Everipedia Logo
Everipedia is now IQ.wiki - Join the IQ Brainlist and our Discord for early access to editing on the new platform and to participate in the beta testing.
Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba

Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba

María del Rosario Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva, 18th Duchess of Alba, GE (28 March 1926 – 20 November 2014), was head of the House of Alba and the third woman to hold the dukedom of Alba in her own right.

Born at Liria Palace in Madrid on 28 March 1926, she was the only child of the 17th Duke of Alba (a prominent Spanish politician and diplomat during the 1930s and 1940s) by his wife, María del Rosario de Silva y Gurtubay, 9th Marchioness of San Vicente del Barco. Her godmother was Queen Victoria Eugenie, the consort of King Alfonso XIII of Spain.

As head of the dynasty, she was styled by her most senior title of "Duchess of Alba", whilst holding over 40 other hereditary titles.[1] According to Guinness World Records, she was the most titled aristocrat in the world.[2]

Via her descent from James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick, she was King James II of England's senior illegitimate-line descendant. She was inducted into *Vanity Fair'*s International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame[3] in 2011.

Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart
18th Duchess of Alba (more...)
Duchess of Alba
Tenure18 February 1955 – 20 November 2014
PredecessorJacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Alba
SuccessorCarlos Fitz-James Stuart, 19th Duke of Alba
Full name
María del Rosario Cayetana Paloma Alfonsa Victoria Eugenia Fernanda Teresa Francisca de Paula Lourdes Antonia Josefa Fausta Rita Castor Dorotea Santa Esperanza Fitz-James Stuart, Silva, Falcó y Gurtubay
Born(1926-03-28)28 March 1926
Liria Palace, Madrid, Spain
Baptised18 April 1926
Royal Chapel, Royal Palace of Madrid
Died20 November 2014(2014-11-20)(aged 88)
Palace of the Dukes of Alba, Seville, Spain
Noble familyFitzJames
Alba
Spouse(s)
Luis Martínez de Irujo y Artázcoz
(m. 1947; died 1972)

Jesús Aguirre
(m. 1978; died 2001)

Alfonso Díez Carabantes (m. 2011)
Issue
Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 19th Duke of Alba
Alfonso Martínez de Irujo, 18th Duke of Hijar
Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 23rd Count of Siruela
Fernando Martínez de Irujo, 11th Marquis of San Vicente del Barco
Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, 4th Duke of Arjona
Eugenia Martínez de Irujo, 12th Duchess of Montoro
FatherJacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Alba
MotherMaría del Rosario de Silva, 9th Marchioness of San Vicente del Barco
SignatureCayetana of Alba Signature.svg
ReligionRoman Catholicism
imgimgimg

Life and family

The Duchess (left) horse riding with bullfighter Ángel Peralta in 1961

The Duchess (left) horse riding with bullfighter Ángel Peralta in 1961

The Duchess (right) visiting an event in 2005

The Duchess (right) visiting an event in 2005

On 12 October 1947, the Duchess married Don Luis Martínez de Irujo y Artázcoz (1919–1972), son of the Duke of Sotomayor.[4] The wedding in Spain, two years after the end of World War II, resisted the decline in frequency of very extravagant European weddings among high nobility and attracted the attention of the international media. The New York Times called it "the most expensive wedding of the world."[5] It was reported that 20 million pesetas (equivalent to $10,000,000 rounded in 2015) was spent.

Six children were born of this marriage; noble titles were ceded to all of them by their mother in accordance with Spanish protocol, including the rank of Grandee of Spain:

Widowed in 1972, the Duchess remarried first on 16 March 1978 to Jesús Aguirre y Ortiz de Zárate (1934–2001), a Doctor of Theology and a former Jesuit priest. The wedding caused shock; Aguirre was illegitimate, which carried a stigma among the wealthy and devout in 1970s Spain.[15] Eight years younger than the Duchess, he maintained a good relationship with her children. During their marriage he administered, with his stepson Carlos, the Alba estates.[16] Aguirre died in 2001.

The re-widowed Duchess expressed her wish to marry Alfonso Díez Carabantes in the 2000s, a civil servant who separately had a public relations business, 24 years her junior. It was reported objections came from her children and from King Juan Carlos. The House of Alba in 2008 issued a statement saying that the relationship "was based on a long friendship and there are no plans to marry".[15][17] The duchess decided to proceed and gave her children their inheritance which included majestic palaces in Spain, paintings by old and modern masters (from Fra Angelico, Titian and Goya to Renoir and Marc Chagall), a first-edition copy of Cervantes's Don Quixote, letters written by Christopher Columbus, and substantial land; her wealth was estimated at between €600 million and €3.5 billion.[1] Díez formally renounced any claim to her wealth.[15] They married on 5 October 2011 at the Palacio de las Dueñas in Seville.[18] The Duchess, whose passions included flamenco, performed a quick few steps of the dance in front of the crowds that had gathered outside the palace on the day of the wedding.[19]

As a socialite, the duchess met famous VIPs from Spain and abroad. Jackie Kennedy visited her Seville palace, as did Wallis Simpson, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco. In 1959 the duchess, together with designer Yves Saint Laurent, hosted a Dior show for charitable purposes in her Liria Palace, Madrid, a palace which movie stars Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn and Raf Vallone visited. In her youth the duchess posed for Richard Avedon and Cecil Beaton and she appeared on the cover of Time and Harper's Bazaar.

Her ancestor, paternal with one exception being maternal, was King James II who had her closer ancestor and three other children with Arabella Churchill, sister of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, making her a distant cousin of the Spencer-Churchill, Churchill and Spencer prominent British contemporaries. The Spencers will have multiplied the Alba cousinage with the monarchy on the ascension to the throne of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Her titles included that of Duchess of Berwick in the Jacobite Peerage. The Jacobean Peerage has no rank in Britain; its senior holders often have inheritance and status in Catholic remnant aristocracies. In 1802, the dukedom passed to her Spanish noble male-line ancestor from his mother who took the surname accordingly.

Death

Memorial plaque in Seville

Memorial plaque in Seville

The Duchess died in the Palacio de las Dueñas on 20 November 2014, at the age of 88. She was survived by her last husband, her six children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.[20] She was succeeded by her son Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 14th Duke of Huéscar, who thus became the 19th Duke of Alba. At the time of her death, her net worth was estimated to be $5 billion.[21]

Funeral

After her death, the Duchess' body was laid in repose at the Town Hall, where thousands of Sevillans paid their last respects. Pictures of the Duchess with her family were placed at her coffin. The King of Spain telephoned her son to pay his respects and sent two flower crowns to Seville. The Lord Mayor said that the flags of the city would be lowered in mourning. Msgrs. Juan José Asenjo and Curro Romero, and Mr. Rajoy, Spain's prime minister, also formally paid their respects.[22] Her funeral was held at Seville Cathedral by Msgr. Carlos Amigo Vallejo, where the Royal Family was represented by the Infanta Elena.[23]

Titles, styles and honours

Titles

Coat of arms of Cayetana, 18th Duchess of Alba

Coat of arms of Cayetana, 18th Duchess of Alba

Dukedoms
  • 18th Duchess of Alba, Grandee of Spain

  • 15th Duchess of Aliaga, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her son Don Alfonso

  • 4th Duchess of Arjona, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her son Don Cayetano[24]

  • 11th Duchess of Berwick, Grandee of Spain

  • 17th Duchess of Híjar, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her son Don Alfonso[25]

  • 11th Duchess of Liria and Jérica, Grandee of Spain

  • 11th Duchess of Montoro, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her daughter Doña Eugenia

Count-Dukedoms
  • 12th Countess-Duchess of Olivares, Grandee of Spain

Marquessates
  • 17th Marchioness of the Carpio, Grandee of Spain

  • 10th Marchioness of San Vicente del Barco, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her son Don Fernando

  • 16th Marchioness of La Algaba

  • 16th Marchioness of Almenara -Ceded to her son Don Alfonso[26]

  • 18th Marchioness of Barcarrota

  • 10th Marchioness of Castañeda

  • 23rd Marchioness of Coria

  • 14th Marchioness of Eliche

  • 16th Marchioness of Mirallo

  • 20th Marchioness of la Mota

  • 20th Marchioness of Moya

  • 17th Marchioness of Orani -Ceded to her son Don Alfonso[27]

  • 12th Marchioness of Osera

  • 14th Marchioness of San Leonardo

  • 19th Marchioness of Sarria

  • 12th Marchioness of Tarazona

  • 15th Marchioness of Valdunquillo

  • 18th Marchioness of Villanueva del Fresno

  • 17th Marchioness of Villanueva del Río

Countships
  • 27th Countess of Aranda, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her son Don Alfonso[28]

  • 22nd Countess of Lemos, Grandee of Spain

  • 20th Countess of Lerín, Grandee of Spain, Constabless of Navarre

  • 20th Countess of Miranda del Castañar, Grandee of Spain

  • 16th Countess of Monterrey, Grandee of Spain

  • 20th Countess of Osorno, Grandee of Spain

  • 18th Countess of Palma del Río, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her son Don Alfonso[29]

  • 12th Countess of Salvatierra, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her son Don Cayetano

  • 22nd Countess of Siruela, Grandee of Spain -Ceded to her son Don Jacobo

  • 19th Countess of Andrade

  • 14th Countess of Ayala

  • 16th Countess of Casarrubios del Monte

  • 16th Countess of Fuentes de Valdepero

  • 11th Countess of Fuentidueña

  • 17th Countess of Galve

  • 18th Countess of Gelves

  • 16th Countess of Guimerá -Ceded to her son Don Alfonso[30]

  • 21st Countess of Modica (Kingdom of Sicily)

  • 24th Countess of Ribadeo -Ceded to her son Don Alfonso[31]

  • 25th Countess of San Esteban de Gormaz

  • 12th Countess of Santa Cruz de la Sierra

  • 20th Countess of Villalba

Viscountcies
  • 12th Viscountess of la Calzada

Lordships
  • 29th Lady of Moguer

Styles

  • 28 March 1926 – 11 January 1935: The Most Excellent Doña Mª del Rosario Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva

  • 11 January 1935 – 28 January 1947: The Most Excellent The Duchess of Aliaga

  • 28 January 1947 – 18 February 1955: The Most Excellent The Duchess of Montoro

  • 18 February 1955 – 20 November 2014: The Most Excellent The Duchess of Alba de Tormes

Honours

National honours
  • Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic[32][33]

  • Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise[34][35][36]

  • Spain: Knight of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild[37]

  • Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Alcántara[38]

  • Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Charity[39]

  • Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Agricultural Merit[40]

  • Spain Recipient of the Medal of Andalusia[41][42]

  • Spain: Recipient of the Medal of Concepción[43]

  • Spain: Recipient of the Medal of Línea[44]

  • Spain: Recipient of the Medal of The Community of Madrid[45]

  • Spain: Former Grand Master Recipient of the Medal of The Spanish Red Cross[46]

  • Spain: Recipient of the Medal of Suffering for the Motherland

Foreign honours
  • [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/State_Flag_of_Greece_%281863-1924_and_1935-1973%29.svg/23px-State_Flag_of_Greece_%281863-1924_and_1935-1973%29.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/State_Flag_of_Greece_%281863-1924_and_1935-1973%29.svg/35px-State_Flag_of_Greece_%281863-1924_and_1935-1973%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/State_Flag_of_Greece_%281863-1924_and_1935-1973%29.svg/45px-State_Flag_of_Greece_%281863-1924_and_1935-1973%29.svg.png 2x|Greece|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Greek royal family: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Beneficence[47][48]

  • [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Flag_of_the_Kingdom_of_the_Two_Sicilies_%281816%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Kingdom_of_the_Two_Sicilies_%281816%29.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Flag_of_the_Kingdom_of_the_Two_Sicilies_%281816%29.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_Kingdom_of_the_Two_Sicilies_%281816%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Flag_of_the_Kingdom_of_the_Two_Sicilies_%281816%29.svg/45px-Flag_of_the_Kingdom_of_the_Two_Sicilies_%281816%29.svg.png 2x|Kingdom of the Two Sicilies|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies Dame Grand Cross of Justice of the Calabrian Two Sicilian Order of Saint George[47][49][50]

  • Japan: Wisteria Dame of the Order of the Precious Crown, 4th Class[51]

Honorary appointments

National honorary appointments
  • Castilla-La Mancha: Marshal of Castilla-La Mancha[52]

  • Aragon: Constable of Aragon[53]

  • [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Flag_of_the_Valencian_Community_%282x3%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Valencian_Community_%282x3%29.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Flag_of_the_Valencian_Community_%282x3%29.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_Valencian_Community_%282x3%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Flag_of_the_Valencian_Community_%282x3%29.svg/45px-Flag_of_the_Valencian_Community_%282x3%29.svg.png 2x|Valencian Community|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Llíria: Honorary Mayor of Llíria[54]

  • Seville: Knight of the Royal Cavalry Armory of Seville[55][56]

  • Spain: Honorary President of the Spanish Red Cross[57]

  • Spain: Honorary President of the Spanish National Orchestra[58]

  • Spain: Honorary President of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando[59]

Foreign honorary appointments

Ancestry

References

[1]
Citation Linkportal.issn.orgDaniel Woolls; Miguel Angel Morenatti (5 October 2011). "Rich Spanish duchess weds for third time at age 85". The Boston Globe. ISSN 0743-1791. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.theguardian.comBurgen, Stephen (7 August 2011). "Spanish duchess gives away fortune in order to marry civil servant". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.vanityfair.comEdwards, Arthur. "The International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame Inductees, 2004-2014". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[4]
Citation Linkhemeroteca.abc.es"Death Duke of Sotomayor". Hemeroteca.abc.es. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.elpais.comConstenla, Tereixa (14 August 2011). "The duchess marries for love". El País. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.revistavanityfair.esVanity Fair
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[7]
Citation Linklook.okdiario.comLos Duques de Aliaga, padres de una hija
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[8]
Citation Linkwww.lavozdigital.es"Multimedia". Lavozdigital.es. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.eleconomista.es"First great-granddaughter". Eleconomista.es. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.vanitatis.com"Nace el tercer bisnieto de la Duquesa de Alba". Vanitatis.com. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.hola.com"Más detalles de la boda de Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart y Asela Pérez Becerril en el palacio de Liria". Hola.com. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[12]
Citation Linkwww.vanitatis.elconfidencial.comM. Bolonio (25 February 2015). "Nace el que sería el cuarto bisnieto de la duquesa de Alba". El Confidencial.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.mujerhoy.com"Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart y Asela Pérez Becerril, padres de nuevo". Mujerhoy.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[14]
Citation Linkwww.vanityfair.comColacello, Bob. "Inside Paris's 25th Annual le Bal des Débutantes". Vanity Fair.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[15]
Citation Linkwww.theguardian.comStephen Burgen in Barcelona. "newspaper: Spanish duchess gives away fortune in order to marry civil servant, 8 August 2011". Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[16]
Citation Linkwww.galeon.comAlgorri, Luis (21 May 2001). "Jesús Aguirre Ortiz de Zárate, Duque de Alba". Personajes Cántabros (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved 29 April 2007. (in Spanish)
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.independent.co.uk"The duchess with everything (except the right to marry)". The Independent. London. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.elpais.comGalaz, Mábel (5 October 2011). "Cayetana ya es señora de Díez". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 October 2011. (in Spanish)
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[19]
Citation Linkwww.theguardian.comAshifa Kassam. "Spain's eccentric Duchess of Alba dies aged 88". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.dailymail.co.uk"Duchess of Alba dies". Mail Online. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
Sep 20, 2019, 6:10 PM