The Scandalous Life of Lady Thelma Furness. The Woman Before Wallis Simpson.

step into the Gilded chaos of Thelma furness's life a tale spun with threads of Scandal and Whispers of forbidden love born in the Serene Embrace of the Swiss Alps Thelma's existence was a dazzling contradiction of innocence and Intrigue as a twin entwined in an almost ethereal Bond The Fabulous Morgan sisters wo through the Jazz soaked nights of Manhattan where the glitter of Broadway Stars mingled with the shadows of bootleggers Thelma's magnetic charm and snared legends like Charlie Chaplain and The Dashing Aly KH her Affairs igniting gossip from Hollywood's Golden Hills to London's aristocratic salons but it was her incendiary liaison with the Prince of Wales that truly set the stage of Blaze and her introducing him to Wallace Simpson that led to the abdication crisis That Shook an Empire Thelma's Ascent to nobility as lady Furness added yet another layer of Allure positioning her at the heart of British High Society her story is a symphony of clandestine Rendevous shimmering ballrooms and shattered Hearts where every glance held a promise and every whisper carried the weight of dynasties join us as we unravel A Narrative of passion and betrayal a testament to a woman who danced on the edge of Legend leaving a trail of Seduction and scandal in her wake this is the story of the scandalous life of Lady Thelma Furness born in 1904 in Switzerland she emerged as one half of a twin constellation born one minute before her twin Gloria to an American Diplomat Harry hay Morgan and his indomitable wife Laura Mrs Morgan a blend of Irish American fervor and Chilean passion was the daughter of an American Civil War General the Morgans already had a son Harry and a daughter consuello but the twins swiftly captivated Laura's allc consuming Focus identical in appearance the sisters were indistinguishable even to their parents their lovers and eventually their children only a small Scar from roller skating set Thelma apart their bond was so profound it bordered on the telepathic and through every Tempest they stood United their father's diplomatic duties LED them from the Swiss Alps to the canals of Holland and the sunlit streets of Barcelona their English tinged with a French Spanish Lil and a slight stammer was as eclectic as their upbringing which was haphazard and rootless instilling in them a deep-seated insecurity their mother a Mercurial Force alternated between suffocating affection and Volcanic rage Laura's Creed was that true friendship was an illusion as people always sought something in return and that success for women lay in manipulating men with their feminine Wilds as the first world war loomed they fled Spain and the twins were deposited in a boarding school Misfits in this new world they clung to each other amidst the cold and unwelcoming environment of England loathing everything from the weather to the food and the people a brief stint at another Swiss boarding school ended when their parents relocated to America in a daring move they falsified a telegram to join them Thelma wrote the console using her father's name and requested two more tickets both for her and her sister her father took it in good stride and with that they were off to America their arrival in New York in 1916 caused a sensation with their parents often absent the twins attended the convent of the Sacred Heart and were left there for long periods as their parents traveled around the world the girls saw their mother only four times in 3 years at 17 they took an unprecedented step moving into a brownstone apartment in New York their youth and Independence were rare their parents were in Brussels and a Vigilant land lady watched over them they reveled in the vibrant Manhattan nightlife and quickly became celebrities in the gossip columns in these nightclubs Broadway stars waltzed with Bootleggers film stars dukes and convicts the egalitarian Spirit of these Knights eased their entry into New York Society soon making them fixtures at nightclubs debutant balls and tea parties they had been smoking since they were 13 and loved cocktails which were the height of fashion as it was a way to disguise the bad taste of some of the bootleg liquor smoking was a badge of modernity merely two decades before girls could be arrested for smoking in public it was also touted as a slenderizing Aid both girls were deaf needle workers and crafted most of their own clothes together they made a striking impact the gossip columnist Charlie nicker Boer became friends with the girls and helped turn them into socialites dubbing them The Marvelous Morgan sisters they attracted a great deal of male attention but Thelma claims in her biography they had a strong sense of propriety which made Affairs Unthinkable they craved romance love marriage and children soon felma met James Vil Converse Junior at a dinner party and they eloped to get married in Maryland James came from a wealthy family but had squandered much of his fortune in a failed oil Venture the couple moved to Florida after a few months she began to miss her sister Gloria terribly and James proved to be an abusive alcoholic it was only after a miscarriage caused by a fall that she resolved to leave him while she lay seriously ill in the hospital it was Gloria not James who remained steadfastly by her side during her divorce proceedings the girls relocated to California and Thelma decided to pursue a career in acting however Fame proved elusive despite a few minor roles her acting career never soared but her social life flourished she went swimming at Pickfair the Glamorous home of Mary pford and Douglas Fairbanks there she met Charlie chap and had a fleeting Affair the newspapers even speculated on an impending marriage but it was merely a casual liaison to quell the gossip she distanced herself from him and within months he remarried drawn to older men she began an affair with the 50-year-old Richard Bennett however she soon decided that neither acting nor Bennett was her calling and she departed for Europe to visit her parents and her sister Consuelo in Europe she reinvented herself once again at a dinner in Paris she met marmaduk Fess a Lord and one of Britain's wealthiest men he was considered one of the most brilliant businessmen in the city Duke as he was known to his friends was 20 years older than Thelma he had been married before and gossip swirled around the mysterious death of his first wife she had died aboard his yacht despite there being a doctor on board she could not be saved and though there was adequate Refrigeration on board she was hastily buried at Sea Lord Furness had two grown-up children ail and Christopher known as dick the first evening they met Duke took her dancing in the nightclubs where they indulged in champagne and caviar he sent her flowers the next morning hoping they would stay fresh until they met again he returned 2 weeks later and would visit her almost every other weekend they frequented the Racecourse by day and dined in the finest restaurants by Night Thelma recalls how the they were always given the best tables and Duke indulged her every whim one night at the embassy Club he asked her when her divorce would be finalized Thelma said her husband was still hoping for a Reconciliation Duke then arranged for private detectives to follow her husband and within a month he agreed to the divorce her mother Laura promptly held a press conference to announce her daughter's engagement they got married in June 1926 at St George's registers office they had a small ceremony at one of Duke's houses on Arlington Street in the first months of their marriage Duke gave in to her every whim and she thought him a perfect husband in her Memoir she says she was never happier in March 1929 she gave birth to a boy William Anthony named Tony she was part of a generation of society women whose children were taken care of by nannies excessive preoccupation with children was thought to be a Bourgeois Instinct l later when she was blamed for her lack of motherliness with her child she blamed English nannies whom she said simply wouldn't allow her in the nursery her niece little Gloria Vanderbilt corroborated her story she said Tony's nurse was awful and and hated it when Thelma came into the nursery little Gloria called The Nanny an old witch a few months postpartum Duke's roving eye began to wander and he took up an affair with Peggy Hopkins a woman who had married and divorced six Millionaires and was largely thought of as a gold digger felma confessed in her biography that had he remained faithful so would she she felt abandoned and wounded it was in the summer of 1929 shortly after discovering her husband's infidelity that she re-encountered the Prince of Wales she had first met the prince in 1926 at a party with her husband Lord Furness she spoke later of how handsome she thought he was and that his eyes captivated her he welcomed her to England and asked her to dance a vienes waltz upon seeing her again 3 years later he immediately approached to congratulate her on the birth of her son inquiring if she often visited London and extended an invitation for her to dine with him the following week yet the tale is shrouded in conflicting versions The Prince recalled meeting lady fernus at a house party and later on the same train to London inviting her to join him out of sheer boredom despite Thelma's claims of not seeing the prince for years after their initial encounter they had reportedly attended several events together even dancing on a few occasions the speculation about Thelma's honesty stems from the timing concerning the birth of her son Tony establishing the precise date of her relationship with the prince was crucial as Tony was born in 1929 according to Duke's stepdaughter Lord Furness doubted Tony's paternity cruy referring to him as the bastard while there is no conclusive evidence about Tony's father his striking resemblance to his paternal grandfather suggests it was not the prince's child nonetheless in her Memoir Thelma sought to legitimize her son and dispel any doubts ironically by concealing meetings she inadvertently Drew attention to the timing making it seem as though she had something to hide during their dinner they sat by the fire sipping cocktails at York house Thelma found the prince effortlessly conversational she said that when they spoke it felt as though they had always known each other when he asked if he could call on her again soon she agreed and thus their Affair commenced he was the antithesis of Duke she adored his gentleness and shyness however throughout their liaison Edward's former mistress Freda Ward loomed in the background their conversations were limited to trivialities and mutual acquaintances he never Beed his soul to her in public Thelma maintained a facade of marital harmony with her husband privately however she devoted her time to Edward her sister Gloria provided invaluable support relocating to London and renting a house to offer the couple a discret meeting place the prince invited Thelma to come with him on an African safari in her memoirs Thelma recounts their idilic holiday mornings began with Edward waking her at dawn before he ventured into the bush their tents pitch side by side evenings were spent together by the fire under the vast African Sky their return Journey was fraught with Peril when Edward fell Gravely ill collapsing over the steering wheel Thelma paralyzed with fear feared he might die miraculously Edward managed to drive them to safety arriving at their train with a fever of 105° later diagnosed with malaria as their Affair intensified Thelma was viewed as a negative influence that she was part of a fast- living set that clashed with the country's economic woes her American Origins fueled further criticism as Edward became more tardy and frequently seen out late public opinion turned against him the perception was that Thelma's influence was making him too Democratic and common introducing a touch of vulgarity to his household evident when she brought cocktails to his home which the butler refused to serve the prince finally convinced him to mix the cocktails but that he would put the ice in himself as in the American style to save the butler the indignity the king's concern grew over the 38-year-old prince's bachelorhood and various Royal candidates including a German princess suggested by Hitler were proposed as potential Brides but none captured Edward's interest he declared he had only ever wished to marry Freda but the king viewed her as unacceptable in 1931 The Prince and Thelma's visit to a Catholic Shrine sparked controversy given the Protestant identity of the British Monarchy the British public and press criticized the prince's actions finding it inappropriate for the future head of the Church of England to engage in Catholic practices even superficially Thelma baffled by the outrage received supportive letters from Catholics unaware of the full implications of such actions on the Protestant monarchy it is unjust to paint her as a malign figure the DU Duchess of York appreciated her and the couples often socialized Thelma was mesmerized by The Prince and failed to discourage his more indulgent Tendencies leading to perceptions of him being more spoiled and petulant their quiet weekends away allowed Edward to escape his public life's artificiality in the evenings they found contentment in Simple Pleasures stitching tapestries side by side Thelma cherished these moments of Tranquility whenever separated they exchanged pink and green Teddy bearss ensuring a part of each other remained close Edward affectionately signed his letters with love from the bear Thelma is perhaps most remembered for introducing Wallace Simpson to the prince at the time Wallace was married to her second husband and was Thelma's friend however accounts of their introduction vary Thelma claimed it was in late 1930 or early 1931 during cocktails brought by Consuelo Edward recalled a different time during a hunting trip while Wallace insisted it was Winter 1931 without Consuelo's presence Wallace was gradually integrated into the Morgan sister Circle borrowing their clothes for events The Simpsons became regulars at Fort badier initially Edward was hesitant disliking Ernest Simpson but Thelma persuaded him valuing Wallace as a dear friend Wallace downplayed their Intimacy in her autobiography claiming they were not close and did not share confidences despite this Thelma gifted Wallace three rings Ruby diamond and silver for Christmas they would read to each other at meetings though Wallace complained about Thelma's reading style and voice in Her letters home Thelma considering Wallace witty and Charming felt secure never perceiving her as a threat yet Wallace's sharp wit and repar captivated Edward thma blinded by friendship missed the budding romance and Wallace repeatedly assured her she had no romantic interest in Edward in 1933 Thelma finally divorced Duke who did not contest to avoid involving the royal family the prospect of a twice divorced woman marrying the heir to the throne seemed unlikely and Thelma realized she could be no more than the prince's mistress she confided in a friend that her life felt stagnant felma was blossoming into a style icon in January 1934 she graced an advertisement for Pawn's Cold Cream King George loathed women wearing makeup and detested any self-aggrandizement and this was seen as another stain in Thelma's reputation early in 1934 Thelma decided to travel to America to see her sister Gloria they exchanged heartfelt goodbyes and their cherished teddy bears a few days before her departure Thelma met with Wallace Simpson Wallace assured her that the prince would be lonely without her and Thelma requested that Wallace keep an eye on him to ensure he stayed out of Mischief Wallace agreed once she was gone Wallace and Edward became Fast Friends he attended her cocktail parties regularly finding her an engaging conversationalist on topics ranging from politics to literature and the situation in Germany unlike Thelma Wallace was well-versed in politics and she often debated her ideas with the prince who admired her spiritedness she was the most independent woman I had ever met he wrote in his Memoir soon he was calling wallet two or three times a day she would mother him and boss him around earning his respect gossip soon emerged suggesting he was her latest Conquest Wallace denied the affair asserting she did not steal her friend's boyfriends across the pond Thelma now 30 began an affair with the 27-year-old Ali Khan the son of the head of the nazari ismaelis Muslims he was woried as a living deity Ali was mobbed on his tours and irresistible to women when Thelma was set to to return to England she found her cabin filled with red roses from Ali who had booked himself on the ship to spend more time with her gossip soon spread about Thelma and Ali claiming she had captured both the white Prince and the black prince the prince of Wales was not amused when he heard the news upon her return in 1934 Edward was polite but distant he told her he had heard about Ali's attentions Thelma asked if he was jealous but he did not respond as Edward remained cold Thelma sought advice from Wallace who reassured her that Edward still loved her and felt lost without her the following weekend Thelma joined Edward and Wallace at Fort badier she noticed the flirtation between Wallace and the prince and when she confronted Wallace she received a defiant look in return contemporaries often spoke of Wallace's psychological hold over the prince their letters were written in baby talk where he pleaded for her love and affection at dinners if he spoke too much she would kick him under the table then kick him again to get him to speak again we have two versions of events at the party Thelma asked Edward darling is it Wallace his features froze and he told her not to be silly before walking out Thelma left the next morning never to return Wallace claimed Thelma arrived at a dinner party banging on the door as if trying to break in she stormed into the party then Edward took her into the library people heard shouting before Thelma stormed out and Edward returned without explaining Wallace wrote to her aunt Thelma's rule is over Thelma's sister Gloria was grappling with her own troubles her husband had died and she was denied the trust fund he had set up for their child receiving only a meager monthly allowance now Gloria was fighting for custody of her daughter and Thelma immediately rushed to America to support her Thelma stood steadfastly by her sister through throughout the trial the ultimate betrayal came from their mother who sided with the Vanderbilts claiming older Gloria was an unfit mother the Two Sisters believed their mother did this to become little Gloria's guardian and gain access to her trust fund for more on this trial please check out our video on Gloria Vanderbilt when Thelma confronted her mother saying this was not how mothers behaved Mrs Morgan warned her to watch out or she would take her child away too Thelma retorted mama my child has a father alive and if there is any complaint it will come from him after the trial little Gloria was made a ward of the court and Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was put in charge of her breaking the heart of her mother after the case Thelma moved to New York to be near her sister and they opened a dress shop together they promoted their clothes across the country and in England even holding a fashion show in herod's from the start they lost money and soon Gloria declared bankruptcy when they decided to return to England a gossip columnist wrote Thelma fernus the former girlfriend of royalty has lost her glamour Furious she sued the newspaper and won $5,000 at the time any slander to a woman's reputation was caused for Lial in the months before World War II she reconciled with her first husband Lord Furness Duke asked to meet her for lunch and she realized he was Ill they agreed to put the past behind them she wanted to stay with Duke and help but as the war broke out she was advised to move to America with her son Tony to keep him safe from conscription a few months later her stepson dick was reported missing in action Witnesses said dick ran straight at the enemy to protect his column and was last seen spread eagle on a tank with a gun pointed at him he posum received the Victoria Cross when Duke heard the news he wept and his health deteriorated he died in October 19 1940 she bought a house with her sister in California and attended the smartest Hollywood parties most evenings she had a few Affairs but nothing serious Tony befriended Shirley Temple Rody McDowell and Elizabeth Taylor but found it hard to make friends at school he was often mocked being called his lordship he was still just 11 in the summer of 1941 little Gloria decided to move in with her mother and Aunt in California still a teenager they treated her as an adult and she went on dates with much older actors like Errol Flynn George Montgomery and the Mogul Howard Hughes when she married Pat to Chico her mother and Aunt were delighted despite his background and rumors that he was perhaps involved in the death of his first wife Gloria Senor and Thelma hosted a cocktail reception at their home at the end of the reception a gunman tried to Rob them coming in through the back door pretending he had a gun and saying this is a stickup Thelma gave up her $1,000 V for victory clips and said you are quite foolish to do this as the house is full of cops the robber then fled the next day while they were telling the press the gunman arrived at the door with a parcel inside were the clips and a note God in my right the British Monarch's motto after Gloria's marriage failed and she wanted to remarry a man 42 years older her mother and Aunt disagreed angered glor broke contact and did not see or speak with them for 15 years in her 40s Gloria's Health began to fail as she developed glaucoma when she became almost completely blind Thelma guided her with such skill that few people noticed her ailment in 1956 their mother Mrs Morgan died the sisters had forgiven her after the trial and were at her bedside when she passed the twins set up various short-lived businesses they made toys for a time then ventured into the the fragrance industry traveling around the country setting up Outlets but soon that two failed they then entered advertising in 1957 They promoted the slimming product AIDS in the ad Thelma said AIDS really works I can say that from my own experience in 1958 they wrote a joint Memoir called Double Exposure at the book's end they wrote if they had their lives to live over again they would probably do it all and make the same mistakes however in a later edition felma added I would do it all over again except introduce Wallace to the prince over the years Gloria senior and junor began to repair their relationship and Gloria Senor met her grandchildren little Gloria now with Wyatt Cooper and deeply in love hosted a grand 60th birthday party for her mother and Aunt when she discovered she was pregnant with Wyatt's child she invited her mother and Aunt to stay with her for the birth however Gloria was too ill and needed to be hospitalized Thelma as always Sat by her sister's side as little Gloria called to announce the birth of her son a short time later Gloria Morgan passed away from cancer little Gloria later wrote that she believed the only woman her mother truly loved was her twin Thelma survived five more years staying close to little Gloria and was able to see her son Tony give his first speech in the House of Lords in 1970 while visiting little Gloria she she fell ill and died of a heart attack on her way to the hospital in her handbag was the now threadbear miniature teddy bear she had exchanged with the prince years before she was buried with Gloria in the Holy Cross Cemetery Culver City Los Angeles Thelma fess's life was a tapestry woven with threads of Glamour Scandal and poignant love her affair with the Prince of Wales symbolized by the cherished threadbear teddy bear she carried until her death marked her as a woman who loved deeply and lost profoundly the bond with her twin sister Gloria unwavering and steadfast was the constant in a life filled with fleeting passions and tumultuous Affairs her story like a beautifully tragic novel lingers on a testament to a life lived vividly if not wisely thanks for watching this week's video on thma Furness please like comment and subscribe your support helps keep the channel going I love to hear your thoughts on the people we cover and who you would like to see next and as always thanks for watching

Channel: MythicMindScape

Views: 35,389

Keywords: Lady Thelma Furness, British royal scandal, Edward VIII abdication, Wallis Simpson, Gloria Vanderbilt, Charlie Chaplin affair, Ali Khan affair, 1920s high society, Prince of Wales mistress, Historical biographies, Royal family controversy, British nobility, Scandalous history, Jazz Age celebrities, Twin sisters high society

Id: AhSw8ehVw7E

Length: 26min 32sec (1592 seconds)

Published: Sat Jul 06 2024