The Grand Duchess and model Natalia Paley: biography, parents

Natalie Paley is a French mannequin and a Hollywood actress. He is a princess of the Romanov family. One of the most popular models of its time. The article will describe the biography of the mannequin.

Parents

Natalia Pavlovna Paley was born in Paris in 1905. The thing is that the girl's parents were "exiles". They were banned from entering Russia. And it all began with the fact that Natalie's father - Grand Duke Pavel Aleksandrovich - was an early widower. After a while he fell in love with the charming, beautiful and clever Olga Pistolkors. The girl came from a family of a lowly and poor Petersburg official. Besides, she was married. For the Romanov family, this has become a very scandalous story. When Olga divorced, Pavel Alexandrovich secretly married her in Italy. After this, the emperor deprived his son of all titles. Nevertheless, the prince did not take away his considerable fortune. It allowed the couple to lead a carefree social life in Europe. Their love story, as well as Olga's charm and beauty, constantly attracted public attention.

Revolution

Paul received official forgiveness only ten years later. Spouses with children came to Russia. The prince was reinstated in the service and all the titles were returned to him. Olga Paley became the legal wife of Paul and received a princely title. It seemed that now everything will be fine, but the country was brewing a revolution. In 1917, the political system completely changed. Now Princess Olga Paley and Prince Paul did not greatly rejoice at the re-awarded titles and acquired titles. The couple lost absolutely everything. In March, Pavel was arrested along with his son Vladimir. The Red Commissars acted with them in the same way as with the majority of the members of the royal family - they killed. Father Natalia was shot in the Peter and Paul Fortress. And the living commissars threw Vladimir into the mine.

Olga Paley was well aware that her and her daughters were waiting for the same fate. Therefore, in a hurry, she left Russia with Natalie and Irina. Thanks to the condition that Pavel prudently left in France, Olga and her daughters were living a very comfortable life. She taught Irina and Natalie manners, instilling in girls impeccable taste.

In a new place

As it turned out, there were quite a lot of emigrants from Russia in France. And their living conditions were significantly worse than those of Olga Paley and her daughters. Leaving the limits of their native country, spoiled once by the luxury of the ladies, they were looking for opportunities for further existence. Countesses and princesses began to work as models, dressmakers, embroiderers. Russian beauty, supplemented by the ability to present themselves, charm and aristocratic education, brought the local fashion houses a huge income.

Natalia Paley and her sister Irina did not even plan to receive further education. They were quite satisfied with what their mother had given them. Girls were difficult to adapt in the new country. On their faces some sort of concealed sadness and concern was read. Irina and Natalia differed in seclusion and did not seek to communicate with friends. Of course, the reason for this was the tragic events that happened in Russia. Memories of the loss of a beloved brother and father were constantly harassed by sisters.

Olga Paley regularly communicated with fashionable tailors of French houses. Princess did this in order to renew ties in the upper secular society. Many high-ranking exiles from Russia began to open fashion houses. For example, Olga 's half-sister - Maria Pavlovna - founded "Kitmir", specializing in embroidery. Felix and Irina Yusupov opened the "IRFE". Soon Olga's half-brother - Prince Dmitry - got to know fashion designer Coco Chanel. At the Frenchwoman Russian emigrants already worked. Thus Paley's family became more famous in the world of haute couture. After a while, Irina married Fedor Alexandrovich (Yusupova's brother).

Carier start

Princess Natalia Paley chose a different path. From the birth of an independent, capricious, graceful and beautiful like a mother, the girl decided to become a model. She started working in two fashion houses - "IRFE" and "Iteb". Soon Natalia conquered Paris and became the queen of France. She was fascinated and admired, she was loved, she was imitated. But still the recognition was incomplete, because Paley acted in the homes of her compatriots-exiles. After some time, Coco Chanel became interested in the model. On the recommendation of the famous Frenchwoman Natalie managed to get into the prestigious fashion house of Lucien Lelong. The latter simply could not resist the grace and exquisite beauty of the Russian princess. In 1927 Paley and Lelong were married. The girl became the face of his fashion house. Natalie's relatives were very unhappy. They did not approve of this unequal marriage - the tailor and granddaughter of Emperor Alexander II.

The Fans

Lucien Lelong was completely at the mercy of Paley's beauty. He sewed for her the best models of clothes, and the face of the model did not come off the covers of popular magazines. Natalie was dedicated to the spirits of the company "Lelong" - Indiskret, Mon Image, Elle ... Elle. However, the gifted and bright Paley preferred that next to her were the same men. Fans of the model were: Salvador Dali, Serge Lifar (dancer), Pavel Chelishchev (artist), Count de Beaumont and others. For these men, many of whom were homosexual, the princess personified beauty - intelligent, dispassionate and light-bearing. Wherever Natalie was, she was surrounded by bright and interesting personalities. And it is only natural that the princess felt like a star, to whom all worshiped.

Jean Cocteau

In 1932, hopelessly in love with the model, Lifar introduced her to this French director. Between Cocteau and Paley immediately broke out a novel. Jean was a homosexual, and Natalie became the only woman in his life. In the model Cocteau attracted the strength of the spirit, perfect beauty, accuracy and sharpness of judgments, as well as the ability to understand. The romance of the lovers lasted several months and ended very tragically.

According to the recollections of Jean himself, Paley became pregnant with him, but was forced to go to an abortion. On some data, such demands were put forward by Marie-Lor de Noay (patroness of Cocteau). She was afraid that because of Natalie, she would lose her power over Jean. After that, the sensitive Cocteau parted with the princess and hated all the women. His long-time lover Jean Mare wrote in his memoirs that the director could not bear even an accidental touch. Nevertheless, Cocteau retained the warmest memories of the fashion model. In his film Orpheus, the merciful and beautiful Death has the features of Paley.

Cinema

In 1933, the director Marcel l'Erbier invited Natalia to her painting "The Hawk". The partner of the girl was Charles Boyer. A year later, Paley starred in the movie "Prince Jean". Both pictures were a success. It can not be said that the model had an actor's talent - rather, it was the ability to submit oneself to the public. And the role of Natalie can not be called particularly deep. Paley played eccentric, elegant women, falling in love with men.

Moving to the USA

Marriage with Lelong did not last long. Paley lost interest in Lucien. After the first success in the movie, the girl decided to focus on this activity. Photogenic and beauty of Natalie, combined with Lelong's amazing outfits immediately attracted everyone's attention. And more importantly, Paley was spotted in Hollywood. In 1937, the Princess divorced Lucien and left for the United States. Grieved by the fact of the rupture, Lelong came up with a new scent of perfume - Le N. Fashion 30-40s enthusiastically responded to them.

Exupery

Soon Natalia Palej married the director and producer John Wilson. Princess did not leave the model business. She became the most successful and popular fashion model in the American company Lynchboycher. Also, Natalie opened a salon in which there were famous artists, musicians and actors. Pali was often visited by Erich Remarque and Marlene Dietrich.

In 1942, the heroine of this article met the famous writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It's hard to say how much this novel meant to Natalie, but for the Frenchman it was extremely important. This is indicated by Antoine's love letters, dedicated to Paley.

By temperament, the writer was melancholy and often fell into depression. He needed regular consolation. In the person of Natalie Antoine found not only a beloved, but also a friend who can support in a difficult moment. But their romance was short-lived. In 1943, Antoine returned to France. He led the correspondence with the princess until his death.

Remarque

Erich has a novel called "Shadows in Paradise". There he tells the love story of two main characters. Those who know the writer's biography can see the similarity with his real life. Met Natalie, Remarque immediately captivated her mind and beauty. For long eleven years the princess kept him under her magical influence. Her ability to charm, a brilliant mind, a smile, a slender figure, tender skin and fascinating gray eyes captivated the writer.

Remarque and Paley met in America. During their eleven-year novel there were frequent quarrels and passionate reconciliations. At the same time, none of the encirclement of the writer and mannequins doubted that their love was real and sincere. For the sake of the princess Erich even parted with the great Marlene Dietrich. Remarque met with the actress before meeting with the heroine of this article.

Return to America

In 1947, after several years of traveling, Erich decided to go home, to Europe. Natalia Paley was his company. And here their romance has come to an end. Remarque stayed in Switzerland, where he had his own house. And the princess left him more and more often. Natalie could not accept a serene and quiet life. Paley needed new friends, meetings, changes, bright and rich leisure. Gradually, Erich's feelings faded. And then the writer met a new love - Paulette Goddard. Soon the actress became his wife.

Immediately after the separation, Paley returned to John Wilson in America. By that time, the director had already drunk heavily and was characterized by aggressive behavior. Natalie simply could not invite someone home. So her life filled with bright and stormy events died out with time. The number of princess's friends declined with each month.

Depression

In 1961 John Wilson died of cirrhosis of the liver. Natalia Paley fell into a serious depression. She no longer felt like a dazzling star. The former model was completely alone. From her unexpectedly turned his inner circle. Even my sister did not communicate with Natalie. Why did this happen? How? Perhaps in the twist of events Paley just did not notice the loss of loved ones. All her life she was looking for bright personalities, forgetting that ordinary people need only emotional intimacy. Was she happy now? It is likely that these are the questions that once asked herself a successful and beautiful woman.

Death

As a result, Natalia Paley, whose biography is presented above, realized the decline of her own career. The princess's star went out. She was just an aging woman. The next twenty years of life, Natalia was in a serious depression. The former mannequin lived alone and did not communicate with anyone. Paley drank a lot and was practically blind. In December 1981, she fell, breaking the neck of her hip. Doctors have put a terrible diagnosis - immobility until the end of life. Natalia was 76 years old, and she did not want to become a burden for anyone. Taking a huge dose of sleeping pills, Paley voluntarily left this life.