As a Playboy Playmate, Paige Young experienced a minor type of celebrity status as opposed to what we think of as a Major Hollywood star. The Playmates special type of fame was at its’ highest when the issue was current. Within the same year I would say.
This type of fame Paige experienced lasted for a brief part of her short life.
She was, of course, an actual human being with a life and history besides her association with Playboy.
At times, Paigedid associate with people who were more famous than she. They were major celebrities known to the mass public.
This includes (that we know of) Hugh Hefner, John Huston, Andy Warhol,Bill Cosby; Jonathan Winters, men who lived for decades with massive fame that continues outlives them. They are still talked about in 2025.
Bill Cosby is still alive as of this writing.
Hugh Hefner’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Taken by me in 2019. It needs some maintenance on that crack.
Others were and are famous to a smaller audience.
On this website, I have written about all these men and Paige’s connection to them.
More characters can be found in the chapter: Names Found in Paige’s Phone Book.
The men famous to a more niche audience includes
Peter Gowland, who you see at left.
Peter is the son of English film actor Gibson Gowland. And an LA native like Paige. Peter and his wife Alice ran a successful pinup and commercial photography business from the late 1940s through the 1990s.
They published dozens of books for the amateur photographer. Alice Gowland was the writer of the books and the business manager.
Paige Young was the team’s last contribution to Playboy magazine in 1968. Alice said she did not care for the more explicit direction of the magazine photographs.
Paige had modeled for Gowland years before Playboy I have learned through Richard Sample.
The only photos one can normally find on the internet of Paige Young, were taken by Peter or Alice.
For a few years, Marvin M. Mitchelson represented Paige Young in her divorce against husband Mark F. Segal in 1964. Mitchelson, a Beverly Hills lawyer was a prominent media personality in the 1970s and 80s and 90s.
Mitchelson is credited for introducing the term “Palimony” into divorce court and to the general public. He represented Michelle Triola Marvin in a financial claim against actor Lee Marvin.
Lee Marvin dumped live-in lover Michelle without a penny, or tried to. Marvin Mitchelson became famous representing her. Michelle wanted compensation for the loss of her career as a singer.
M.M.M. is all but forgotten in 2022.
The Hon.Desmond Guinness, is frequently how his name is written, is from the famous Irish beer brand family but also a highly titled, wealthy, socially elite and sometimes controversial family. Legendary photographer Slim Aarons produced some iconic photos of Desmond Guinness, one in particular with his very young children. The photo has probably been seen by more people than know the identity of Desmond Guinness.
He died in August of 2020.
Artist DeWain Valentine
DeWain Valentine,Colorado born, Venice Beach based sculptor-artist, is one of the founding members of the “Light and Space movement” or “Finish Fetish” school which was born in Venice Beach, California in the 1960s. He dated Paige for a while according to his 1st wife Darlene Valentine, who also knew Paige.
Valentine died in February of 2022.
Michael Butler was listed in Paige’s phone book, of which I have seen a portion.
The names and numbers were written down by someone else. Butler was the producer of Hair the Broadway musical. He was also part of the Santa Barbara crowd that Desmond Guinness hung around when he was in town. (One time we know, Paige Young was along as his date.)
Michael Butler owned property above the Sunset Strip. He stayed there when he was in town for the LA performances of HAIR. He also was responsible for bringing the musical to Broadway due to his vast inherited wealth. Please see chapter on Names Found in Paige’s phone book.
Paige Young and her family’s journey encompass both the industry and town of Hollywood. Their experience includes WW2 and post-warLos Angeles. Their/Her journey includes places like Franklin Hills and Gardena, San Fernando Valley in the 1950s, representing the prototypical suburban middle class existence for the nation. Malibu and Topanga Canyon, Venice Beach and Westwood, in the 1960s and 70s, and the scope of the Entertainment industry throughout the 3 decades she lived.
It’s the old story of time and place and people.
Research Methods
My (ongoing) research consisted of obtaining various LA County public records like birth and death certificates, viewing City of LA building permit documents, (online), perusing telephone directories in the DTLA public library, voting records, marriage, divorce, and military records on ancestry.com.
I have spoken with a few firsthand sources. Several others refused to speak with me. I couldn’t locate some sources. At this point, many are dead. And the living people who know, aren’t talking, with the exception of the few I have written about on this blog.
This entry will make more sense if you have read at least the 2nd half of this website.
Iwas in Los Angeles in April of 2023. I visited with Melanie Myers from the 2014 Daily Mail story. She also appeared in the 2022 Secrets of Playboy documentary on the A&E channel.
During our interview, Melanie showed me an old piece of paper with phone numbers and names written on it. She had copied these from Paige’s personal phone directory after her suicide.
Melanie and B.J. Royale were preparing to share the task of calling Paige’s friends to tell them the news of her suicide.
And to tell them that Paige wanted them to have a certain of her paintings or other personal art objects.
Basically, a will.
B.J.Royale and Melanie lived in a duplex in front of Paige’s garage apartment in 1974.
The 3 shared a yard where Paige walked around nude or topless and Melanie “did not like it. ”
She added, “Paige and B.J. were pretty good friends,” but that she herself was not close with Paige.
Even so, Melanie said she ended up hearing an earful from Paige about a “sex tape” involving “Cici Huston‘s brother.” (David Shane)
B.J. Royale was a niece of actress Loretta Young, star of Hollywood films and TV in its’ Golden Age.
Royale, aka Betty J. Hermann, has a film credit for The Trouble with Angels, 1966. IMDB
This film was a box office hit. It stars Hayley Mills, a Disney actress. She was a bonafide box office star in the 1960s. I remember it shown on TV in the early 1970s.
Melanie made me a copy of her original notes and I took photos.
The names I saw on Paige’s phone list gave me clues and provide some insight into the last years of her life.
Upper right Paige’s only full sibling , Connie Smashey.Michael Butler, producer of Hair and new resident of Santa Barbara 1973.Bill Cosby’s name and Brentwood home address and Fran.Hugh OBrian, the actor, was a frequent guest at the Hefner mansion during the early years, when Paige was alive. She attended the mansion at least occasionally Per Melanie.Note where it says:Leixlip, as in Leixlip Castle, Desmond Guinness’ home in Ireland, County Kildare. Also as “Irish Consulate.” (I’m having no luck at all with the 4 lower names: Nancy Gouldsion?? Ann Katz, Donna Taurenson, Mariann Coleman?)Paige with Hon. Desmond Guinness1973 at Santa Barbara reception. Please see related chapter. Paige was with Desmond in Los Angeles within 2 weeks of her suicide. Both Desmond and his brother Jonathan were in Paige’s phone book upon her death. Jonathan is the older of the two and outlived his younger brother. Jonathan is a well-known author and alive as of November 2025. Top of list see Gretchen Foster. I learned that Foster is a niece of Loretta Young. Her mother was Loretta’s sister, actress Sally Blane.
Paige’s neighbor B.J. Royale, Hermann and Gretchen Foster were cousins.
B.J. or Betty Jane Hermann, was the daughter of Loretta’s sister Polly Ann Young.
Golden Age of Hollywood actress Loretta Young. She was signed with different studios. Aunt to Paige’s friend and neighbor Betty Jane or BJ Royale. Later Hermann.
Melanie told me she met and knew Gretchen Foster due to knowing B.J.
Melanie had no idea that Paige had also known Gretchen.
Paige and BJ were fairly good friends, according to Melanie, so this must be the connection.
BJ Royale died a few years ago. She did not speak with the directors of Secrets of Playboy. I know they reached out to her.
Melanie said she got the impression that B.J. had zero interest in talking about Paige, and one reason may be that she “married and moved to Bakersfield where she was in high society.”
According to Melanie, Paige “willed a beautiful large pastel-colored painting, of horses,” to B.J. . But that Mrs. Hermann never wanted to talk about Paige.
Betty June was contacted by Secrets ofPlayboy. B.J. told them “I wasn’t there the weekend of the suicide.” And begged out of speaking on camera.
(I was told this by a researcher on the series. Too bad, because there was so much to ask Betty June besides the suicide weekend.)
This lady took whatever she knew, or remembered to her grave. Melanie and B. J. and Paige attended were at a Playboy mansion party together where they although Paige went separately.
Betty Jane Royale doing the starlet routine, Van Nuys News March 7,1968
Her name was in a few gossip columns of the day, one of them as being a member of an exclusive club: TheDaisy
Joni-(Hefner)
4th name from bottom Joni (Hefner). This shows that Paige was in touch with the Playboy world. And that she had to go through Joni to contact Hef.
She is Hugh Hefner’s longtime assistant and personal secretary from the Chicago mansion days.
In my opinion, Joni Mattis took actions to “cover up” Paige’s suicide and scene and notes and letters left at her home, only a 10-minute car drive from the Playboy Mansion.
Perhaps Joni initiated the cover up by anticipating what Hef would want.
Another scenario is Joni contacted Hef and he told her what to do.
Joni and Hef at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. People magazine Dec. 1974. Remember this is early on in Hugh Hefner’s permanent residency in California. This move from Chicago was solidified the very next month after this publication date of Dec. 1974. Bobbie Arnstein committed suicide in Chicago, January of 1975. Joni Mattis was from Chicago and a Playmate in 1960 and Hef’s lover for a short while. I’m not sure of the relationship between Joni and Bobbie. Apparently Hef broke Joni’s heart. I will paraphrase an often quoted sentence of Hugh Hefner’s “I was involved I with 10 out of the 12 Playmates in the early days”. Joni worked for Hugh Hefner most of her life. I know he hired her when she was a struggling single young mother who left an abusive relationship. She passed away of cancer at the age of 60 in Los Angeles.
I can’t find out if Hefner was in the LA mansion on the dates of Paige’s suicide or in the Chicago mansion or somewhere else. Articles and Hollywood columns and Melanie’s story suggest he was present in the months leading up to Paige Young’s suicide and gave several parties. This was clear from items published in newspapers.
Joni and Hef/Playboy took actions. Their goal was to prevent the sensational news of Paige Young’s suicide from going anywhere near the press.
This action would have required cooperation from LAPD. Please see chapter of LAPD report and death certificate.
Melanie in Daily Mail-“police read some of the note to me… most vitriol for Hugh Hefner and John Huston.”
Paige’s painting given to Melanie, by Donna, Paige’s mother, and Connie, her sister. BJ Royale was gifted with a large painting of horses in pastel colors said Melanie. BJ’s married name was Betty Hermann. She died in 2023.
Melanie told me that that Paige’s mother (Donna) and sister (Constance) came the next day to pack up her belongings including paintings. “Connie” appears on Melanie’s list of phone numbers, identified as Paige’s sister. Melanie did not remember their names.
One year and one day after Paige Young’s suicide. The Chicago Playboy Mansion was sold or close to it, at this point. Bobbie Arnstein had died of suicide in January of 1975. From what I understand, this convinced Hugh Hefner to cut ties with his Chicago residency and move permanently to Los Angeles. The Playboy corporate headquarters remained in Chicago until 2012. Hefner’s ” constant companion” and mansion finder and partial decorator Barbi Benton, parted sometime in 1976. Hef then started a relationship in 1977 with his next #1 girlfriend:19-year-old Sondra Theodore from San Bernardino.
TheProximityFactor
Paige lived in Westwood, a 10 minute car drive to Holmby Hills. The local police had a friendly relationship with Hefner and the mansion employees.
Many former LAPD officers became Mansion security according to Secrets of Playboy. (PJ Masten) I believe Masten dated one of them at one time.
Hefner received reports on a regular basis from employees. They informed him about goings on at the mansion. This included employees and visitors, said PJ Masten.
The LAPD certainly knew who the hell Hugh Hefner was when they were greeted by Paige’s mural at her suicide scene 2 miles from the Playboy mansion.
As I continue to read about the history of the LAPD, I realize their Mythic status is based on historic facts. It has been a corrupt institution from the beginning. This fact is well expressed in the movie L.A. Confidential.
So really, it is not surprising that information unflattering to Hugh Hefner could be buried and made up to be like it just didn’t happen.
I am not in any way saying Hugh Hefner is directly responsible for Paige Young’s suicide.
But it is about the image.
Particularly at this date.
Bobbie Arnstein was arrested in Chicago, only 9 days before Paige’s suicide, on highly exaggerated cocaine charges.
Joni and Hef could have sincerely believed that by burying Paige’s story they were helping Bobbie and Hef from unjust prosecution. ( And persecution.)
There was more motivation than usual to justify hiding, burying and lying about Paige’s suicide (and everything she left behind incriminating Hugh Hefner, his friends and other men.)
PJ Masten in Secrets of Playboy talked about “an awareness that negative press was to be avoided.”
Jennifer Saginor,Secrets of Playboy and author of the book Playground said on a podcast Power,“Hef was always image conscious.” Hefner had the power to have Saginor’s book tour interviews suddenly canceled as she has recounted.
Jim Ellis, a former body guard for Hefner, early 1980s, said in Secrets of Playboy, his “job wasnot only protecting his clients physical being, but also their reputation.”
I believe that there was an opportunity for Playboy to shut this whole Paige Young thing down.
And the opportunity was quickly grabbed.
Hugh Hefner and Joni felt relieved I imagine.
Why does Paige Young’s entry in the Playmate Book, say “drug overdose” ?If they knowingly made that up, why that manner of death was chosen is beyond me.
END
Bill Cosby’s entry in Paige’s phone book. Included is his Brentwood home address and an assistant Fran. I understand that he owned and lived in a house in the PacificPalisades during this era. Cosby had purchased properties in Santa Monica through the years. He sold off many of them after the rape scandal ended his career. Michael Brandon, too many. Cindy Manay brings nothing.
Melanie’s original copy of her list from Paige’s phone book. The coroner allowed her to write down some names from the book. She then had to give it back to him. “I wouldn’t have done that now,” said Melanie. Looking at the list, so far have not found anything on Larry Fisher.
Steve Moress, listed below Joni-Hefner, opened a museum and shop of acrylic arts in 1974 at 2360 S. Robertson Blvd. It was open for several decades selling to interior decorators, but is now closed. I called several numbers for a “Stephen Moress” but none of them were working numbers. He’s about 80 years old now.
The following screenshots are from a real estate website. They show the interior of Paige’s carriage house/apartment over a garage in Westwood. It is located down the street from the Mormon Temple. The apartment was built over a garage in 1940. It is where Paige lived the last years of her life. She committed suicide there. Among her belongings was a suicide note mentioning names she said were complicit in her downfall. There was also a will. A mural proclaimed “Hugh Hefner is the devil.” Her belongings included many of her paintings. A few unfinished. All her personal belongings.
These real estate photos are all the world has left of this particular place of what is “old Los Angeles.”
In this case, a carriage house over a garage. It was built in 1940 by Kathryn Eddy, who appeared in walk-on parts in silent movies.
Front door open. Coat Closet. Original Hardwood floors.
Unless there are photographs lying in some attic or in a landfill placed decades ago?
Front door at top of stairs, looks to backyard and front duplex. The front duplex is pink and faces Eastborne Ave.Kitchen windows facing alley and buildings and wires.
All original built-ins, since gutted. Paige had a large black refrigerator a man bought for her and called it a “coffin,” said Melanie. This visit reminded me of another LA trip.
The place Paige was born as Diana Lee Cotterell is 1933 Griffith Park Blvd. It was originally a Christian Science Maternity center. The building was being torn down on the day I was visited. (See related chapter)
Front of house Living RoomPaige’s bedroom? facing the alley.
The builts-in of the 800 sq. foot apartment were being ripped out the day I visited; the place was being completely renovated.
Backyard facing Paige’s front door. If you were standing there, Melanie and BJ’s duplex would be on your right.Facing Paige’s house from the shared backyard. Front door faces the backyard and her back windows face an alley. This is where she hosted an “all-female tea party” with singer-actress Michelle Phillips and Hollywood social butterfly Samson DeBrier.
Notice Michael Butler at the top of the list here. I can’t find anything, so far on Larry Becker, Mandy, Jennifer Parkwater? Michael Brandon, too many. Cindy-Manay, nada, Samson?? Pat Cox, too many. Bill Cosby of course. UPDATE* I found Samson and it is the infamous LA character SAMSON DE BRIER.* PLEASE SEE RELATED CHAPTER
The next section provides information on the Michael Butler entry found in Paige’s phone book. . Top right below sister Connie Smashey’s contact information.
I am confident he is the same Michael Butler most famous as the millionaire producer of Hair: the famous “Tribal Love Rock” musical.
Butler brought Hair to Broadway where it was a smash hit.
Dubbed by the media as a “hippie-millionaire”
A detailed description of Michael Butler and his upper crust background in the article below by Eugenia Sheppard. It appeared in newspapers across the country in 1968, the year Hair opened.Also the year Paige Young was a Vietnam–eraPlayboy Playmate.
Butler was from Oak Brook, Ill. His family traveled and lived all over the world. (Hugh Hefner and Playboy were also born and based in the Chicago area.) Butler already owned a home above the Sunset Strip in LA. At some point he bought a lavish spread in Santa Barbara. Productions of Hair were opening all over the globe in 1968 and 69 and beyond.
Michael Butler in Look magazine article.
LOOK magazine 1969. Mentions his rented property behind the Sunset Strip.
Mary Blumewrote an eye-opening article about Butler in the LAT. Oct. 11, 1970.
Three marriages so far and a production company in LA “Natoma” And an avid polo player.
Page 1
Location of the Aquarius Theatre on the Sunset Strip. Hair played there for several years in the late 1960s. 6230 Sunset Blvd. It quickly became a landmark, and had already been a famous landmark, the Earl Carroll Theatre in the 1940s. It’s been several incarnations over the decades. The building was repainted this look for the filming of Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.
Page #3 of the LAT article. Butler was and avid polo player and played the sport with the wealthy elite around the world. Including Santa Barbara County as seen in the next articles.
Remember Suzy from the Desmond Guinness/Paige chapter?
Connection to Santa Barbara where Paige spent a weekend with Desmond Guinness in 1973. Suzy’s mention of Butler’s party in Santa Barbara. The guests included jet-setting IT couple Mick Jagger and his wife Bianca. This event took place on March 20, 1972. Paige was photographed with Desmond Guinness in Santa Barbara high society in September of 1973. (See corresponding chapters) Michael Butler hung out with these same crowds in these same places. Both men are listed in Paige’s phone book.
Suzy column: 6 year long divorce proceeding involving one child, Adam. Michael’s father Paul is teaching his grandson the sport of polo.
Michael Butler withnew girlfriend. San Fran Examiner June 25, 1971
Last I checked, this Butler website was being maintained well. You can see the entry about his good friend Celeste Huston.
Michael Butler counts Celeste Shane Huston as a great friend according to his website, link below. Like Paige Young and John Huston and Celeste, there was the “horse connection.” It appears Michael Butler lived a long and fulfilling life full of adventure and artistic creation. I’ve read that he was comfortable as an “out” bi-sexual for most of his life. What I found from this 1960s and 1970’s era, was that he was quite the “Ladies (only) Man.” This can be seen in the articles I’ve posted.
A Geo. Roberts upper left has 3 different phone numbers: London, “Club” and LA. Could this be a Playboy executive? It is a possibility. The Playboy Club moved from the classic 1960s Sunset Strip location and relocated to the new ABC Entertainment Center, set in new, modern, latest Century City. At some point in the 1970s, the Playboy Clubs were starting to seem passe. I’m not sure exactly when. By 1974, the “pubic wars” were played out by the media. Penthouse magazine won by outselling Playboy magazine. On the stand or subscription, I don’t know but Playboy’s profits started to slide probably around this time.
Celeste Shane Huston and Paige Young had 5 people in common: John Huston, Bill Gardner, Samson DeBrier, David Shane and Michael Butler.
Nothing comes up for Gus Prall at the top left.
Note below that David Shane is listed right below a Geo. Roberts on the left hand column, an X through it.
Shane is an important character from several other chapters. He was a man with a large 1970s mustache like Michael Butler, business owner set up by his successful Beverly Hills rental car owner father, and the brother of Cici Shane (Mrs.John) Huston.
Shane was a visitor to the LA Mansion and possible holder or keeper, and partner in Paige’s “sex tape.”
See chapters with Shane in the title, and Secrets of Playboy, episode 8.
LAT Nov. 1, 1973. I thinkthe CC Playboy Club opened earlier in the fall. Paigelived about a 3 minute drive from Century City. There is no record of Paige as a Bunny at either club in Los Angeles. Richard Sample says she did some kind work at the Playboy Club on the Sunset Strip in the mid-1960s. but he never saw her in the Bunny costume. Paige lived close to Century City and the Playboy mansion was close by as well.
LAT April 5, 1972. Paige had exactly 2 years and 2 days left in her life when this theater opened. It was a 3 minute car ride from her house in Westwood. Charity performance of Cabaret was performed at the opening. It has since been demolished. *Notice the advert below for the Classic Cat. They too, presentCabaret to an audience. (June 1973)
Van Nuys News June 15, 1973. This is a classic.
Playboy Club Move announcement, and for the Classic Cat Performance of Cabaret and A mexican restaurant actually named speedy Gonzales.
END
Marty Tregman is a long time realtor in Santa Monica, he doesn’t remember Paige. Jon VonNewman…. came up with nothing. BrianWilson is a common name so I can’t say this with the genius writer of the Beach Boys music group.
And right below Brian Wilson,
I was intrigued with the entry “Feminist Women’s Health Center 746 Crenshaw”
And I found many articles in the newspaper archives.
Turns out this Health care center played an important, but under recognized role in the 2nd Wave Feminist movement.
There were many services that Paige might have used at the “Feminist Women’s Health Center 746 Crenshaw”(FWHC)
You will see evidence of this through newspaper articles written at the time, both local and national.
This FWHC was one of, if not the first, women’s self-help health centers in the nation.
A brief context of the times is important and mostly forgotten.
“The Women’s Lib Movement” was in the mainstream news and discussions at home and parodied on TV shows.
I can remember this when I was in 6th grade.
South Gate Press Dec. 6, 1972
South Pasadena Journal Apr. 7, 1971
Feminism/ Women’s Liberation was more active in the early 1970s.
More so, than the 1960s.
I say this despite the publication of The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan in 1963. The movement flourished in a main-stream way in the early 1970s.
Cover of Life Magazine. August 1971
Let’s review some history to show you what I mean:
1972:The Equal Rights Amendment was reintroduced. 22 states, quickly ratified. This same year Title 9 was made a law.
Domestic violencesafe houses, rape crisiscenters, help lines and self-defense classes for women proliferated in the 1970s.
There were Media reports and editorials about equal pay for equal work and sexual harassment in the workplace.
There were reports about limited job opportunity and gender discrimination in housing and credit. Another topic was the implementation of subsidized childcare and wages for housework.
1973: The Roe V.Wade case. A woman’s right to an abortion become national law in January of 1973.
One exception was California:
Abortion was legalized in California in 1967 with the passage of the TherapeuticAbortion Act. This law allowed abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s physical or mental health was in danger. In 1969, the California Supreme Court further ruled that women had a constitutional right to privacy, which included the right to an abortion. This was before the nationwide legalization of abortion in 1973 with the Roe v. Wade decision. credit Google AI
<<<<<<<Article by Linda Zink in Long Beach, explains what the Feminist Women’s Health Care Center was about. Excerpts from this article are throughout this section.
1974 – Housing discrimination on the basis of sex and credit discrimination against women is outlawed by Congress.
1975: An influential book about sexual violence and rape, “Against Our Will” by Susan Brownmiller was published.
In this environment many women were exhausted yet fed up with their treatment by almost always male doctors.
OB/Gyns were considered the experts and authorities on female bodies. This caused anger and resentment by women of all ages.
They turned the anger into public activism.
The health and reproductive branch of “Women’s Liberation” is symbolized by the worldwide success of the book “Our Bodies, Ourselves.” The book’s influence is significant. The book was published in 1970 and is now on its’ 9th edition.
You or someone you know probably own a copy. Or seen it somewhere. It’s probably been banned somewhere.
Our Bodies, Ourselves originally sprang from feminist “consciousness-raising” courses held in Boston in the late 1960s. Group members gave presentations about topics considered taboo at the time, like masturbation, postpartum struggles, and birth control — which was then illegal for unmarried women in Massachusetts. NPR website 4-8-2018
2 women who became activists lived in Los Angeles and Orange County were mothers:
Oakland Tribune Fri. Oct. 27, 1972
Carol Downer and Lorraine Rothman. Together, they started the Los Angeles Feminist W0men’s Health Clinic. They taught classes to women on how to be the expert on their own reproductive health. This includes fertility control with the method called “menstrual extraction”
August 25th 1972 Long Beach Newspaper.
Quote below from Los Angeles Conservancy, an historic architecture preservation society.
It is from their website as part of their nomination for historic status of the FWHC building at 1027 Crenshaw.
“Women’s Self-Help One clinic was the first in the nation and consequently placed the Crenshaw Women’s Center at the genesis point of the women’s self-help movement. Founded by Carol Downer and Lorraine Rothman, the clinic became a model for the national movement. In 1972, the Center was raided by police. Ms. Downer had applied yogurt as a cure for a yeast infection and was arrested for practicing medicine without a license. She was acquitted and the platform and publicity of The Great Yogurt Conspiracy raised the consciousness of the nation and helped make woman’s clinics a national movement.”
Historic status was denied.
The raid happened at 1027 Crenshaw Now I am not so sure. Press articles give the address as 746 Crenshaw as seen below. I am now thinking both locations were raided.
LAT Oct. 3, 1972. Refers to a Sept. 20th raid. Colleen Wilson and Carol Downer arrested for a bogus charge.
Article about Feminist Women’s Healthcare Center By Linda Zink. Talks about move to 746 Crenshaw.
The Women’s Center opened at 1027S. Crenshaw. LAT Jan. 9, 1970
Many classes and lectures were taught at this location.
This location was nominated for historic status.
Screen shot from Summer of 2024 of 1026 Crenshaw.
The Great Yogurt Conspiracy received wide press coverage due to its’ humorous title and the absurdity of the charges. This article explains more what it is:
Colleen Wilson arrested the night of the raid and is quoted extensively in the Zink article. This article says both locations were raided, 4th paragraph. The 2 places had a different name.
“Carol Downer revolutionized the women’s health movement, learning how to perform abortions and vaginal self-examinations, and teaching other women how to, as well.From the website Feminist Current, an interview with Carol Downer conducted about 3 years ago.
Last column in Zink article. 5/13/73 Mentions support from Gloria Steinem and others for the Great Yogurt Conspiracy, and happiness after the acquittal:
The “yogurt conspiracy,” arrest and acquittal caught the attention of cultural icons like Gloria Steinem, Bella Abzug and Dr. Benjamin Spock, bringing national attention tothe LA activists.
Dec. 7th Palo Alto Peninsula Times Tribune. Undercover agents taking a FWHC class, were the ones who witnessed yogurt application on the “woman’s infection” by Carol Downer. This raid must have taken place at 746 Crenshaw where the how-to classes took place. This patient in question later became a well-known Pagan author and the founder of Dianic Wicca: Z. Budapest.
San Francisco Chronicle 1972
The Argus, Dec. 7, 1973(and above) Roe V. Wade had been legal for one year when this was written. The motivation for women to want menstrual extraction varies. California had already eased restrictions on abortion before R. V. W.
“Lorraine Rothman was a founding member of the feminist centered Self-Help Clinic movement and a major mover of many successful behind-the-scenes projects. With Carol Downer, she worked on the concept of menstrual extraction as a viable women’s home health care technique; and, in 1971, she invented the Del-Em menstrual extraction kit, which was patented n 1974……… Rothman’s collaborative relationship with Downer and the self-help clinic movement began when she attended an April 7, 1971 meeting organized by Downer to discuss women’s reproductive rights and abortion. At the second meeting, one week later, Rothman shared her idea of a safe home health care tool, demonstrating the prototype of the Del-Em menstrual extraction kit. Shortly afterwards, Downer and Rothman founded the Feminist Women’s Health Center (FWHC) in Los Angeles; Rothman went on to open a second FWHC in Orange County, closer to her home and family. Over the next two decades, Rothman traveled widely, taking the Self-Help Clinic concept to women’s groups both in and outside the US....”Archived interview subject description at CSU Long Beach.
LAT obituaryOct. 3, 2007 for Lorraine Rothman
746 Crenshaw, the address Paige had in her phone book, location was demolished in the 1980s and replaced with this monstrosity.
The location of the FWHC that remained,1027 Crenshaw and was nominated for historic status of the Women’s Movement in LA. This is a Google maps shot in 2024.
Carol Downer continues to lives in Eagle Rock and has been working in disability and immigration law for many years. She has lived a life of activism in women’s reproductive rights and the international peace movement.
She believes that women should not depend on the current legal status of a woman’s right to an abortion. .
Downer still advocates for women to learn the self-care or self-help method of abortion. She wrote a book on the topic in the 1990s.
For more details, see the Carol Downer entry in the Embryo ProjectEncyclopedia.
The Californian (Salinas) Dec. 14, 1992
END
I was able to contact one name on Paige’s phone list, who turned out to have been close with her for several years. She wishes to remain anonymous so I will refer to her as “Veronica.”
Veronica told me she heard Paige’s death announced on the car radio as she was driving. What she heard caused her to pull over, too shocked to continue driving. She tried later to call the radio station but couldn’t get through.
Veronica met Paige at the Malibu beach home she shared with husband Frank. Paige had been brought to the home by Joe Rank, an art lover collector, he worked in radio and lived nearby. Veronica never saw them together again. Paige and Joe remained friends. She thinks Joe possibly knew about Paige’s background and family. By the end of the 1970s Rank was the founder of a very successful clothing company. (More details at the end.) Veronica said that Joe Rank knew Paige quite well and I should contact him. I have tried, unfortunately, with no luck. He would be in his 80s or 90s now. The only place Joe or Joseph Rank turns up in newspaper archives is as a Spanish language radio station owner. And this is probably the same Joe Rank who knew Paige Young; Veronica said he was in radio at the time he brought Paige to the house. Veronica said it was during Paige’s “Playboy days,” The two women stayed in touch until the end of Paige’s life.
Veronica said Paige told her that Bill Cosby was an “art patron.” He was helping her to stay in her Topanga Canyon cabin home and art studio. Veronica thought it was “nice of Bill Cosby to help her out.” She thought nothing sinister about it. Paige did not say anything sinister about Bill or the arrangement.
Veronica concurred with others I have interviewed, that Paige often walked around topless or nude. She remembers Paige being naked or topless and playing in volleyball games. The “the beach boys” who hung around “were very pleased.” Veronica thought it might be explained by Paige’s personality which could be described as “high and low” or “hi-lo.” Veronica told me about an occasion that Paige used LSD and experienced a “bad trip.” Veronica stayed with Paige and helped her through the ordeal. Veronica was motherly to many of the young people who showed up at her home even though she was still young herself, in her 30s and had a husband and two young daughters. Her husband Frank enjoyed “collecting people,” wrote Veronica. And many young people would hang around their beach house socializing and playing games.
Paige’s painting of friend Veronica and her two young daughters. 1971. Paige gifted itto Veronica before she left Topanga Canyon and moved to Westwood due to a “rooster that woke her up at 5:am. She couldn’t take that anymore.” (Paige may have put in a 3 month stint in a room in a house Trancas Beach, across from Trancas Market.) I’m grateful to Veronica for her permission to use this image.
Veronica remembers buying groceries for Paige, at a store located at the bottom of “Fernwood & Topanga Canyon Dr.”
And the Safeway on Sunset & PCH, later Vons.
This happened about once a month for quite a while. The “2 friends would chit chat and catch up on news.” Paige never wanted more food than she could physically carry.
This was before her move to Westwood. After that Veronica didn’t see Paige as much but they talked often on the phone.
She remembers just vaguely that Paige mentioned her about her own art studio in Venice Beach, a block away from the beach. (See 2 chapters: Venice Beach, Richard Sample.)
(Dennis Hopper has a connection to Paige as he knew the artists that Paige knew, Larry Bell and in the same building: DeWain Valentine.Robert Irwin lived across the street at this time in Venice. Veronica remembers Hopper at events around town)
Paige sometimes expressed her suicide ideation in phone conversations with Veronica.
She did not discuss Hugh Hefner or John Huston, David Shane, Desmond Guinness or a”sex tape.”(See related chapters)
Several times Paige needed a ride to visit her sister, but Veronica never met the sister: Constance/Connie.
The last time the friends had a phone conversation, Veronica noted an “echoey sound in the background, sounded like Paige was in a bathroom.” Veronica tried to lighten the mood by asking her about the echoey sound and said,”Paige are you already in heaven?” Paige laughed and they hung up the phone with Veronica feeling Paige was in a better space.
Paige one time had checked herself into the UCLA Psych Center but was released in a just a few days.
Once Paige told Veronica “she said she had cured all the patients at the ward.”
Veronica said she never believed that Paige would actually go through with suicide.
Separately, Melanie told me about one time driving Paige to the UCLA Psych Ward. She remembers Paige “returning from the ward with a very strange man who worked at the hospital.”
He lunged at Melanie, Paige suddenly appeared with a gun and he bolted. Without pants on she said and added “it was the same gun she used on herself.”
Paige probably took advantage of the 51/50 law, which began in California in 1967.
“In California we have a law (5150) that the police (or yourself if you may harm yourself) can commit you for 3 days to a hospital for psych care. If you are pronounced no longer liable to harm yourself or others or decide you want to leave voluntarily you can after three days.”
Veronica does remember Paige’s expressing she did not have enough money for paint.
She told her to just wait a few days and would help her out with that.
Paige was dead before that happened.
Lack of money was a recurring problem for Paige.
She did not know Paige to own a car, says Veronica.
Paige did not talk of her past or any future plans. She seemed to always exist and speak in the present moment.
Melanie said does not remember Paige owning a car.
I personally think Paige sold her yellow Mustang seen by Sample in Malibu 64-67. Also seen by her cousin Christian/Chris in Sherman Oaks in 1964 as described to me. Paige made Chris a cup of coffee during his visit to her apartment. She told him about her divorce from Mark F. Segal.
Paige did not mention the violence and threats I viewed in her divorce papers. I told Chris about and he said “Oh, she would not have put up with that.”
No one I’ve communicated with who knew Paige say they can remember a time when she talked about her childhood. She never mentioned her family or her background. Veronica says Joe Rank may have known something of Paige’s family members.
Chris said he and his mother were contacted by Connie Smashey, Paige’s sister, to tell them the bad news of Paige’s suicide. Chris told me that Connie had a seemingly indifferent attitude about Paige’s death and he got the impression of “good riddance.” Chris said this made he and his mother sick to their stomach and angry and they did not stay in touch with Connie.
Aca Joe History
“Joe Rank, a Los Angeles broadcasting executive who had managed KMEX-TV, the Spanish language TV station in Los Angeles, moved to Mexico in 1973 to establish a printed tee shirt business on the beach resorts which were booming with international tourism. By 1978, Rank had shops in 75 stores in Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Mexico City, plus tee shirt shops in 15 of the popular Carlos n’ Charlie’s bars and restaurants throughout Mexico.
In 1983, the name was changed to Aca Joe and product distribution was limited only to Aca Joe owned or franchised stores. The line was expanded to include pants, jackets, sweaters, and more than just tee shirts. After changing to this more exclusive distribution of the product, the stores were swamped with customers. Lines were formed in front of the stores with people waiting to get in at all hours of the day.
The success of Aca Joe did not go without notice by international investors, and soon a deal was made with American partners for the expansion of Aca Joe outside of Mexico. William Meyer became Rank’s partner in Aca Joe International and the first stores in the U.S. were opened in the Bay Area of San Francisco, with shops in Union Square, Sausalito, and the Stanford Shopping Center.
The U.S. shops were very successful, and to provide financing for expansion, the new U.S. company filed for listing on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Prospects for the future of the stores were bright, and in 1985 Aca Joe International was the fastest rising stock on NASDAQ” From the ACA Joe website.
San Francisco Examiner Apr. 3, 1988 Joe Rank had some professional problems in the 1980s. He collaborated ACA Joe with William A. Meyer, a businessman who had a big success with Swensen’s ice cream in the 1970s . The two had a serious falling out and Joe Rank left his company. There is little or nothing about him after that in my newspaper archives.
Joe left LA and had moved to Mexico in 1973, before Paige killed herself.
Below are some photos of Paige’s over-a-garage apartment and where she stage her death.
Away from the backyard and duplex.
I’m looking up from the alley. This window faces the building next door. There is a bit of yard between trees house and fence, I did not see that part. It’s where Paige kept the Akitas she wanted to breed and Melanie complained about them barking. LAPD reports talks about a man named DeWitt to whom Paige wrote instructions to take her dogs. (See chapter on death certificate.) Veronica thinks Paige was going to try and make money from breeding the Akitas.
These windows face the alley. Garage had storage in it but no cars says Melanie. The window on far left is likely Paige’s bedroom.
Paige’s grandmother Virginia Young LaRocca died in August of 1976 in the Studio City Convalescent Hospital located at 11429Ventura Blvd. Location is close to the 1950s family home at 13055 Moorpark St.
Cause of Death: Stroke per a relative on a Mormon family website. A family audio recording to a relative on a Mormon MIssion somewhere in the world. Everyone said at least a few words into the tape recorder, except for Virginia, whom they referred to as “Doing really good Today.” Virginia may have had the debilitating stroke in the early 1970s and been unaware of of her GRANDDAUGHTER Paige’s suicide in 1974.
This address is the Chase Knolls Apts in Sherman Oaks. Ironically named Huston St., not a common name.
Virginia was cremated and her ashes scattered in the ocean near the Santa Monica shoreline, just like granddaughter Paige’s ashes two years previous.
Virginia died of a stroke after one year of onset, according to her death certificate. It may have been more than a year.
Josephine’s daughter, former Warner Brothers starlet Mary Jane Harker Lanier died in 1988 in Jacksonville, Florida. Her husband Samuel Lefkovitz Lanier remarried and lived with his second wife for over 10 years until his death in 2007 at age 88, also in Florida.
The oldest child of Jane and SamuelLanier,Samuel Harker Lanier, passed away in 2018; he was only in his 60s. A Florida lawyer, he had been disbarred due to a cocaine arrest only a few years previous.
Virginia’s sister and former Vaudeville performing and travelling partner, Josephine Young Harker, Paige Young’s great aunt, died in June of 1979 in the Jacksonville, Florida area. Public record.
.
Donna Virginia LaRocca Holroyd had moved sometime in the late 60s, with mother Virginia? (had she had her stroke?) and husband Jack, to Simi Valley. Were they divorced already? Possibly as it is looking like Jack Holroyd married and divorced twice after Donna. Still need to confirm.
By 1970, Donna was the head supervisor for the Ocean View Children’s Center(5201 Squires Dr.) in Port Hueneme “for low income and welfare families…. so that the mothers (of the Valley Village neighborhood) could work or go to school.” Oxford News 1970.
Article below mentions that Donna received a degree from UCLA in EarlyChildhood Education.
Oxford Press Courier March 21, 1971. Her daughter Paige was probably living in Westwood or Trancas Beach by this time.
More on Donna Holroyd.
By the time of her daughter Paige’s suicide in April of 1974, Donna and Jack Holroyd were divorced. Donna was living with her mother Virginia back in Sherman Oaks. They stayed at the lovely and historic Chase KnollsApartment Community on Huston St.
Donna’s Chase Knolls address is on Paige’s death certificate asher nextof kin.
This Huston address is also on Virginia LaRocca‘s death cert. in 1976. Donna is listed as her mother’s next of kin. (See Above)
In 1980 this address appears on Donna’s own death certificate.
Donna Holroyd is divorced and living at the Chase Knolls Apartment Community in Sherman Oaks according to her death cert.
Donna dies of a “hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” in her Chase Knolls apartment at age 59 years. Her and Jack’s son Wesley would have been about 20 years.
Donna outlives her mother by 4 years, and her daughter by 6.
Chase Knolls Apartments Sherman Oaks.Not Donna’s apartment which is located behind the locked gate.
Oldest daughter and Paige’s sister Constance Smashey is listed on Donna Holroyd’s death certificate as next of kin with a Simi Valley address.
Constance and Steve Smashey divorced and Connie would move to the PalmDesert area in the 1980s. She now lives in Banning, California.
She turned down my request to ask her a few questions about her sister Paige and their family.
Wesley Scott Holroyd died of alcoholism in 2014 at age 53. He was living in the San Fernando Valley where he spent most of his life.
Paige’s father Robert Morgan Cotterell and his wife Pat, moved to Oregon in the 1970s after he retired from Douglas Air. They lived there until their deaths around 2010.
Bob Cotterell’s obituary is no longer online. When it was, there was no mention of his daughters by Donna LaRocca: Diana/Paige and Constance.
It appears that Connie has reunited with her half siblings.
Richard Sample told me that Paige drove him to meet her sister one time only. He said he “didn’t get any impression” they were close.
Paige did not disclose her personal history or childhood, to anyone I’ve talked withwho knew her.
Paige’s ex-husband Mark Frederick Segal married a woman named Denise in 1974. A few years later they had a son: Ivan Mark Segal.
1985/86 Mark F. Segal stayed in the car business:
Segal sold his home on Crisp Canyon Ave. to Rex Ramsey and later bought it back from him. He sold it again and moved to Portland in the late 80s? He died there on October 16, 2012.
4133 Crisp Canyon Ave. was razed and replaced with a really horrible McMansion.
His son Ivan Segal lives in Portland and Scottsdale.
Desmond Guinness married Penelope Cuthbertson in 1984.
She is his cousin according to “International Set” gossip writer Suzy Knickerbockerback in 1973. They were not couple at that time.
View of Irish author and conservationist Desmond Guinness (1931 – 2020) as he sits in an armchair at his home, Leixlip Castle, Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland, 1968. (Photo by Susan Wood/Getty Images)
Desmond continued fundraising for his Irish Georgian Society well into old age. He died on August20, 2020. I have read Desmond had some degree of dementia.
Ex-wife Mariga and co-founder of the IGS died decades earlier.
There are numerous obituaries online for Hon. Desmond Guinness.
Desmond’s niece is fashion icon and socialite Daphne Guinness. His granddaughter is popular fashion model Jasmine Guinness.
How and where Desmond became acquainted with Paige Young is a mystery. Possibly was through John and CiCi Huston in Ireland.
Desmond on his own was well connected in Los Angeles and Southern California. He had a receptive audience in the area.
In the late 1970s……..
Paige’s divorce lawyer Marvin Mitchelson gained a reputation beyond Beverly Hills and LA. He became internationally famous when he represented Michelle Triola Marvin in her lawsuit against her live-in lover of 6 years, actor Lee Marvin.
Beverly Hills Lawyer Marvin M. Mitchelson
Mitchelson introduced the term and concept of “palimony” into the courts.
Commonly known as Marvin vs. Marvin, the case received major publicity in the mass-media of the time. It’s something I personally remember as a young teenager. I call it “People magazine” famous.
I didn’t learn the back story in detail until I researched this project. I am condensing the details for this website.
Michelle Triola Marvin was a singer in Hollywood. She felt she was owed part of Lee Marvin’s $3.2 million fortune, as she had given up her own career, per his demand, to become his live-in lover, helpmate, career advisor, and even helped to raise his 4 children from first wife Betty.
Triola said Lee Marvin had promised her life-long financial support. Triola-Marvin was abruptly dumped when Lee Marvin suddenly married his high school sweetheart Pamela Feeney in 1970. Marvin kicked Triola-Marvin out of their Malibu home and cut her off financially.
Because Michelle Triola Marvin was not legally married to Lee Marvin, she had no legal standing to demand any financial compensation.
Mitchelson saw an opportunity in California’s newly enacted “no-fault” divorce laws.
Mitchelson filed a breach-of-contract suit against Lee Marvin in February of 1972 asking for 50% of his estate.
After being rejected by two lower courts, Mitchelson pushed the case to the California Supreme Court, where he won.
The Marvin vs. Marvin case finally reached trial in January of 1979 and it quickly became a mass-media event.
The judge in the case, Judge Marshall, awarded about $100,000 to Triola-Marvin, for the salary she potentially lost giving up her career as a singer.
Lee Marvin’s attorneys appealed, and the decision was reversed, leaving Triola with nothing and Mitchelson with nothing.
Mitchelson didn’t care though, because the fame the case brought him was worth millions of dollars in representing “wronged spouses,” mainly women.
The fact that in the end, Triola got nothing was not well publicized in the many media reports. It happened after the initial hoopala had died down and was never emphasized in the reporting.
Over the years, some of the women Marvin represented were celebrities like Bianca Jagger, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Joan Collins ( a reverse of his norm as Collins was the one being sued by estranged husband Peter Holm.)
Mostly though, Mitchelson took cases of non-celebrity live-in girlfriends or mistresses of rich celebrities: Sara Dylan (Bob), Anna Kashfi (Marlon Brando) Nancy Lee Andrews (Ringo Starr), Veronica Buss and Puppi Buss (girlfriends of Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss) Soraya Khashoggi,Kayatana Harrison (Flip Wilson.)
Marvin represented a few men: Mark Christian, ex-lover of Rock Hudson, in his widely publicized case against Hudson’s estate for failing to disclose his AIDS status to Christian.
Mel Torme, Carl Sagan and Sonny Bono were other clients.
Mitchelson was disbarred in 1988 for grossly overcharging clients and went to prison in 1993 for tax evasion.
Marvin Mitchelson was released from prison in 1998 and died in 2004.
Lee Marvin died in 1987 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Michelle Triola went on to have a long live-in relationship with actor- comedian Dick Van Dyke. She died of lung cancer in 2009.
Information from: Ladies’ Man: The Life & Trials of Marvin Mitchelson, by John A. Jenkins. The only published biography of Marvin Mitchelson. It’ a fascinating look at an LA character of his time, nearly forgotten today.
Two years into my research I subscribed to newspapers.com and searched for Paige Young; instantly this article came up.
Paige Young is the date of Desmond Guinness with bespeckled host Guy Roop of Santa Barbara, seen on the right. Beverly Jackson in the middle of the trio on the left.
The article was written bysociety columnist Jody Jacobs and published in the Los Angeles Times, Oct. 10, 1973.
^^^^Jody Jacobs was the society editor for the LAT from 1971-1985.^^^^
I felt a chill when I realized that Paige Young had only 6 months left to live when this article was published.
What you see above, is Jody Jacobsonly mention of Paige Young in the article besides her photo by photographer Kathleen Ballard.
The rest of the article discusses the many Santa Barbara society VIPs who attended the party for Desmond Guinness.
This story involves another newspaper society columnist named Beverley Jackson of the Santa Barbara News-Press.
Beverley Jackson in the center of the trio, with Mrs. Louis-Dreyfus and Douglas Campbell. Campbell is hosting Desmond Guinness at his mansion in Beverly Hills. They were in Santa Barbara for the weekend. Douglas Campbell threw many parties in his mansion which was filled with an expensive Fine Art collection.
Jackson attended the party and then wrote about it for the Santa BarbaraNews-Press in her regular “society” column. (Included in update at the end of the chapter.)
Last page of Jacobs article. A cocktail party at the Alexanders pictured above, one event on Desmond’s busy itinerary in Montecito that weekend. Beverley Jackson mentioned in 2nd paragraph, enlarged below. Mrs.Louis-Dreyfus mentioned is probably the same family as actress Julia, who was born and lived in New York.
Beverley Jackson mention beginning lower left column.
I was fortunate to exchange a few emails with Beverley Jackson about 2 years before she died at age 91 in 2020.
She wrote to me that she remembered Desmond, but not Paige.
And without my prompting, “Desmond was always very discreet in these matters.”
But no memory of Paige.
It turns out Beverley did meet Paige in 1974, less than 2 weeks before Paige ended her life. Please see update at the end of this chapter.
Beverley Jackson lived a very full life from what I have read online.
She wrote a society column for the Santa Barbara News-Press from 1968-1992.
This job allowed her to travel and often stay with 100s of wealthy people from around the world.
This includes Leixlip Castle in Ireland visiting Desmond Guinness, at his home base. (Desmond is English.)
All the while having her home and work in beautiful Santa Barbara County.
Beverley traveled widely in China inspiring her to become a historian and author on Chinese culture, costume and fashion.
On top of that, Jackson had yet another career as a curator for the SantaBarbara Art Museum.
After reading the Jacobs (and later Jackson) article
I thought, who is this Desmond Guinness
attendingseveral events arranged in his honor by a Who’s Who of Santa Barbara society?
Famous in the Santa Barbara Art world, Guy Roop hosted Desmond in Santa Barbara and took him (and Paige? Probably) to tea at Wright Ludington’s home earlier in the afternoon. Ludington was a major Art patron and founding member of the SantaBarbara Art Museum. I guess Paige stayed the weekend in Santa Barbara. Where? It doesn’t say of course. This photo of the trio was at Desmond’s reception at the Biltmore Hotel Santa Barbara. She places her booted feet on a coffee table at the Birnam Wood Golf Club reception for Desmond.
“the Hon. Desmond Guinness.”
as it is often written.
Usually written with the Hon. before his well known last name, Desmond was born in 1931.
Let’s start with his family of origin.
Hon. Desmond Guinness, as his last name indicates, is an heir to the famous Guinness brewery, banking and finance family fortune.
*Please note: What I have written below is meant to serve only as a general overview.
The story of his mother and father’s lineage is written in history books.
Bryan Guinness, the 2nd Baron Moyne, father to Desmond, poet, playwright and author.
Desmond’s mother was a controversial woman named Diana Mitford.
She came from an equally controversial English society family of 6 eccentric, beautiful, headstrong, individualistic and scandal-prone sisters.
2 of whom, Diana and Unity, were followers of Adolph Hitler and adopted fascist philosophy.
Diana Mitford certainly lived by her own set of rules with disastrous results. The same can be said of Unity.
The major source for my information is the book Diana Mosley: Mitford Beauty, British Fascist, Hitler’s Angel by Anne De Courcy.
Desmond’s parents, Bryan Guinness2nd Baron Moyne, and Diana Mitford on their wedding day in 1929.>>>>
Diana was 18, Bryan, 24. Diana and Bryan were members of Bright YoungThings, a group of aristocratic, artistic bohemians in 1920sLondon. Diana’s writer sister Nancy Mitford, was a member too.
Other members were: writer Evelyn Waugh, his wife Evelyn Gardner, photographer, costume designer, set designer and Artist extraordinaire: Cecil Beaton.
The Mitford family was wealthy but they were kept on a “financial short leash,” according to Jessica Mitford.
There was one brother in the Mitford family of 6 sisters. Diana is seated next to Tom Mitford. She has what looks like a handbag on her lap, instead of a dog like her sisters. 1934. Her parents frame the group with Tom in the middle. Tom Mitford was a soldier in Burma and killed in battle in 1945 only weeks away from the war’s end. “It was a loss the family never recovered from,” wrote his sister Diana to a friend.
Diana with her first two sons, in the mid-1930s: Desmond and Jonathan Guinness. Desmond was the younger of the two boys.
National Gallery website.
Desmond and his brother didn’t grow up consistently with their mother.
She divorced their father when the boys were toddlers because she had fallen in love with Sir Oswald Mosley.
Mosley was an aristocrat and politician who served in the British House of Commons from 1918-1931. .
Sir OswaldMosley founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1932 after visiting with Mussolini. His followers adopted a black-shirt and pants uniform, inspired by what Mosely had observed in Italy.
The para-military wing of BUF became known as the “Blackshirts.”
FROM AI:
Conservative Party: Mosely was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Harrow under the Conservative Party in 1918.
Independent: He became disillusioned with the Conservatives, particularly their policy on Ireland, and crossed the floor to sit as an Independent MP in late 1920. He was re-elected as an Independent in the 1922 and 1923 general elections.END
South Wales Evening Post Nov. 29, 1933.
Daily Telegraph, Greater London. Nov. 9th 1934
Mosley ran and won with the Labour Party 1924-1931.
and was finally defeated when he ran with his “New Party.“
The BUF was banned by the British Government in 1940.
Diana Mitford Guinness and Oswald Mosley met through mutual social circles in 1932.
Known as “Cimmie, ” she came from a family of sisters, as did Diana Guinness. Cimmie herself ran and won a Labour Party post for 2 years. She was crushed when her husband was seen as a frequent companion to Diana Mitford Guinness.
Oswald was married in 1920 to a wealthy society woman: LadyCynthia Curzon known as “Cimmie.“
“Tom” Mosley and Cimmie had 3 children, the youngest born in 1932.
Mosley was a ambitious philanderer; he had affairs with both Cimmie’s sister and their stepmother.
The answer is yes according to historians.
Apparently he was irresistible to women?
from Anne de Courcy book Hitler’s Angel.
As a public speaker, Mosley was a powerhouse. The Blackshirt uniform was worn by of the Fascist Defense Force, paramilitary wing of BUF.
The BUF became more openly antisemitic in 1934.
Mosley told Diana that he would not divorcehis wife.
Diana went ahead and filed for divorce from her husband Bryan, Lord Moyne, who absolutely adored her.
And Cimmie adored her husband, Oswald, nicknamed “Tom.”
From Hitler’s Angel by Anne De Courcy. Diana was considered the great beauty of the Mitford Sisters.
Diana asked Bryan for only enough money to live on.
She returned the Guinness family jewels and kept only the jewels Bryan had gifted her during their marriage.
And just like that Diana became Mosley’s mistress.
Cimmie was increasingly stressed and threatened by Diana’s divorced, unattached status and by all the time Diana was spending with her husband.
Apparently Diana and Mosley were pretty brazen about appearing in public together.
“From Diana’s point of view, Mosley had been unfaithful from the start of his marriage and even if she gave him up would continue to have liaisons with other women. If Cimmie had come to terms with all the affairs, she reasoned, why should she not do so with Diana?
What Diana did not understand was that Cimmie had realized that her husband’s feelings for Diana were more profound than any other liaison…and that Cimmie would be sharing him on the deeper level which she had assured her was hers alone. ” FromHitler’s Angel, De Courcy
This affair was gossiped about amongst the Society circles. Diana’s parents were furious and banned her from visiting. For a while anyway.
lolanthe 7 Pinterest
Oswald Mosley and Diana Mitford in Venice. Not sure of the year or if they were married here.
Many of Diana’s old friends, family members, and acquaintances shunned her, yet she maintained a group of loyal supporters. This group included several male admirers like Brideshead Revisited author Evelyn Waugh, also a member of the Bright Young Things.
Conveniently for Diana and Oswald, Cimmie died in 1934 after a bout of peritonitis.
There was gossip that the stress Cimmie experienced over her husband’s affair with Diana, was responsible for her death.
Mosley decided to wait 2 years after his wife’s death before making it legal with Diana in 1936. He wanted to wait a “respectful” amount of time.
Diana had gone along willingly with the delay, if not happily.
Hitler attended the secret wedding of Mitford and Mosley and the reception took place at the home of Joseph Goebbels.
Diana became Lady Mosley.
Within the Hitler circle, Diana hit it off in particular with Magda Goebbels, wife ofJoseph.
Another of the Mitford Sisters was Unity.
From the book by Anne De Courcy. Unity Mitford (left) was one of Diana’s sisters and what we might call a “groupie,” of Adolph Hitler. Here we see them surrounded by Nazi soldiers at a rally in 1937. Unity moved to Munich in 1934, ostensibly to learn the German language. When Unity knew Hitler was in town, she would lunch every day at his favorite spot, the Osteria Bavaria, hoping he would stop in. A few weeks passed when he did, and the two finally met. Unity became part of Hitler’s entourage and Hitler’s specialcompanion.Unity introduced Hitler to her sister Diana in 1935 and then she became part of the entourage. Diana, in turn, introduced Hitler to Sir Oswald Mosley. This probably impressed Mosley and scored points for Diana. Eva Braun viewed Unity as a rival for Adolph’s affections; she was extremely jealous and resentful.
Unity Mitford
Sarah Walton-Lee Pinterest.
Unity shot herself in the head when Britain declared war on Germany. She was distraught over the conflict between her “two beloved countries.”
Unity survived but had limited mental capacity until meningitis killed her in 1948.
There is a recently published biography of Unity by Lauren Young: Hitler’s Girl: The British Aristocracy and the Third Reich on the Eve of WW2.
During WW 2
Mitford and Mosley were considered a threat and were placed under British house arrest. They spent 3 years in Holloway Prison, followed by house arrest until 1949.
Diana Mitford Guinness Mosley gave birth to 2 sons with Oswald, Max and Alexander.
Desmond and JonathanGuinness did visit their mother in prison, and apparently got along fine with their stepfather.
(This is a point I intend to do further research on)
Max and Alexander Mosley had financial struggles that the Guinness sons Jonathan and Desmond, simply did not.
Mosley was tight-fisted with money when it came to his sons with Diana.
Diana didn’t have much money independently of her husband. She did have some steady income from Guinness and shared it with her Mosely sons.
The couple lived out their years in France and Ireland after the war as they were highly disliked in England.
Diana and Oswald Mosley in old age. He died first in 1980. She continued to downplay her husband’s affiliation with Hitler and Mussolini and antisemitism and died in 2003. The couple remained married despite Mosley continuing to have affairs during their long marriage. Just as he did to his first wife Cimmie. Everyone knew Oswald as “Tom.” Diana called her husband “Kit.” Her beloved only brother was cut down in his youth by war was named Tom. Tom Mitford was a Nazi sympathizer as well.
I have no idea why a dramatic series or feature film about the Mitford family has not yet been produced.
Their story lines contain elements of high melodrama resembling a Greek tragedy: Birth, death, war, marriage, adultery, jealousy, divorce, family ties and feuds, innocent children, fascism, wealth, poverty, money, politics, titles, eccentric British personalities.
*UPDATE There is a new series, Outrageous, about the Mitford Girls to be shown on Britbox 2025.* The trailer includes Diana and Unity deciding to go to Germany to “learn German.”
The BBC series Peaky Blinders features Oswald Mosley and Diana Mitford in a storyline.
See interview with “Lady Mosley” on Thames TV youtube channel, recorded in the 1970s.
Diana Mitford Mosley is still outraged that the British Government imprisoned her and “Kit” during WW2. And is still defending Nazi ideology and white supremacy in her sophisticated and charming way.
Diana lived a long 93 years and died in 2003, in Paris.
END
1954: Desmond Guinness grows up and gets
educated at Eton, Gordonstoun in Scotland. And then studied French and Italian at Christ Church, Oxford.
In 1956 Guinness and beautiful Hermione Maria-Gabrielle Von Urach and Desmond marry.
The bride had German royalty and titles on her father’s side. Her English mother was institutionalized when “Gabrielle” was only 6 years old. Her father had to work away from his daughter as he had no money.
The little girl was brought up by her godmother Hermione Ramsden in Surrey and Norway with 17 different governesses.
At age 18, Gabrielle became known as “Mariga.“
1954wedding day of Desmond and Mariga Guinness.
This beautiful young couple shared a love of architecture, history and had no need to work for a living.
Married at Christ Church Cathedral Oxford England>>>>
Evening Standard, London, Nov. 25, 1957. They look like a young couple very much in love.
Article goes with photo.
Desmond and Mariga purchased the decaying Leixlip castle of Ireland, restored it and made it their primary residence.
Mariga and Desmond were known for giving fabulous high society parties in Leixlip Castle.
From DiscoverIreland:
Leixlip village was established by the Vikings and Adam de Hereford, a follower of Strongbow, built the castle. It is located in County Kildare and has an interesting history.
The plasterwork in the Library dates from the mid 18th Century. The carpet is French Savonnerie. A treat in the Drawing Room is the large 18th century Dolls House that originally came from Newbridge House and drawings of the six Mitford sisters by William Acton
Features of Leixlip Castle include, The Front Hall, which boasts a 17th century Brussels tapestry depicting Theodotus offering the head of Pompey to Caesar. The Dining Room is furnished with Chippendale Chairs and Bavarian tapestries.
Desmond Guinness at Leixlip Castle Ireland. Photo by Slim Aarons.
(Cropped)
Together the couple founded the Irish Georgian Society (IGS) in 1957/58. It was and is, dedicated to the preservation of Irish Georgian castles and Irish castles in general.
Probably more people have seen this portrait by Slim Aarons than know the identity of its’ subjects.
The couple produced two beautiful children named Marina and Patrick. They are shown in a famous photo taken by society photographer Slim Aarons.
Mariga and Desmond were able to restore several more historic castles and published books on the topic.
I found in my research that Desmond toured the US extensively to fundraise for the IGS from about the mid–1960s through the 1980s. I read dozens of articles about his visits in the newspaper archives. Mariga toured with Desmond in the US at least one time that I’ve seen.
Desmond was warmly welcomed at numerous US high society and historical society gatherings. He presented lectures and slideshows to promote Irish architecture, history, and design, fundraise for IGS and sell his books.
His visits were covered by local newspaper society columnists. They would write about the society folks’ attendance at either a lecture, party, luncheon, cocktail party, or dinner. Sometimes a combination of events; all in honor of the Hon. Desmond Guinness.
I’m including a only a few of many newspaper examples from 1969.
I picked 1969
out of the many years Desmond travelled the US because it’s the same year Paige Young was touring the US and Canada for Playboy promotion.
Miami Herald April 24, 1969
From the Palladium Item Richmond, Indiana March 16, 1969
March 25, 1969
Nov. 11, 1969 Philadelphia Inquirer
Ithaca, New York Feb. 21, 1969
Des Moines Register March 2.
Desmond visited towns one may not have expected him to: Des Moines,Shreveport, and the Corning Glass Center in Ithaca, New York.
Meet
“Suzy”
aka Suzy Knickerbocker, was a syndicated society columnist for over 50 years and worked for many different newspapers.
The following article from 1969 informs the reader about her interesting career climb.
Glen Falls Times NY. March 15, 1969
Daily News Nov. 19, 1969. A typical example of a Suzy column.Mentions the infamous Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Mrs. Claus Von Bulow and Barbara Hutton marries a Prince.
Suzy like to write about European society types, with or without titles. Royals and would-be Royals.
Suzy K. wrote adoringly about Desmond (mainly) and Mariga several times.
NY Daily News Nov. 1969.
Desmond Guinness had a busy schedule of travel for IGS educating and fundraising, for decades.
Return to 1973 Santa Barbara
Desmond had already been the house guest of Douglas A. Campbell in LosAngeles for 2 weeks when:
Paige appeared as the date of Desmond Guinness at a series of high society parties over a weekend in Santa Barbara.
It was described by LAT society writer Jody Jacobs as a season of grey skies and rainy weather.
LAT Oct. 10, 1973
This Suzy syndicated column below, appeared just 2 days later on October 12.
The timing is intriguing to say the least. Desmond is seen out with a date, Paige Young. His divorce is announced in these Suzy articles only two days later.
.
October 12, 1973
Philadelphia Inquirer Oct 12. 1973.
From Suzy 3 years ago in 1970. Divorce rumors too! Even the same photo was used. As I learned Desmond and Mariga would not divorce until the 1980s.
1973 before the separation:
March 21, 1973. Desmond’s mentions in bold. Suzy in NY Daily News. Mariga is mentioned.This is before the separation announcement later in the year.Desmond back in Suzy’s NY Daily News column only weeks later. April 13, 1973. Desmond’s datewith Paige in California was just 5 months in the future. So is the announcement of his and Mariga’s divorce. Desmond would marry this “pretty English cousin Penny”mentioned in the last few sentences, in the 1980s.
Lexington, KY. Herald-Leader Mar, 2 1972Mariga with Desmond during the 1972 tour. That was not common.
Indianapolis Star April 21, 1973. Desmond still making appearances at niche societies all over the USA. Desmond was only a few months away from his stay with Douglas Campbell in Los Angeles and date with Paige Young in Santa Barbara.
Sept. 1973
Jody Jacobs, society writer for the LAT. LAT Sept. 23, 1973, shows us thatDesmond is a guest in the LA home of Douglas Campbell beginning on Saturday, which would be the 29th. The Santa Barbara soiree was on approx Oct. 9 Did Desmond and Paige spend time in Los Angeles together?? Or Ireland?
Desmond’s blue eye always got a lot of attention.
LAT Oct. 8, 1973. Joyce Haber column Parties thrown for Desmond Guinness in LA. His host was Douglas Campbell. Desmond meets and appears with Luciana Avedon on the Merv Griffin show and brings her later to Douglas A Campbells party for him. r.
This ad appeared in theMiami Herald March 19, 1974. Desmond would be going back to LA soon. Paige Young would be dead in 3 weeks.
In the lower 2nd column, writer describes Marina’s lovely velvet and brocade dress.
( This is the dress she is wearing in the LAT photos with Beverly Hills designers and art patrons Beegle and Tony Duquette.)
Raleigh News and Observer March 29, 1974.
This article is unusual because it brings up the uncomfortable subject of Desmond’s mother Diana Mitford and step-father Oswald Mosley.
Notice the comment and story about Stanley Kubrick!
Was Desmond feeling unencumbered that evening in Santa Barbara, knowing his pending divorce would soon be publicly outed?
Desmond was in LA at this time too so he would have been cross country traveling often.
Desmond is back in Los Angeles, this time with his daughter Marina. This visit coincides with the time Paige Young was contemplating suicide.
It is interesting that Desmond visited Los Angeles twice, 6 months apart.
Jody Jacobs column LAT March 31st 1974. Marina wearing the brocade outfit mentioned in the article from North Carolina. This is a week away from Paige’s suicide. Beegle and Tony Duquette were Hollywood set designers and patrons of the arts. They lived in a giant Maximalist art work of a house in Beverly Hills: Dawnridge. (Which is now being preserved by some dedicated preservationists )The velvet and brocade dress Marina is wearing is described by the North Carolina writer, she must have worn it there too!
The following article by Suzy, was published 10 days before Paige’s suicide. Desmond in bold. He was back in Los Angeles.
Suzy column Daily News March 28, 1974.Again Desmond is the houseguest of Douglas Campbell and parties are given in his honor. Tons of parties with big names in the Art and Hollywood worlds. On this visit Desmond’s daughter Marina accompanied hm to Southern California.
According to Paige’s neighbor Melanie, Paige was afraid of a sex tape/film being seen by certain people or a certain person, and that “Cici Huston’s brother,” was a phrase Paige threw around a lot in connection to the tape. (David Shane?) He had possession of the tape and would not hand it over to her.
I have to wonder if at least one person in Paige’s mind was Desmond Guinness (and his crowd?)
Desmond and his phone number to Leixlip Castle and his brother Jonathan Guinness, were listed in Paige’s phonebook found at the time of her suicide.
Written down by Melanie from Paige’s phone book. Both Desmond and his older brother Jonathan Guinness. were acquainted with Paige. Apparently.
This indicates she saw Desmond outside of the their dates in Santa Barbara. Now I know she did. Paige was present at another party for Desmond in late March of 1974. Literally less than two weeks away from her suicide.
Contact information for Desmond Guinness at Leixlip.
The Santa Barbara News-Press recently became available on newspapers.com.
Beverly Jackson was a society columnist for the New-Press at this time. Here is her article about the party at the Santa Barbara Biltmore for Desmond and Paige was his date.
Santa Barbara News-Press Oct. 14, 1973.
Paige Young is not mentioned as she was in the LAT Jody Jacobs article.
Part 2 of Article.
…..Reynolds who has just completed a fine portrait of..>>>>>>>
Paige Young with Desmond Guinness and Santa Barbara Host Guy Roop Oct. 10, 1973 Los Angeles Times article by Jody Jacobs who wrote about Paige:
As we have already seen through Suzy and Jody Jacobs articles, Desmond was back in Los Angeles in late March of 1974. He was again was making social rounds to promote the the IGS.
This time giving a lecture on the topic at the Leo S. Bing Theater located on the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Campus. (The Bing Theater was recently demolished.)
And again he stayed with Douglas A. Campbell, who again hosted at least one party for Desmond at his beautiful mansion in Holmby Hills.
Two weeks before Paige’s suicide.
The Hon. Desmond Guinness,
PART #1 of Beverley Jackson article in SB News-Press
Part #2 of B. Jackson article.
The most important part of the article is at the tail end.
We see that Paige was at the dinner party for Desmond held at Douglas A. Campbell’s home. And not just any table either. Paige was sitting with Jackson and Marina Guinness, daughter of Desmond.
So they met. As Dad’s new friend in LA?
South Gate Press Saturday March 23rd 1974.
The date of the party is not given, but if this was published on Thurs. March 28, 1974 and the Bing Theater lecture was Monday March 25.
This dinner would have been within 2 weeks of Paige’s suicide.
Was Paige afraid that any of the people at this gathering, would learn about the sex tape in which she appeared??
Paige Young in Los Angeles
Paige Young in Los Angeles 