John Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Marlborough
JP DL
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Portrait in 1984 by Allan Warren
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| Member of the House of Lords as Duke of Marlborough |
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| In office 10 March 1972 – 11 November 1999 |
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| Preceded by | The 10th Duke of Marlborough |
| Succeeded by | House of Lords Act 1999 |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill
13 April 1926 Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England |
| Died | 16 October 2014 (aged 88) Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England |
| Spouses |
Susan Mary Hornby
(m. 1951; div. 1961)Tina Onassis Niarchos
(m. 1961; div. 1971)Lily Sahni
(m. 2008) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Residence | Blenheim Palace |
John George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill (born April 13, 1926 – died October 16, 2014) was a British nobleman. He was known as the 11th Duke of Marlborough. He was also called "Sunny" because of his special title, Earl of Sunderland.
He was the older son of the 10th Duke of Marlborough. His family home was Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. This grand palace is a very famous historic site.
Contents
Life and Work of the Duke
John Spencer-Churchill went to Eton College, a well-known school in England. After school, he served in the military for seven years. He was a Captain in a group called the Life Guards.
Managing Blenheim Palace
In 1972, he became the Duke of Marlborough. This meant he took charge of Blenheim Palace and its large estate. To help pay for keeping the huge palace in good condition, he made some smart choices.
He opened Blenheim Palace to visitors. This allowed people to explore its beautiful rooms and gardens. It also became a popular place for filming movies and TV shows. He even started businesses like a garden furniture company and a water bottling plant. These ideas helped support the palace.
Community Involvement
The Duke was also involved in many local groups. He helped with the Thames and Chilterns Tourist Board. He was also active with the Oxford United Football Club. He served as a vice-president for the local Conservative Association in Witney. This was the local political party of David Cameron, who later became Prime Minister.
Family Life
The Duke of Marlborough was married several times and had six children. Two of his children sadly passed away when they were very young.
His Children
- John David Ivor Spencer-Churchill, Earl of Sunderland (1952–1955)
- Charles James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke of Marlborough (born 1955)
- Lady Henrietta Mary Spencer-Churchill (born 1958)
- Lord Richard Spencer-Churchill (born and died 1973)
- Lord Edward Albert Charles Spencer-Churchill (born 1974)
- Lady Alexandra Elizabeth Spencer-Churchill (born 1977)
Titles and Roles
Throughout his life, John Spencer-Churchill held several important titles and roles.
Main Titles
- Earl of Sunderland (1926–1934): This was a courtesy title he held as the eldest son.
- Marquess of Blandford (1934–1972): He held this title before becoming Duke.
- The Duke of Marlborough (1972–2014): This was his main title as the head of the Marlborough family.
Other Appointments
- Justice of the Peace: This role means he helped keep law and order in his local area.
- Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire: This is a ceremonial role, helping the Lord-Lieutenant of the county.
Images for kids
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The family coat of arms.
