Magda Lupescu
Encyclopedia
Elena Lupescu better known as Magda Lupescu, was the mistress
of King Carol II of the Romanians
and later (after his abdication
), his wife.
Elena Lupescu was the daughter of Elise (or Eliza) and Nicolae Lupescu, an apothecary
. Her mother, née Falk, was an Austrian-born Jewess converted to the Roman Catholic Church
prior to her marriage. Most sources agree that Nicolae Lupescu was a Jew who adopted this name upon his conversion to Orthodox Christianity
, the established religion in Romania. There are three different versions as to his surname prior to conversion—it may have been Grünberg (variant spellings “Grunsberg”, “Grümberg”, etc.); or it may have been Wolff (variant spelling “Wolf”); or it may have been originally Grünberg and it was later changed to Wolff. The latter version is the most common, but, on balance, the first is the most probable. The nickname “Magda” by which she was later known is obscure. According to Elena Lupescu herself, it was originally a mistake of an Italian journalist; but according to an alternative version, “Magda” was, at the time, Bucharest slang for “reformed prostitute”.
She had a younger brother, Constantin Schloim Lupescu.
boarding school run by Bavarian nuns of the Institute of Mary from Nymphenburg, and one of the best school for girls in the country.
According to Arthur Quinlan
, at some point during Lupescu's childhood, her family moved to Sulina
, a port on the Danube
, where Nicolae Lupescu opened an apothecary. In 1912 they moved back to Jassy, and her father started a novelty shop. There is no information about Lupescu’s life during Romania’s participation in World War I
(1916–1918), when much of the country, including Bucharest, was occupied by the Central Powers and a temporary capital was established at Jassy.
On 17 February 1919, in Iaşi
, Lupescu married Ion Tâmpeanu, an officer of the Romanian Royal Army. There are few details of their life together; according to Quinlan, Elena did not adapt well to garrison life and had several affairs. The marriage ended in divorce, but it is not clear when; Quinlan places it in 1920. According to Easterman, she was still married to Tâmpeanu in 1923, when she first encountered Carol. After the divorce, Elena resumed her maiden name, Lupescu.
There is little merit to any of these arguments. As far as Romanian law of the time went, Nicolae Lupescu ceased being a Jew upon his conversion—there was nothing preventing him from owning an apothecary. But even before his conversion, the law could have been easily circumvented in a country as rife with corruption as Romania, especially in Jassy, where Jews were close to half of the city’s population.
As to Lupescu’s education, she was a German-speaking Catholic daughter of a Catholic mother, that is, the very student who would have been most readily admitted at a school run by German nuns. But even her being Jewish would not have necessarily constituted a major obstacle. For instance, between 1890 and 1916, Jews constituted, on average, 7% of the student body of the Lycée “Gheorghe Lazăr” of Bucharest, a boys’ school described as “the school of the Romanian élite
”.
Finally, her marriage to an Army officer would not have been problematic, because neither she nor her parents were legally Jewish, and most Romanians would not have regarded her as such. That came later, during the Big Economical Crisis, when the more benign character of Romanian anti-Semitism gradually changed and her parents’ Jewish origins were stressed for political reasons.
Lupescu was a witty and outspoken woman; a tall, perhaps fleshy, redhead with milky-white skin and green eyes. Other sources are less flattering, describing her features as coarse and her conversation as vulgar. All sources agree that she walked with a peculiar swing of the hips, which, depending on one’s point of view, was either sexy or crude, and that she was, in almost every respect, the opposite of Crown Princess Elena
, Carol’s spouse at the time.
Carol made no effort to hide the relationship; on the contrary, he flaunted it, and it was that, rather than his marital infidelity or Elena Lupescu’s character or background which caused the ensuing scandal. The scandal was aggravated by Carol’s earlier behavior (during the war he had contracted a morganatic marriage to Ioana “Zizi” Lambrino
, although Romania’s Constitution forbade Crown Princes to marry Romanian citizens), as well as by the enmity between Carol and the very powerful Brătianu clan. It was supporters of the latter who fostered the first anti-Semitic attacks against Elena Lupescu. But, initially, knowledge of the royal scandal was restricted to the Bucharest élite and to the foreign press; the Romanian press was prevented by censorship from reporting it.
Matters came to a head in December 1925, when Carol, having represented the Romanian royal family at the funeral of Queen Alexandra
, eventually ended up in Milan in company of Elena Lupescu, making the front page of almost every Italian newspaper.
Carol was aware that, as Crown Prince, his marrying Lupescu, or, as he called her, “Duduia” was, on constitutional as well as social grounds, out of the question. He abdicated his rights to the succession to the Romanian throne, as well as his membership in the royal family (he had done so once before, in connexion to his first marriage, but that renunciation had been later rescinded), and adopted the name of “Carol Caraiman”. The renunciation was ratified by Parliament on 4 January 1926, and four-year-old Mihai, Carol’s son with Crown Princess Elena, became heir apparent; Carol was banned from returning to Romania. Elena, by that time Queen Mother, divorced Carol in 1928.
King Ferdinand
, Carol’s father, died in 1927; Mihai succeeded to the throne and a regency headed by Crown Prince Nicolae
, Carol’s younger brother, came into being. The regency proved unstable, and the political instability increased when Ion I. C. Brătianu
, head of the Brătianu clan and leader of the National-Liberal party, died unexpectedly. His younger brothers lacked both his strength of character and his political acumen, and their hold on power weakened. In late 1928 the Liberal government was replaced by a coalition headed by Iuliu Maniu
; Carol’s return seemed now to be only a matter of time. Negotiations were carried out through various intermediaries, while Carol’s supporters, including Crown Prince Nicolae and a number of Army officers, tried to pressure the government into speeding his return. Although no written evidence exists, it is likely that eventually Carol made two promises to Maniu: that he would join the regency, rather than lay claim to the throne, and that he would give up Elena Lupescu. He intended to keep neither.
Carol returned unopposed to Romania on 6 June 1930, and immediately mounted what was essentially a constitutional coup. His renunciation was declared invalid by Parliament with an overwhelming majority, and he was proclaimed King in short order. When he brought back “Duduia” is not clear; it may have been as early as the end of June, or it may have been August, but she was definitely in Bucharest by October. From then on, she was, in all but name, Carol’s wife and his partner in his political enterprises.
During the reign of King Carol II (1930–1940), corruption and political intrigue in Romania rose to unprecedented heights. Carol and Duduia weathered economic crisis, labour unrest, the rise of Fascism, assassination attempts and military plots, to become the master manipulators of Romanian politics. Those Carol could not bribe, he forced into retirement (Maniu) or imprisoned (Ion Antonescu
); those he could not bend to his will, he suppressed ruthlessly (the Legion of the Archangel Michael); and, in the process, the couple accumulated an impressive fortune.
Lupescu is sometimes described as the power behind the throne, especially by those close to the extreme right. Duduia undoubtedly enjoyed a great deal of influence of the King, but Carol's actions were entirely consistent with his behaviour prior to meeting Elena Lupescu. Moreover, the speed with which, upon his return, when Duduia was still abroad, he out-manoeuvred any opposition to his plans is ample demonstration of his political abilities. Their relationship is perhaps best viewed as a partnership, with Elena the junior, but very influential, partner.
Lupescu did not enjoy official status and until 1938 did not accompany the King on state functions. However, she entertained at her Aleea Vulpache villa in downtown Bucharest the cream of Romanian high society: politicians, industrialists (Max Auschnitt
, Nicolae Malaxa
), press magnates (Pamfil Șeicaru), and blue-blooded aristocrats (Marthe Bibesco
). It was even rumoured at some point (but never proved) that the leader of the violently anti-Semitic Iron Guard, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu
, might have been hiding there from the police.
In 1938, Carol put an end to parliamentary democracy and proclaimed himself a dictator
. But international developments were beyond his control. By the summer of 1940, France
had fallen and the Versailles system
had collapsed, leaving Romania friendless and almost completely surrounded by enemies. In quick succession, without firing a shot in her own defence, Romania was forced to make painful territorial concessions to the USSR, to Hungary, and to Bulgaria. Whether any government could have survived such a catastrophe is doubtful; but to survive both it and Hitler’s personal enmity was impossible.
By early September, Carol was out of options. He was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Mihai (6 September); General Antonescu assumed dictatorial powers with the support of the Army and most political parties. A few days later, Carol, Duduia, their faithful aide, Ernest Urdăreanu, and as many belongings as they could pack in a hurry, left Romania aboard a special train. They crossed the border in a hail of bullets: the Legionnaires were trying to revenge their leader, assassinated on Carol’s orders.
. When Romania joined the war on Hitler’s side, Carol explored the possibility of setting up a Romanian government in exile; but his proposals were rebuffed by both the British and the Americans. In 1944 he contacted the Soviets with a similar purpose, but Stalin never answered and developments in Romania made Carol’s proposal moot.
Lupescu did not tolerate well Mexico City’s high altitude, so in 1944 they moved to Rio de Janeiro
, Brazil
. But her health did not improve; by early 1947 her condition was diagnosed as pernicious anaemia. After 22 years together, Carol and Elena Lupescu were finally married in a hotel room in Rio de Janeiro, either on 3 June 1947 or on 5 July 1947; it was Carol’s third marriage, and Elena’s second. Henceforward, she would be known as Princess Elena of Romania.
Lupescu’s health improved, but they were advised to move to a more temperate climate. Carol and Elena finally settled in Estoril
, Portugal. There Carol died suddenly of a heart attack in 1953. He was interred in the royal pantheon of the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
in Lisbon
. Elena survived him by 24 years, and was eventually buried next to him.
In 2003, the remains of King Carol II and Princess Elena of Romania were brought back to the country of their birth at the request and expense of the government of Romania. They were interred in the Curtea de Argeş
Monastery complex, the traditional burial ground of Romanian royalty; but, not being of royal blood, Elena was buried in the monastery’s cemetery, rather than in the Royal Chapel.
Mistress (lover)
A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
of King Carol II of the Romanians
Carol II of Romania
Carol II reigned as King of Romania from 8 June 1930 until 6 September 1940. Eldest son of Ferdinand, King of Romania, and his wife, Queen Marie, a daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, the second eldest son of Queen Victoria...
and later (after his abdication
Abdication
Abdication occurs when a monarch, such as a king or emperor, renounces his office.-Terminology:The word abdication comes derives from the Latin abdicatio. meaning to disown or renounce...
), his wife.
Parents and siblings
Precise details of Lupescu's life are often difficult to ascertain. This is due partly to the circumstances of the time and place, partly to unintentional mistakes and typographical errors, and partly to outright fabrications and obfuscations by her friends and enemies, and by herself.Elena Lupescu was the daughter of Elise (or Eliza) and Nicolae Lupescu, an apothecary
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
. Her mother, née Falk, was an Austrian-born Jewess converted to the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
prior to her marriage. Most sources agree that Nicolae Lupescu was a Jew who adopted this name upon his conversion to Orthodox Christianity
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
, the established religion in Romania. There are three different versions as to his surname prior to conversion—it may have been Grünberg (variant spellings “Grunsberg”, “Grümberg”, etc.); or it may have been Wolff (variant spelling “Wolf”); or it may have been originally Grünberg and it was later changed to Wolff. The latter version is the most common, but, on balance, the first is the most probable. The nickname “Magda” by which she was later known is obscure. According to Elena Lupescu herself, it was originally a mistake of an Italian journalist; but according to an alternative version, “Magda” was, at the time, Bucharest slang for “reformed prostitute”.
She had a younger brother, Constantin Schloim Lupescu.
Early life
Lupescu was raised from birth as a Catholic. She was educated at the “Diaconesele”, a BucharestBucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
boarding school run by Bavarian nuns of the Institute of Mary from Nymphenburg, and one of the best school for girls in the country.
According to Arthur Quinlan
Arthur Quinlan
Arthur Quinlan is a print journalist for The Irish Times, formerly based at Shannon Airport. Shannon is the most westerly airport in Europe and an important fuel stop for both eastward and westward traffic. As journalist there for over half a century, he has had a unique opportunity to meet and...
, at some point during Lupescu's childhood, her family moved to Sulina
Sulina
Sulina is a town and free port in Tulcea County, Romania, at the mouth of the Sulina branch of the Danube. It is the easternmost point of Romania and of the continental European Union.-History:...
, a port on the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
, where Nicolae Lupescu opened an apothecary. In 1912 they moved back to Jassy, and her father started a novelty shop. There is no information about Lupescu’s life during Romania’s participation in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(1916–1918), when much of the country, including Bucharest, was occupied by the Central Powers and a temporary capital was established at Jassy.
On 17 February 1919, in Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, Lupescu married Ion Tâmpeanu, an officer of the Romanian Royal Army. There are few details of their life together; according to Quinlan, Elena did not adapt well to garrison life and had several affairs. The marriage ended in divorce, but it is not clear when; Quinlan places it in 1920. According to Easterman, she was still married to Tâmpeanu in 1923, when she first encountered Carol. After the divorce, Elena resumed her maiden name, Lupescu.
A royal origin?
Some (e.g., Easterman, p. 81–85), suggest something mysterious about Lupescu’s origins and early life; that, indeed, she may have been of royal blood, an illegitimate daughter of King Carol I, and thus a cousin of Carol II. There are three main arguments: that Romanian law at the time barred Jews from owning apothecaries, and hence there was something unusual about Elena’s father owning one; that it was unusual for a girl of Lupescu’s parentage to be accepted at one of the best schools in Bucharest; and that it was highly unusual for a Romanian army officer to be allowed to marry someone of Jewish background.There is little merit to any of these arguments. As far as Romanian law of the time went, Nicolae Lupescu ceased being a Jew upon his conversion—there was nothing preventing him from owning an apothecary. But even before his conversion, the law could have been easily circumvented in a country as rife with corruption as Romania, especially in Jassy, where Jews were close to half of the city’s population.
As to Lupescu’s education, she was a German-speaking Catholic daughter of a Catholic mother, that is, the very student who would have been most readily admitted at a school run by German nuns. But even her being Jewish would not have necessarily constituted a major obstacle. For instance, between 1890 and 1916, Jews constituted, on average, 7% of the student body of the Lycée “Gheorghe Lazăr” of Bucharest, a boys’ school described as “the school of the Romanian élite
Elite
Elite refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence...
”.
Finally, her marriage to an Army officer would not have been problematic, because neither she nor her parents were legally Jewish, and most Romanians would not have regarded her as such. That came later, during the Big Economical Crisis, when the more benign character of Romanian anti-Semitism gradually changed and her parents’ Jewish origins were stressed for political reasons.
Royal mistress
The circumstances of the first encounter between Lupescu and Crown Prince Carol (later King Carol II of Romania) are obscure. According to Paul-Philippe Hohenzollern, who cites Carol’s diaries, they first met in March 1923, when she was still married to Tâmpeanu. It may have been a chance encounter at a car race, or it may have been arranged, at Elena’s request, by a photographer named Posmantir employed by Fundația Carol I, a charitable organisation founded by Carol’s grand-uncle. A second meeting may have been arranged by one of Carol’s friends, Tăutu, a Romanian Navy Captain. At any rate, two years later, in February 1925, Carol and Lupescu began a serious relationship, which endured until his death in 1953.Lupescu was a witty and outspoken woman; a tall, perhaps fleshy, redhead with milky-white skin and green eyes. Other sources are less flattering, describing her features as coarse and her conversation as vulgar. All sources agree that she walked with a peculiar swing of the hips, which, depending on one’s point of view, was either sexy or crude, and that she was, in almost every respect, the opposite of Crown Princess Elena
Elena of Greece and Denmark
Princess Helen of Greece and Denmark was the wife of King Carol II of Romania and the mother of King Michael I of Romania...
, Carol’s spouse at the time.
Carol made no effort to hide the relationship; on the contrary, he flaunted it, and it was that, rather than his marital infidelity or Elena Lupescu’s character or background which caused the ensuing scandal. The scandal was aggravated by Carol’s earlier behavior (during the war he had contracted a morganatic marriage to Ioana “Zizi” Lambrino
Zizi Lambrino
Joanna Marie Valentina "Zizi" Lambrino was the first wife of King Carol II of Romania...
, although Romania’s Constitution forbade Crown Princes to marry Romanian citizens), as well as by the enmity between Carol and the very powerful Brătianu clan. It was supporters of the latter who fostered the first anti-Semitic attacks against Elena Lupescu. But, initially, knowledge of the royal scandal was restricted to the Bucharest élite and to the foreign press; the Romanian press was prevented by censorship from reporting it.
Matters came to a head in December 1925, when Carol, having represented the Romanian royal family at the funeral of Queen Alexandra
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
, eventually ended up in Milan in company of Elena Lupescu, making the front page of almost every Italian newspaper.
Carol was aware that, as Crown Prince, his marrying Lupescu, or, as he called her, “Duduia” was, on constitutional as well as social grounds, out of the question. He abdicated his rights to the succession to the Romanian throne, as well as his membership in the royal family (he had done so once before, in connexion to his first marriage, but that renunciation had been later rescinded), and adopted the name of “Carol Caraiman”. The renunciation was ratified by Parliament on 4 January 1926, and four-year-old Mihai, Carol’s son with Crown Princess Elena, became heir apparent; Carol was banned from returning to Romania. Elena, by that time Queen Mother, divorced Carol in 1928.
King Ferdinand
Ferdinand I of Romania
Ferdinand was the King of Romania from 10 October 1914 until his death.-Early life:Born in Sigmaringen in southwestern Germany, the Roman Catholic Prince Ferdinand Viktor Albert Meinrad of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, later simply of Hohenzollern, was a son of Leopold, Prince of...
, Carol’s father, died in 1927; Mihai succeeded to the throne and a regency headed by Crown Prince Nicolae
Prince Nicholas of Romania
| style="float:right;"|Prince Nicholas of Romania was the second son of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie of Romania.- Biography :Born in Peleş Castle, Sinaia, Nicholas was the younger brother of Carol, heir apparent, who renounced his rights of succession on 12 December 1925...
, Carol’s younger brother, came into being. The regency proved unstable, and the political instability increased when Ion I. C. Brătianu
Ion I. C. Bratianu
Ion I. C. Brătianu was a Romanian politician, leader of the National Liberal Party , the Prime Minister of Romania for five terms, and Foreign Minister on several occasions; he was the eldest son of statesman and PNL leader Ion Brătianu, the brother of Vintilă and Dinu Brătianu, and the father of...
, head of the Brătianu clan and leader of the National-Liberal party, died unexpectedly. His younger brothers lacked both his strength of character and his political acumen, and their hold on power weakened. In late 1928 the Liberal government was replaced by a coalition headed by Iuliu Maniu
Iuliu Maniu
Iuliu Maniu was an Austro-Hungarian-born Romanian politician. A leader of the National Party of Transylvania and Banat before and after World War I, he served as Prime Minister of Romania for three terms during 1928–1933, and, with Ion Mihalache, co-founded the National Peasants'...
; Carol’s return seemed now to be only a matter of time. Negotiations were carried out through various intermediaries, while Carol’s supporters, including Crown Prince Nicolae and a number of Army officers, tried to pressure the government into speeding his return. Although no written evidence exists, it is likely that eventually Carol made two promises to Maniu: that he would join the regency, rather than lay claim to the throne, and that he would give up Elena Lupescu. He intended to keep neither.
Carol returned unopposed to Romania on 6 June 1930, and immediately mounted what was essentially a constitutional coup. His renunciation was declared invalid by Parliament with an overwhelming majority, and he was proclaimed King in short order. When he brought back “Duduia” is not clear; it may have been as early as the end of June, or it may have been August, but she was definitely in Bucharest by October. From then on, she was, in all but name, Carol’s wife and his partner in his political enterprises.
During the reign of King Carol II (1930–1940), corruption and political intrigue in Romania rose to unprecedented heights. Carol and Duduia weathered economic crisis, labour unrest, the rise of Fascism, assassination attempts and military plots, to become the master manipulators of Romanian politics. Those Carol could not bribe, he forced into retirement (Maniu) or imprisoned (Ion Antonescu
Ion Antonescu
Ion Victor Antonescu was a Romanian soldier, authoritarian politician and convicted war criminal. The Prime Minister and Conducător during most of World War II, he presided over two successive wartime dictatorships...
); those he could not bend to his will, he suppressed ruthlessly (the Legion of the Archangel Michael); and, in the process, the couple accumulated an impressive fortune.
Lupescu is sometimes described as the power behind the throne, especially by those close to the extreme right. Duduia undoubtedly enjoyed a great deal of influence of the King, but Carol's actions were entirely consistent with his behaviour prior to meeting Elena Lupescu. Moreover, the speed with which, upon his return, when Duduia was still abroad, he out-manoeuvred any opposition to his plans is ample demonstration of his political abilities. Their relationship is perhaps best viewed as a partnership, with Elena the junior, but very influential, partner.
Lupescu did not enjoy official status and until 1938 did not accompany the King on state functions. However, she entertained at her Aleea Vulpache villa in downtown Bucharest the cream of Romanian high society: politicians, industrialists (Max Auschnitt
Max Auschnitt
Max Auschnitt, also known as Auschnit or Auşnit , was a Romanian industrialist and rival of Nicolae Malaxa, who played an important role before World War II. Together with Aristide Blank and Malaxa, he was one of the major businessmen present in King Carol II's camarilla...
, Nicolae Malaxa
Nicolae Malaxa
-Biography:Born in a family of Greek origins in Huşi, Malaxa studied engineering in Iaşi and Karlsruhe...
), press magnates (Pamfil Șeicaru), and blue-blooded aristocrats (Marthe Bibesco
Marthe Bibesco
Marthe, Princess Bibesco was a Romanian-French writer of the Belle Époque...
). It was even rumoured at some point (but never proved) that the leader of the violently anti-Semitic Iron Guard, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu
Corneliu Zelea Codreanu was a Romanian politician of the far right, the founder and charismatic leader of the Iron Guard or The Legion of the Archangel Michael , an ultra-nationalist and violently antisemitic organization active throughout most of the interwar period...
, might have been hiding there from the police.
In 1938, Carol put an end to parliamentary democracy and proclaimed himself a dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
. But international developments were beyond his control. By the summer of 1940, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
had fallen and the Versailles system
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The other Central Powers on the German side of...
had collapsed, leaving Romania friendless and almost completely surrounded by enemies. In quick succession, without firing a shot in her own defence, Romania was forced to make painful territorial concessions to the USSR, to Hungary, and to Bulgaria. Whether any government could have survived such a catastrophe is doubtful; but to survive both it and Hitler’s personal enmity was impossible.
By early September, Carol was out of options. He was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Mihai (6 September); General Antonescu assumed dictatorial powers with the support of the Army and most political parties. A few days later, Carol, Duduia, their faithful aide, Ernest Urdăreanu, and as many belongings as they could pack in a hurry, left Romania aboard a special train. They crossed the border in a hail of bullets: the Legionnaires were trying to revenge their leader, assassinated on Carol’s orders.
In exile
They travelled to Spain, then to Portugal, and eventually they settled in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
. When Romania joined the war on Hitler’s side, Carol explored the possibility of setting up a Romanian government in exile; but his proposals were rebuffed by both the British and the Americans. In 1944 he contacted the Soviets with a similar purpose, but Stalin never answered and developments in Romania made Carol’s proposal moot.
Lupescu did not tolerate well Mexico City’s high altitude, so in 1944 they moved to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. But her health did not improve; by early 1947 her condition was diagnosed as pernicious anaemia. After 22 years together, Carol and Elena Lupescu were finally married in a hotel room in Rio de Janeiro, either on 3 June 1947 or on 5 July 1947; it was Carol’s third marriage, and Elena’s second. Henceforward, she would be known as Princess Elena of Romania.
Lupescu’s health improved, but they were advised to move to a more temperate climate. Carol and Elena finally settled in Estoril
Estoril
Estoril is a seaside resort and civil parish of the Portuguese municipality of Cascais, Lisboa District. The Estoril coast is close to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It starts in Carcavelos, 15 kilometres from Lisbon, and stretches as far as Guincho, often known as Costa de Estoril-Sintra or...
, Portugal. There Carol died suddenly of a heart attack in 1953. He was interred in the royal pantheon of the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
The Church or Monastery of São Vicente de Fora; meaning "Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls" is a 17th century church and monastery in the city of Lisbon, in Portugal...
in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
. Elena survived him by 24 years, and was eventually buried next to him.
In 2003, the remains of King Carol II and Princess Elena of Romania were brought back to the country of their birth at the request and expense of the government of Romania. They were interred in the Curtea de Argeş
Curtea de Arges Cathedral
The Cathedral of Curtea de Argeș is a church in Curtea de Argeș, Romania, located in the grounds of a monastery. It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas....
Monastery complex, the traditional burial ground of Romanian royalty; but, not being of royal blood, Elena was buried in the monastery’s cemetery, rather than in the Royal Chapel.
External links
- Find A Grave: Magda Lupescu. Accessed 23 Jan 2006.
- GENEALOGIES » Dethroned Houses » Greece » Genealogy on royalsportal.de. Accessed 23 Jan 2006.
- Congregatio Jesu România Includes a short history of the Institute of Mary in Romania, in Romanian.
- Police Report Bucharest police report on Elena Lupescu and her political influence, dated 1935/06/29, published by the Bucharest newspaper “Ziua” on 2003/02/15, in Romanian. Of questionable authenticity.
- Institute of Mary The history of the Institute of Mary, from the Catholic Encyclopedia.
- Carol al II-lea nu mai încape Report on the arrangements to transfer the remains of Carol II and Elena Lupescu from Portugal to Romania, published by the newspaper “Adevarul” on 2003/01/22, in Romanian.
- Was Elena Lupescu a beautiful woman? More images for Elena Lupescu, in Romanian.