Catherine, Countess Grixoni

Catherine, Countess Grixoni (born 1936 in London), born Catherine Hale-Monro is a British fashion model and actress. She became a countess though her marriage to the Italian count Donald Grixoni.

Early and personal life

Catherine was the adopted daughter of Jessie Margaret Matthews and her second husband John Robert Hale-Monro.

The Italian Count Donald Grixoni became interested in Catherine after seeing her modeling works for Harrods. On 15 November 1958, the two married. Although they eventually divorced, she remained known as Catherine, Countess Grixoni. She preserved her husband's alimonies and lives at his family properties in West London. The Grixoni are part of the old Italian nobility of the Savoy-Sardegna Kingdom and related to the House of Candia, of opera superstar count Giovanni Mario de Candia-Grixoni with homes in Fulham and West Kensington.

A portrait of Catherine's mother, Jessie Matthews, was painted at the peak of her international screen fame by British artist Thomas Cantrell Dugdale. This artwork was given to Catherine by default. Due to an estranged relationship during the last years of Matthew's life, Catherine was left out of Matthews' 1981 will, which left the portrait to the Tate Gallery, who declined the bequest. Consequently, the portrait went to Catherine as next-of-kin. Catherine put up her mother's portrait at auction, by Woolley & Wallis.

Career

Mr. J, a London artistic photographer, and good friend of Catherine's mother, Jessie Matthews, arranged to have Catherine pose as a teenage "flower-girl" in a gardening catalog commercial. The success of her first work took Cath to more photo sessions taken by a variety of local photographers in search of fresh and young talent. A few months later, the publication featured an article and images, declaring her the Spring girl. Her greatest influencers were the London fashion designers inviting the young lady to participate in private fashion shows in the Belgravia borough. She was eventually hired as a female model for Harrods House of London, also worked with Italian photographer Enzo Sellerio.

Catherine followed her passion for the performing arts and complimented her modeling work with theatrical classes at various Drama Studios in London, and classes at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Catherine enjoyed a successful career as a model and actress and delved into a short-screen and television career. She was always measured under the shadow of her mother's superstar acting career.