Blanche Blackwell

Blanche Blackwell
Born (1912-12-09)9 December 1912
Costa Rica
Died 8 August 2017(2017-08-08) (aged 104)
London
Spouse(s) Joseph Blackwell
Children Chris Blackwell

Blanche Blackwell (9 December 1912 – 8 August 2017) was a Jamaican heiress, mother of Chris Blackwell (founder of Island Records) and an inspirational muse to Ian Fleming and Noël Coward.[1][2]

Early life

Blanche Blackwell was born in Costa Rica and was part of the Lindo family (Jewish immigrants) who were prominent in Jamaica having made their fortune from rum and sugar in the 19th Century.[3][4]

Relationship with Ian Fleming

During her life Blanche Blackwell became known for her role as friend, mistress and muse to Ian Fleming[5] who lived nearby in Jamaica. On first meeting Fleming at a dinner party the two did not immediately hit it off, but their friendship developed into a deeper and creative one.[6] Fleming's marriage to Ann Charteris had suffered owing to her disapproval of the James Bond novels, and she was often away from the couple's home in Jamaica.[7] Blackwell is believed by some to have been the inspiration for some of Fleming’s most memorable female characters; Pussy Galore and Honeychile Rider.[8][2] Her brother sold land to Coward for his Jamaican houses.[1]

She was vivacious and attractive, lively and intelligent. She became friends with prominent figures and celebrities of the time including Errol Flynn, whom she met when he was holidaying in Jamaica.[2] She continued to be involved with her son's life and work, hosting parties and giving advice.[9]

Death

Blackwell died in London on 8 August 2017 at the age of 104.[10][8]

References

  1. 1 2 Hoare, Philip (22 May 1998). Noel Coward: A Biography. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226345123.
  2. 1 2 3 Schudel, Matt (12 August 2017). "Mistress and muse of James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, dies at 104". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  3. ↑ "Blanche Blackwell, Ian Fleming's mistress – obituary". The Telegraph. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  4. ↑ Jackie, Ranston (2000). The Lindo legacy. London: Toucan Books. ISBN 1903435005. OCLC 44534048.
  5. ↑ "Blanche Blackwell". The Times. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  6. ↑ Lycett, Andrew (25 October 2012). Ian Fleming. Orion Publishing Group. ISBN 9781780225531.
  7. ↑ Thomson, Ian (29 August 2017). "Blanche Blackwell obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  8. 1 2 "In Passing". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  9. ↑ "The Barefoot Mogul". Men's Journal. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  10. ↑ Limited, Jamaica Observer. "Chris Blackwell's mom, Blanche passes at 104". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
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