Gloria Guinness was born in Veracruz, Mexico in 1912. Her family traveled extensively, but she was primarily raised in Germany. Before marrying Loel Guinness she was married three previous times. One marriage to a Count led to two children that were both a baron and a baroness.
Loel Guinness was an extended member of the beer making family, however his vast wealth came from real estate and banking. After her marriage, some people presumed that Gloria was some sort of spy in that she did not have a passport and did not have a home country.
The Guinness's traveled extensively and enjoyed entertaining on their yacht.
From 1963-1971 Gloria worked as a contributing editor to Harper's Bazaar magazine although she certainly didn't need the money.
A stunning brunette, Gloria was courted by all the top designers of the time. She was particularly a muse to: Balenciaga, Dior, Givenchy and Yves St. Laurent. She also put Pucci on the map by being the first person to wear the lines Capri pants.
Gloria could be petty and vain as she proved to other society women of the time. As an example, Gloria and Loel invited Bill and Babe Paley on a three day yacht cruise. When Babe asked what the dress would be on board, Gloria told her to go super casual..that there would not be any need for gowns and jewels, thus Babe packed accordingly. The first night the yacht docked and took on guests all were dressed formally...and Gloria emerged a vision in full length gown and diamonds, leaving Babe woefully under dressed.
Although supremely elegant, Gloria could be quite crude at times, telling a friend, "Oh no...I don't sleep with Loel..he farts too much".
Gloria was a member of the International Best Dressed List and was also a "minor" Truman Capote' "swan" although the two were not as close as he was with the other "swans". She died in 1980.
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