Patricia Harmsworth, Viscountess Rothermere

Beverly Brooks
Born Patricia Evelyn Beverley Matthews
5 May 1933
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died 12 August 1992 (aged 59)[1]
Nice, France
Nationality British
Occupation Actress, Socialite
Title Viscountess Rothermere
Spouse(s) Christopher John Brooks (1951–1957)
Vere Harmsworth (1957-1992)
Children (with Christopher Brooks):
Sarah Jane Brooks (born 1956)
(with Vere Harmsworth):
Geraldine Theodora Gabriel Harmsworth (born 1957)
Camilla Pamela Caroline Harmsworth (born 1964)
Jonathan Harmsworth (born 1967)
Parent(s) John William Matthews (father, architect).[2]

Patricia Evelyn Beverley Matthews Harmsworth, Viscountess Rothermere (5 May 1933 – 12 August 1992) was an English socialite and actress. As Beverly Brooks, she appeared in several films, such as Reach for the Sky (1956).

She was only 18, when she met Captain Christopher Brooks (of the Coldstream Guards), while she was attending a motor-racing event at Goodwood. They married very soon afterwards. A baby girl, 'Sarah' soon followed. Then she enrolled at the Rank Charm School to become a starlet. This led to her getting a part in 'Reach for the Sky'. When she was 23, she met Vere Harmsworth (aged 32), at a party. She soon divorced Captain Brooks and married Vere in 1957. She then gave birth to Geraldine, born in 1957, and Camilla, in 1964. Then Vere's father, Esmond, remarried and produced a son, also called Esmond. So Patricia researched the methods of a Dr August Von Borosini in influencing the sex of her baby. Then, in December 1967, she gave birth to a son, Jonathan Harmsworth.[2]

As Lady Rothermere, she led a colourful social life, earning her the nickname of "Bubbles", through a love of champagne and her spherical figure. She died from a heart attack in Nice, France aged 59. This was brought on by an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.[2]

Marriages

She was married twice:

Film and television appearances

Film

Television

Honours

In 1997, Jonathan Harmsworth, set up the 'The Patricia Rothermere Award' (in honour of his mother), this was a two-part award. The first part went to Dame Judi Dench in recognition of her services to theatre. The second part of the award was given to promising drama students of that year. In 1997, that went to Mark Rice-Oxley. The award was presented at the Evening Standard Awards show.[4] Later called the 'Lady Rothermere Drama Award'.

References

  1. ↑ "Obituary: Patricia Rothermere". Independent.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Coleridge, Nicholas (13 June 1993). "The Viscount of Middle England: Lord Rothermere is the last of the grandee press barons, a product of old money and social privilege, living in maverick style. But his empire has at its heart the new-monied aspirational conservatism of the Daily Mail". Independent. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "Major Harry St John Holcroft 1951-2013".
  4. ↑ Lister, David (29 November 1997). "Arts: National in clean sweep of awards". Independent. Retrieved 7 March 2014.

External links