EFTA01164602.pdf

that can be made without first examining Ghislaine's relationship Ghislaine, Robert Maxwell's favourite child, adored and feared her with her father. father. 'Riding crop or shoehorn?' he would ask when a spanking Robert Maxwell was a one-oft A good thing too. many might say. loomed. Philip. Kevin and Ian were all very bright and secured places at His daughter-in-law Pandora called him 'the fat crook'. Born into Oxford. The pressure on Ghislaine to do the same was enormous. A a poor Jewish family in prc-war Czechoslovakia as plain Jan Hoch. contemporary at Marlborough recalled that she crammed ferociously he joined the British Army during the Second World War, won to meet her father's expectations. 'She struck me as being rather needy: the Military Cross and was commissioned as a captain. After the he said. Ghislaine read French and history at Balliol and, tearing war, he settled in Britain, started a publishing company and became between parties in Oxford and London in her VW Golf convertible, Labour MP for Buckingham North. He prospered in business. had a lot of fun. Her friends included Robert Hanson. Jamie Sainsbury. rook over Mirror Group Newspapers and founded The European. David Faber and Rupert Fairfax. He settled his family at Headingron Hall, a grand house in Oxford. 'She was naughty and funny at the same time: Fairfax. a successful and, as his fortune and influence grew, so too did his capacity businessman, told Taller. 'You couldn't help but like her. Shc was one of for being unbearable. Maxwell could be brilliant and charming life's givers: if someone needed a hand, or if there was something to but many, especially those who worked for him. celebrate, she'd be the first one to get stuck in.' He found him an overbearing bully. So, on occasion, recalled a visit to Hcadington Hall, where he met did his children. She impressed the rather frightening figure of Robert Maxwell. Ghislaine's mother Elizabeth (always known as Betty) once said: 'Bob has only to look at me and many hard-bitten 'He boomed at me, -So which college are you at?" I said I wasn't at Oxford. He turned around and get pregnant!' She had nine children: two died tragically. Michael, the eldest was seriously injured hacks with her walked off without another word.' Another contemporary remembered Ghislaine's in a car accident ar the age of 15 and died, still in .1 enthusiasm and 21st birthday at Headington: 'There were about coma, six years later. A daughter. Karin. died of leukaemia at the age of three. Philip, the eldest chutzpah. One 300 people and her father gave a speech after dinner which was rather embarrassingly fulsome surviving child, is an academic who won a recalled that he about how wonderful Ghislaine was. Then he said scholarship to Oxford at the age of 16. He was he was tired, would join us for one dance and go never interested in his father's business and now, was never allowed to bed, but hoped we would have a good time. He aged 63. lives in London and is said to be writing a book. Anne, 62, became a teacher and, according to to forget she was went to bed but — about 10 minutes later — the music began to annoy him. Five minutes after a recent report. now works as a hypnotist. Twins the boss's daughter that. he had the electrical supply to the sound Isabel and Christine, 60, once featured in The system turned oft And that was that. Ghislaine Sunday Timer Rich List, with a fortune oft 100 was in tears. It was 11.30.' million gained from their Internet business. They lost heavily when the liallietonicsses to finding himself baffled by the allegations dotcom bubble burst, though Isabel still runs her business from New swirling around his friend of 30 years. 'I just don't recognise the person York. Christine is married to a scientist and lives in France. Kevin and I know in the context of these accusations: he said. 'Ghislaine is not a Ian. in their early 50s, were the Maxwell children most involved in bad person. She is warm and funny and naughty. In all the time we their father's business. They stood trial on charges ofdefrauding Mirror have been friends I have never seen a trace of malice in her.' This view Group pensioners but were acquitted. Kevin was declared bankrupt is echoed by her friend Swho told us: 'I'm really with debts of £400 million and the two brothers still work together surprised tout her involved in allegations like these. Shc just isn't a bad from an office in Mayfair. They are believed to have invested in person. The only thing wicked about Ghislaine is her sense of humour.' property and a recent report said that Kevin was working on power- Ghislaine was working for her father when he died, moving between station deals in the Middle Fast. Betty Maxwell, who celebrated her jobs in his newspaper empire. Shc tried her hand at running a diary 90th birthday in March, lives quietly in London. After her husband's and later worked as a fashion director. She impressed many hard-bitten death she took up academic studies. Born in France. she nosy uses her hacks with her enthusiasm and chutzpah, although one recalled that he maiden name and is known as Dr Elizabeth Meynanl. was never allowed to forget that she was the boss's daughter. John Below from left. Ghislaine with Isabella Blow: Tamara Mellon: Count Gianfranco Cicogna. and Rupert Fairfax EFTA01164602