Last Queen of Paris, Jacqueline de Ribes, Dies at 96
Countess Jacqueline de Ribes, affectionately known as the “last queen of Paris,” has passed away at the age of 96. The announcement was made on Wednesday by her office, speaking on behalf of the family, confirming her death in Switzerland. Her assistant, Stéphanie Mouly, provided further confirmation to AFP.
De Ribes was a multifaceted figure – a celebrated fashion designer, astute businesswoman, prominent jet-set personality, and a true embodiment of Parisian elegance, particularly admired in the United States. She cultivated close relationships with industry giants like Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino, and was also a dedicated patron of the arts and a generous philanthropist.
Her significant contributions to the fashion world were formally recognized in 2015 with a major exhibition at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibition showcased approximately 60 haute couture and ready-to-wear ensembles, spanning her career from 1962 onwards, all meticulously preserved and representing the legacy of this iconic figure.
Jacqueline de Ribes’ influence began to blossom early in her life. She first appeared on the list of the world’s best-dressed women in 1956, and in 1962, she was inducted into the Fashion Hall of Fame, garnering acclaim from leading fashion photographers worldwide. Born Jacqueline de La Bonninière de Beaumont on July 14, 1929, she was a free-spirited aristocrat with a lifelong passion for fashion.
She married Viscount (later Count) Edouard de Ribes (1923-2013) at the young age of 19. Before launching her own fashion house, de Ribes explored various creative avenues in 1962, including journalism, theatre, television, and interior design. Encouraged by Yves Saint Laurent, a designer whose client she was, she decided to pursue her vision of creating her own fashion label.
Her debut collection received widespread praise from the international press, and the United States quickly became her primary market. She successfully ran her couture house until 1995, when she retired due to health concerns.
The remarkable collection amassed with her husband was auctioned off at Sotheby's France at the end of 2019, realizing an impressive €22.8 million, including pre-emptive bids from prestigious institutions like the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, further cementing her lasting cultural impact.
