Wallis Simpson

Date of Birth: June 19, 1896

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: April 24, 1986

Biography

Wallis Simpson, born Bessie Wallis Warfield on June 19, 1896, in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, was an American socialite whose relationship with King Edward VIII led to a constitutional crisis in the United Kingdom. Wallis was the daughter of Teackle Wallis Warfield and Alice Montague. She was educated at the Oldfields School in Maryland and later traveled extensively in Europe, where she honed her social skills and developed a keen sense of fashion. Wallis was married twice before meeting Edward. Her first marriage was to Earl Winfield Spencer Jr., a U.S. Navy pilot, in 1916, which ended in divorce in 1927. Her second marriage was to Ernest Aldrich Simpson, a shipping executive, in 1928. It was during this marriage that she met Edward, then the Prince of Wales, in 1931. The couple’s romance became public and controversial, especially after Edward ascended to the throne in January 1936. Due to the Church of England’s opposition to remarriage after divorce if a former spouse was still alive, Edward faced strong resistance to his desire to marry Wallis. In December 1936, Edward chose to abdicate the throne to marry Wallis, becoming the Duke of Windsor. They married on June 3, 1937, in a private ceremony in France. The couple spent most of their lives in France, though they traveled extensively and were involved in various social and charitable activities. Wallis was known for her impeccable style and was a fashion icon of her time. She passed away on April 24, 1986, in Paris, France, and was buried alongside her husband in the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, near Windsor Castle.

5 Interesting Facts about Wallis Simpson

1. Wallis Simpson was named Time Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in 1936.

2. She was fluent in French and had a keen interest in European culture and fashion.

3. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor had a pug named Disraeli, among other pets.

4. Wallis was an accomplished hostess and known for throwing lavish parties.

5. Despite their controversial start, Wallis and Edward remained devoted to each other throughout their lives.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wallis Simpson

1. “You have no idea how hard it is to live out a great romance.”

2. “Never explain, never complain.”

3. “For a gallant spirit, there can never be defeat.”

4. “I am not a beautiful woman. I’m nothing to look at, so the only thing I can do is dress better than anyone else.”

5. “The press made me out to be something between a whore and a witch.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor had a combined net worth estimated to be around $2 million at the time of their deaths, which is roughly equivalent to $4.6 million today when adjusted for inflation.