Elvina Pallavicini
Encyclopedia
Princess Elvina Pallavicini was an Italian noblewoman, member of the Pallavicini family, part of, and often considered the leader of, the so-called Black Nobility
in Rome
during the second half of 20th century.
She was born in Genua on January 22, 1914 as Elvina dei Medici del Vascello, daughter of Giacomo dei Marchesi Medici del Vascello (1883-1949) and his wife, née Olga Leumann (d. 1966). In 1939 she married Guglielmo Marius Hubert Marie de Pierre de Bernis de Courtavel, who in 1937 was made prince Pallavicini. The prince was a military pilot in the Regia Aeronautica
and became Missing in action
on August 1, 1940 after an air fight over the Mediterranean (he was officially declared dead by an Italian court ten years later, in 1950).
The spouses' only daughter, Maria Camilla, who later married Armando Diaz della Vittoria, was born after his death. During the Nazi occupation of Rome after the Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces, princess Pallavicini was supported Italian Royalist partisans and was later awarded bronze medal of military valor for that.
Starting from 1977, princess Elvina Pallavicini led a group of Black Nobility that provided support for Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
. She was also actively involved in politics, in particular, supporting the policies of the US Vice President Dick Cheney
and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
.
Princess Elvina Pallavicini, sometimes called the “black queen” or the “first lady” of Roman nobility, died on August 29, 2004 at Cortina d'Ampezzo
. Her funeral in the basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina was attended by numerous representatives of Italian government as well as nobility.
Black Nobility
The Black Nobility are Roman aristocratic families who sided with the Papacy under Pope Pius IX after the Savoy family-led army of the Kingdom of Italy entered Rome on September 20, 1870, overthrew the Pope and the Papal States, and took over the Apostolic Palace, and any nobles subsequently...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
during the second half of 20th century.
She was born in Genua on January 22, 1914 as Elvina dei Medici del Vascello, daughter of Giacomo dei Marchesi Medici del Vascello (1883-1949) and his wife, née Olga Leumann (d. 1966). In 1939 she married Guglielmo Marius Hubert Marie de Pierre de Bernis de Courtavel, who in 1937 was made prince Pallavicini. The prince was a military pilot in the Regia Aeronautica
Italian Air Force
The Italian Air Force has gone under different names in different periods:*Regia Aeronautica , from 1923 to June 1946*Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, the air force of Italian Social Republic during World War II...
and became Missing in action
Mía
Mía is a song written by Mexican songwriter Armando Manzanero. Was first released as a double-side single along with the track "Felicidad" in 1969...
on August 1, 1940 after an air fight over the Mediterranean (he was officially declared dead by an Italian court ten years later, in 1950).
The spouses' only daughter, Maria Camilla, who later married Armando Diaz della Vittoria, was born after his death. During the Nazi occupation of Rome after the Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces, princess Pallavicini was supported Italian Royalist partisans and was later awarded bronze medal of military valor for that.
Starting from 1977, princess Elvina Pallavicini led a group of Black Nobility that provided support for Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
Marcel Lefebvre
Marcel François Marie Joseph Lefebvre was a French Roman Catholic archbishop. Following a career as an Apostolic Delegate for West Africa and Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers, he took the lead in opposing the changes within the Church associated with the Second Vatican Council.In 1970,...
. She was also actively involved in politics, in particular, supporting the policies of the US Vice President Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Henry Rumsfeld is an American politician and businessman. Rumsfeld served as the 13th Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, and as the 21st Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. He is both the youngest and the oldest person to...
.
Princess Elvina Pallavicini, sometimes called the “black queen” or the “first lady” of Roman nobility, died on August 29, 2004 at Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a town and comune in the southern Alps located in Veneto, a region in Northern Italy. Located in the heart of the Dolomites in an alpine valley, it is a popular winter sport resort known for its ski-ranges, scenery, accommodations, shops and après-ski scene...
. Her funeral in the basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina was attended by numerous representatives of Italian government as well as nobility.