Australian socialite Primrose Dunlop, whose "prince" husband famously left her at the altar for his best man before their lavish wedding, has died at age 70. Dunlop, daughter of Australian society icon Lady Potter, was heir to a massive $60 million fortune. She entered full-time care due to frontotemporal dementia in 2022 and passed away on February 5, 2023.
Her mother, Lady Potter AC, expressed her sorrow publicly, stating, "My daughter, Primrose, has lost her battle with frontotemporal dementia — a heart-wrenching disease." Her family plans to hold a private memorial this week.
The saga began over three decades ago when Primrose, affectionately nicknamed "Pitty Pat" by friends, was set to tie the knot with the diminutive Qantas flight attendant Lorenzo Montesini at Venice's Basilica di San Pietro. The wedding was scheduled for April 1990, promising three days of festivities culminating with the ceremony. But just before the nuptials, Montesini fled with his best man Robert Straub, shattering Primrose's dreams and grabbing headlines globally.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford remarked on the scandal's magnitude, narratively painting it as "an extraordinary story" complete with many "twists and turns." Ford continued, recounting how the wedding was extravagant and poised to welcome guests from around the world, only to collapse before it began. Primrose, once on the verge of becoming Montesini’s princess, found herself at the center of what became one of Australia’s most notorious social scandals.
Primrose and Montesini's relationship had the air of glamor: he professed to hold noble titles and claimed connections to the European aristocracy. Yet, it was revealed before the wedding plans went through, Montesini and Straub had been lovers since their secret encounters during the Vietnam War. The tension cascaded as mounting gossip and speculation arose about Montesini's claims and his real intentions.
After the shocking departure of her fiancé, Primrose was not left broken. Colleagues and friends, like journalist Andrew Hornery, remarked on her resilience, stating, "Vale Primrose 'Pitty Pat' Dunlop. Star of one of Australia's great society scandals... She not only survived but thrived for many years, exemplifying getting on with it." Despite the scrutiny, her story took on legendary status within Australian pop culture.
Despite the media frenzy, Primrose was undeterred and continued to establish her own identity. After relocating to Melbourne, her life took another unexpected turn when she met George Kirk, who was actually Polish Count Jerzy Krasicki v Siecin. They married in 1993, and Primrose thereafter became Countess Krasicki v Siecin, having their daughter Zofia shortly thereafter.
Her prosperous life had not been without its struggles. Montesini eventually faced personal hardship as he lost his partner Straub to HIV/AIDS after years of companionship. Between the turmoil of the early 1990s and the quiet yet significant life thereafter, Primrose managed to gather respect across both personal and societal arena.
On the social front, Lady Potter made headlines herself by donating $1 million, stating the donation was made "in my daughter's name" to The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, solidifying Primrose’s legacy in dementia research. "With the generous donation ... we hope this research will pave the way to improved diagnosis and treatments," remarked Peter van Wijngaarden from The Florey Institute.
Friends who admired Dunlop described her as vibrant, witty, and as someone who lived life boldly. Publicist turned celebrant Glen-Marie Frost and author Janise Beaumont spoke fondly of her unpretentious nature and great sense of humor, saying, "It's horrible for such a lovely girl... a dreadful disease."
Also noted was the unyielding spirit with which she navigated societal landscapes and personal battles, weaving through tales of glitz and glamour, underscored by the tragedy of her medical condition.
Primrose Dunlop's life story is not merely defined by one incident but rather encapsulates the essence of resilience, facing public scrutiny, and personal trials. Her legacy persists beyond popular scandal, echoing her mother's philanthropy and the echoes of laughter from her lavish celebrations with those who admired her tenacity. The family’s request is for mourners to support dementia research rather than sending flowers, highlighting the importance of advancing studies on frontotemporal dementia.