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Martha Bibescu | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Martha Lucia Lahovary 28 January 1886 |
| Died | 28 November 1973 (aged 87) Paris, France |
| Nationality | Romanian, French |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Ioan Lahovary Emma Mavrocordato |
Princess Martha Bibescu (Martha Lucia; née Lahovary; 28 January 1886 – 28 November 1973) also known outside of Romania as Marthe Bibesco, was a celebrated Romanian-French writer, socialite, style icon and political hostess. She spent her childhood at the noble Lahovary's estates in Balotești and Biarritz, where she had an education in literature. During her life, she travelled to and moved around many European countries and met many contemporary influential political figures. During the post-World War 1 period she rebuilt her family estates. She lived in exile after the Second World War when communist rule in Romania started.
She started writing in 1908 when she published her travel memoir Les Huit Paradis ("The Eight Paradises") which was met with critical acclaim by French critics. Her most acclaimed work is the novel Isvor, pays des saules ("Isvor, Land of Willows"). She wrote popular romances under the pseudonym Lucile Décaux, and for several magazines under her own name.