived longer than five later prime ministers' wives and saw 13 more prime ministers in office.
She lived to be 101 years old, passing away on November 15, 2021, at her home in London. She was the second longest-lived prime ministerial spouse, after Lady Wilson of Rievaulx, who lived to 102. Her funeral was held on November 24 in Alvediston, where she was laid to rest next to her husband.
Images for kids
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The coat of arms of Clarissa, Countess of Avon.
