Lady Annabel Goldsmith facts for kids

Lady Annabel Goldsmith (born Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart, later Birley; 11 June 1934 – 18 October 2025) was a well-known English socialite, author, and activist. She was the inspiration for the famous London nightclub, Annabel's, which her first husband, Mark Birley, founded. Lady Annabel was a popular figure in London society during the 1960s and 1970s. She later married Sir James Goldsmith, a prominent financier. Throughout her life, she wrote books and supported many important causes.

Who Was Lady Annabel Goldsmith?

Early Life and Family

Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart was born in London on 11 June 1934. She was the second of three children in an aristocratic family from England and Ireland. Her father was Robin Vane-Tempest-Stewart, the 8th Marquess of Londonderry. Her mother was Romaine Combe.

Annabel became Lady Annabel in 1949 when her father inherited his title. Her mother passed away in 1951. Her father struggled after this loss. Annabel later shared that her father changed a lot after her mother's death.

She was named after her mother's favorite song, "Miss Annabel Lee." She grew up in the countryside at her family's estates. She attended Southover Manor School and Cuffy's Tutorial College. As a young person, she was shy and loved reading. She also enjoyed horseback riding and was a Girl Guide.

A Social Figure in London

In the 1950s and 1960s, Lady Annabel transformed from a quiet girl into a well-known socialite. Queen Elizabeth II attended her coming-out ball in 1952. She was known in London society for her good humor and down-to-earth personality. She also had a great love for children and dogs.

Her Family Life

Lady Annabel was a dedicated mother to her six children: Rupert, Robin, India Jane, Jemima, Zac, and Ben. She often said that being a mother was her most important role. She loved her children very much and wanted to be with them always. She was also seen as a mother figure by her nieces and even by Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Annabel's Club and Her First Marriage

On 10 March 1954, when she was 19, Annabel married businessman Mark Birley in London. Mark Birley honored her by naming his famous nightclub, Annabel's, after her. The club opened on 4 June 1963. It was a very grand and popular place in the 1960s and 1970s.

Lady Annabel spent many evenings at Annabel's. She hosted many famous guests there. These included politicians like Ted and Robert F. Kennedy, and celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Muhammad Ali. Even Prince Charles visited the club. She remembered it as a "second home."

Her Children with Mark Birley

Lady Annabel raised her three children with Mark Birley. Her eldest son, Rupert, was born in 1955. He studied at Eton College and Oxford University. Sadly, in 1986, Rupert disappeared off the coast of West Africa and was never found. Lady Annabel spoke about how difficult it was to lose her first child.

Her second son, Robin, born in 1958, is a businessman. As a child, he had an accident that affected his face. Lady Annabel felt responsible for the accident. Her first daughter, India Jane, born in 1961, is an artist.

Lady Annabel and Mark Birley separated in 1972 and later divorced in 1975. Despite their separation, they remained very close friends. They talked every day and even went on holidays together until Mark Birley passed away in 2007.

Her Second Marriage and More Children

In 1964, Lady Annabel began a relationship with Sir James Goldsmith, a financier. While still married to Mark Birley, she had two children with James Goldsmith.

Her Children with James Goldsmith

Her daughter Jemima was born in 1974, and her son Zac was born in 1975. Her youngest child, Ben, was born in 1980. These children were raised in Ormeley Lodge in Ham, London. Sir James Goldsmith, who had both Jewish and Catholic heritage, was part of their lives. He also had other families.

In 1978, James Goldsmith and Lady Annabel married. This was done to make sure their children were legally recognized. Sir James later lived in other places, including New York, France, and Mexico. When he passed away in 1997, Lady Annabel and her three youngest children inherited a part of his large fortune.

Lady Annabel lived in Ormeley Lodge, a large Georgian mansion near Richmond Park. She shared her home with her beloved dogs.

Helping Others and Making a Difference

Lady Annabel was very active in supporting various causes.

Supporting Important Causes

She was the president of the Richmond Park branch of the Royal Society of St George. This group aims to inspire young people. She also supported the Countryside Alliance, which works to protect rural life. She was a donor to The Soil Association, an environmental charity. She also helped African Solutions to African Problems (ASAP), which supports children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

As a great animal lover, she was a patron of the Dogs Trust and supported the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. She was also vice-president of the British Show Pony Society.

Political Involvement

Lady Annabel had an early interest in journalism. She wrote opinion pieces for national newspapers like The Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph.

In 1956, she and Mark Birley volunteered with the Save the Children organization. They helped refugees who crossed the border into Austria during the Hungarian Revolution.

She also supported her second husband's political ideas. After his death, she became honorary president of the Referendum Movement. This group campaigned for a referendum on the single currency. In 1999, she launched the Democracy Movement. This organization worked to inform people about European Union policies before general elections. She explained that her efforts were "in memory of Jimmy" and that she believed in national sovereignty.

In 2007, Lady Annabel gave testimony at the inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. She shared her thoughts on Princess Diana's relationships.

Lady Annabel's Books

Sharing Her Story

In March 2004, Lady Annabel published her memoirs titled Annabel: An Unconventional Life. This book shared her life story, from her childhood before World War II to her glamorous social life in the 1960s. It also covered her later life as an active grandmother. The book was featured in The Mail on Sunday. Many people read her book, and it became a best-seller in London.

A Dog's Tale and Other Writings

Two years later, in 2006, she wrote another book called Copper: A Dog's Life. This book was written from the perspective of her pet dog, Copper. Her daughter, India Jane, illustrated the book. Copper was a beloved mongrel known for his adventures in Richmond, like riding buses and visiting local pubs.

Lady Annabel said that a scary incident on a plane in 2000 inspired her to write. During a flight to Kenya, the plane had a sudden drop. This made her realize how precious life is. She wrote in her autobiography that this event made her want to share her past.

Her third book, No Invitation Required: The Pelham Cottage Years, was released in 2009. This book contained essays and portraits of interesting people she knew.