Lady Annabel Goldsmith facts for kids

Lady Annabel Goldsmith (born 11 June 1934) is a well-known English socialite. A famous London nightclub, Annabel's, was named after her. She was first married to Mark Birley, the man who created the club. Later, she married the famous businessman Sir James Goldsmith.

Lady Annabel became known as a London society hostess in the 1960s and 1970s. She is the mother of six children, including the film producer Jemima Goldsmith and the politician Zac Goldsmith. Besides being a mother, she is also an author and the founder of a political group called the Democracy Movement.

Early Life and Family

Lady Annabel was born in London to an aristocratic family with roots in Ireland and England. Her father was Robin, Viscount Castlereagh, and her mother was Romaine Combe. She grew up on her family's large country estates, including Mount Stewart and Wynyard Park.

Tragedy struck her family when she was young. Her mother died from an illness in 1951. Her father was deeply saddened by his wife's death and passed away a few years later in 1955. Lady Annabel later said, "My father was a really wonderful man but after my mother died... He couldn't face life without her."

As a young girl, she was shy and loved reading and horse riding. She was also a Girl Guide. Over time, she grew into a confident and popular socialite. In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II even attended her special "coming-out" party, which celebrated her entry into adult society.

Marriages and Children

Lady Annabel has said that being a mother was the most important part of her life. She has six children from her two marriages. She was also a mother figure to her nieces and was a friend to Diana, Princess of Wales.

First Marriage and 'Annabel's' Nightclub

In 1954, at age 19, she married a businessman named Mark Birley. To honor her, he named his new nightclub in London Annabel's. The club opened in 1963 and became one of the most famous nightclubs in the world. Famous guests included American presidents, princes, and movie stars. Lady Annabel said, "I used to be there every night... It was like a second home to me."

She and Mark had three children: Rupert, Robin, and India Jane. Their oldest son, Rupert, disappeared in 1986 off the coast of Togo, Africa, and was never found. Their second son, Robin, was badly injured as a child when he was attacked by a tigress at a private zoo. Lady Annabel said, "It was my own fault. I was, am, angry with myself." Their daughter, India Jane, is an artist.

Lady Annabel and Mark Birley separated in 1972 and divorced in 1975. However, they remained very close friends for the rest of his life.

Second Marriage to Sir James Goldsmith

In 1964, Lady Annabel began a relationship with the businessman Sir James Goldsmith. While still married to Mark Birley, she had two children with James: Jemima (born in 1974) and Zac (born in 1975). Her youngest son, Ben Goldsmith, was born in 1980.

In 1978, Lady Annabel and James Goldsmith got married. Their children grew up at a large Georgian house called Ormeley Lodge near Richmond Park in London. Sir James Goldsmith passed away in 1997.

Today, Lady Annabel still lives at Ormeley Lodge. She has fourteen grandchildren and enjoys spending time at her farm in Spain and her home by the sea in England.

Life as an Author and Activist

Lady Annabel has led a very active life, writing books and supporting causes she believes in.

Writing Career

A scary event in 2000 inspired her to start writing. She was on a flight to Kenya with her family when a passenger tried to take control of the plane. The plane dived 17,000 feet before the pilots regained control. She said that this near-death experience made her want to write down her life story.

In 2004, she published her first book, Annabel: An Unconventional Life. The book tells the story of her childhood and her life in London's high society. She later wrote a book from the point of view of her beloved dog, called Copper: A Dog's Life. In 2009, she released a third book with stories about the interesting people she knew.

Political and Charity Work

Lady Annabel has been involved in both politics and charity. After her second husband's death, she continued to support his political ideas. In 1999, she helped launch the Democracy Movement. This group believed that Britain should not be governed by the European Union from Brussels. She said, "I just don't want to be governed by Brussels, and I don't think people want to give up their sovereignty."

She is also a supporter of many charities. She helps organizations that protect the English countryside, support organic farming, and help children in Africa affected by HIV/AIDS. As an animal lover, she is a patron of the Dogs Trust and supports the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

In 2007, she was asked to speak at the official investigation into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. She told the court that she believed Diana was still getting over a previous relationship and was not planning to marry her boyfriend at the time, Dodi Fayed.