Jemima’s mother, Lady Annabel Goldsmith, dies at 91

LONDON: Lady Annabel Goldsmith, prominent British socialite, philanthropist, and matriarch of a high-profile political and media family, has passed away at the age of 91. She was the ex-mother in law of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan. She was also a close friend of Lady Diana.

Born Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart in London on June 11, 1934, she was the daughter of the 8th Marquess of Londonderry and became known as Lady Annabel in 1949 when her father inherited the title, said an article by BBC.

She rose to prominence in London’s elite social circles during the 1960s and became the namesake of the exclusive Mayfair nightclub Annabel’s, opened by her first husband, entrepreneur Mark Birley, in 1963. The venue became a hotspot for celebrities, royals, and aristocrats.

Lady Annabel had six children from two marriages. With Birley, she had three children: Rupert, Robin, and India Jane. After their 21-year marriage ended, she wed billionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith in 1978. Together, they had three children: Jemima, Zac, and Ben Goldsmith.

Her daughter Jemima was married to Imran Khan, former Pakistani prime minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), from 1995 to 2004. Her son Zac Goldsmith served as Conservative MP for Richmond Park and ran for London Mayor in 2016, while Ben Goldsmith is a financier and environmental campaigner.

Known for her activism, Lady Annabel supported various charitable causes throughout her life, including environmental issues, animal welfare, and children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. In 2004, she published her memoir Annabel: An Unconventional Life, chronicling her aristocratic upbringing and dynamic personal journey through decades of British high society.

BBC shared a tribute by her youngest son, Ben Goldsmith, saying, “We are bereft, not for her,because her life was extraordinary and complete, but for us, because of the immense hole in our lives she leaves behind.”

LADY ANNABEL’S NET WORTH

Although Lady Annabel Goldsmith’s personal net worth was never publicly confirmed, her late husband, Sir James Goldsmith, was estimated to be worth £1.5 billion. In 2008, The Times reported that her wealth largely stemmed from inheritance, estimated at £500 million, though no official will was made public.