a personal hist or y of ingela keiller roy wa tts
Transcription
a personal hist or y of ingela keiller roy wa tts
The Butcher’s Daughter Preface by the author Ingela didn’t want to write this book, feeling that she hadn’t done anything to justify recording her history. Kenneth, who had written his own memoirs, felt that she had lived an interesting life, and that she should regard the exercise as being a photograph album with text – a storehouse of images and memories. The process involves a tape recorded interview each day, and that in turn is converted into script. This is not unlike a session with a psychoanalyst, except that the objective is an accurate record rather than healing of the psyche. Strangely enough reflecting about all the major events that go into a lifetime has a cathartic effect, and after initial reluctance, she responded with characteristic enthusiasm. En route I also gained insight into the many facets that encompass her being, none of which would surprise her close friends, but may come as a revelation to others. Chief of these was the fact that her very strong personality masks a vulnerability that Roy Watts. few would suspect. Early on in the exercise she became very emotional on recalling a difficult and fairly loveless childhood when she received little or no affirmation. If our formative years are the crucible from which our dispositions are formed, then Ingela’s youth explains much about her attitudes and beliefs. It was also a time during which she developed great strength of character in coping with and ultimately confronting an abusive and alcoholic father. Having watched her mother put up with constant ill treatment and neglect, she vowed that she would never tolerate any serious shortcomings in her relationships. She also ponders over the fact that all of her husbands were men who grew up without paternal influence, and she wonders if her strong character was part of the attraction. Regrets, she’s had a few, foremost being the fact that she never got to flex her entrepreneurial muscles. That she had unerring business instincts is borne out by the tremendous success she has enjoyed in her many property transactions, culminating in the magnificent home the Keillers share in Indian Wells. Offset against this is the immense pride she has in her children which she regards as her greatest achievement. When asked who her favorite is, she replies that they have all occupied the number one spot at different stages of her life, and for differing reasons. The twins because they were so unique, Alana for her sweet temperament, and Ryan who marched so fiercely to the beat of his own drum. It was he, who most closely resembled her in temperament, determination and intellect. As the book progressed, it was intriguing to learn how she grew apart from Sweden, and wholeheartedly embraced her life in California becoming a dedicated American patriot in the process. She has no doubt that her life would have been vastly different if she hadn’t moved to Palm Springs when she did. Ingela was eventually brought back to an appreciation of her roots when Kenneth introduced her to a different Sweden to the one she had left as a young woman. Now she looks forward to their annual migration to Särö, believing that they enjoy the very best of both worlds. As an interesting sidebar, her great aunt with whom she boarded on her arrival in Palm Springs, spent 45 years in America, and never enjoyed the assimilation that Ingela achieved in her first month there. Finally, for me there was much fascination in learning how interwoven the celebrity world was 45 years ago, and how different things are today for the rich and famous. Ways back then you were just as likely to run into Frank Sinatra at the supermarket as at the Racquet club - whereas today you would have to get past a phalanx of bodyguards publicists and all the usual hangers on. It would now be impossible for a young, beautiful and charismatic immigrant to tap into the world that Ingela strolled into in 1960. Her list of friends, contacts and even casual acquaintances might seem to some like a marathon name dropping exercise. To those who know her well, and I include myself amongst them, it is just Ingela telling it like it was in her inimitable fashion………………….. Foreword Frankly, I was dead against writing a book as I didn’t believe that I had accomplished anything important enough to justify a biography. After relentless encouragement from Kenneth, I decided to go ahead, realising that my own family knew very little about my past. With the format he developed in his own biography - featuring pictures relevant to each phase on every page, I reasoned that this was in fact a photograph album with text – and a nice record for generations to come. Initially, I was uncomfortable with a process that involved daily taped interviews which were turned into text. My childhood was not a happy one, and recalling the past was difficult and extremely emotional. Gradually as the story progressed into better times, I relaxed and began to enjoy the process - even finding it cathartic. It was also a time to celebrate the various phases of my life, and to acknowledge the great contributions made by my partners, children and friends. First up was handsome Bill Hays who introduced me to adulthood after I arrived in America as a naïve Swedish teenager. He was also the conduit to the exciting social life that prevailed in Palm Springs in those far-off days of the ‘sixties’. Although the marriage was not a great success, he provided me with my adorable twins Thomas and Michael. They inherited his good looks, and his athletic physique. Always the centre of attraction, they were well loved by all my suitors and friends. Next was the nurturing Victor Rothschild who was responsible for the biggest growth period of my life. He encouraged my involvement in business, and gave me free reign in developing and decorating various homes. Best of all, he gave me the beautiful Alana, and the free spirited, charismatic Ryan. Victor was a great father who instilled wonderful family values, and we remain close to this day. Then there is Kenneth – the perennial partyin-progress whose glass is always half full. It was he, a fellow Swede, who re-introduced me to my birthplace. Through him I learned to really love and appreciate the country that held so many bad memories from my childhood. We return every year to our lovely home in Särö and our wonderful circle of Swedish friends. If one believes as I do - that there are different people for the various phases in one’s life then Kenneth is the right man for me right now. Each of my three husbands has had a big influence on shaping my ideals, personality and character, and I salute them all. Although I have many great friends, it is not possible to acknowledge them all in a foreword. I must make an exception however for my special friend, the late Marilyn Mitchell. She opened many doors and introduced me to some very dear friends in the United States. Much of her time was devoted to caring for my four children with whom she had a particularly close bond. Finally, a vote of thanks to my good friend Roy, who played a role somewhere between a priest in a confessional, a psychiatrist listening intently to my recall of the past, and a biographer who cobbled it all together. It’s been an amazing ride, and to quote the immortal Edith Piaf – ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’ – ‘No regrets’. My love to you all Ingela Index Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: Growing up in Gothenburg High School Palm Springs The New World Anyone for tennis? The twins Victor Hancock Park Bumps in the road A return to (SW)EDEN Kenneth The Seychelles Beginnings Indian Wells Family matters The Americanization of Ingela Särö Cape Town 6 10 11 14 20 24 29 41 44 48 50 52 54 57 59 64 68 69 Chapter 19: The Toscana Country Club 72 elected to live a totally separate life because his father was a confirmed alcoholic. As a result of this, the boy was farmed out to a succession of relatives, and up to the age of 13 when he moved in with his father, had lived in more than a dozen homes. Axel had four sisters and seven brothers, five of whom were butchers dotted around Gothenburg. Their father and mother died within a week of each other, and at their double funeral the brothers split into two groups of four pallbearers to convey each parent Ingela´s father Sven with grandfather to their final resting Axel Svensson 1935. place. This made headlines in the Gothenburg newspapers at the time. Axel carried on the tradition set by most of his family by becoming a butcher, with the American shipping lines being some of his major clients. It was only after he became successful that he lived under the same roof as his son, and it doesn’t need Sigmund Freud to fathom the degree of emotional scarring 1: Growing up in Gothenburg I first met Ingela for lunch in a Stellenbosch restaurant in February 1987. She had come to South Africa for the first time to sort out some business matters for Kenneth, and it was not the most festive occasion. This was some fourteen months before she married Kenneth, and as I had been a friend of the Keillers for some time, she probably felt that she was deep in enemy territory. And of course from my side of the bridge, I spent the afternoon in a rather glacial atmosphere. So there was nowhere else to go but up from there, and I’m pleased to say that she went on to become a close and valued friend. In the intervening years, and during the course of gathering background for this story, I realized that Ingela is one book you can’t judge by its cover. If our childhood is the crucible from which we are formed, it must be said that much of Ingela’s strength of character was forged by coping with a difficult and rather lonely upbringing. She was born in Lerum, a small village outside Gothenburg in 1943 to Sven and Maiki Svensson. They were reluctant parents forced into a marriage by an unplanned pregnancy, and ill equipped emotionally for such an event. Although Sweden was neutral at the time, the war was raging in Norway and Sven spent the next two years on the country’s western border. During this time, Maiki commuted to Gothenburg where she worked as a florist, and it was only two years later when the war ended that Ingela’s father came into her life. He was the dominant factor in her childhood and teen years, and to understand him we need to take a look at his lineage. Sven was the illegitimate child of Axel Svensson and Olga Anderson, and his mother Karl Axel Larsen with his six children, from left Oscar, Tekla, Lydia, Erik, Annie and Sara (Eleonore). 6 that Sven must have suffered from the lack of love and stability. It also fuelled great insecurity and a constant need for acceptance, which he garnered by developing a fast wit and gregarious personality - thus ensuring admiration and popularity in later years. Ironically, with emotions cauterized by his troubled childhood, he passed the same lack of affirmation on to Ingela in an emotionally remote upbringing. It must be said that he was a reluctant father, who didn’t want a daughter, and her problems were compounded later when he carried over a genetic defect from his father by sliding into Ingela one year old. alcoholism himself. After the war the Svenssons moved into an apartment in Gothenburg, and Sven followed family convention by opening a butchery in a very affluent area of town. Ingela was denied a normal childhood, and when she was four would be sent several blocks to a fishmonger to buy the evening meal. She was held accountable for both the quality of the fish, and the price as well. At the age of five, when most kids are terrified of dentists, she was sent off in search of one, armed with an address that she had to match up with the scribbled shape of the letters as she couldn’t read. Rounding off the rather bleak influences of her early years were the grandparents. Axel the drunk was very fond of her, but he died from the ravages of alcoholism when she was seven. Olga, her paternal grandmother tried to assuage her guilt for rejecting her son by bestowing a certain amount of affection on her granddaughter. And Ingela’s maternal Grandfather, an extremely bright and musically gifted singing coach, was widowed when she Ingela six years old. was an infant, offered little by way of affection. The only other person in her circle was Bengt Petersen, a boy of similar age, who lived nearby and became her solitary friend. Ingela worshipped her father, despite his indifferent attitude, doing her utmost to gain his approval. His main passion in those days was racing a motorbike on the Kaparna speedway circuit - a pursuit in which he excelled, and which satisfied his craving for recognition and acceptance. Allied to this was the fact that he would have preferred a son, and this partiality was rewarded by the birth of Thomas when she was five. Her brother instantly became the obvious favorite of her father, soaking up all the love and attention that she had always been denied. He turned out to be a hyperactive, and accident prone handful, Maiki and Sven Svensson married 1943. 7 notching up a string of mishaps most notable of which were the imbibing of a solid dosage of ammonia, a brush with typhoid, and Ingela as St Lucia and her brother Thomas in a seriously Sweden 1953. mangled hand which he caught in a meat grinder as he cavorted around the butchery. All of this severely reduced what limited attention she received, and she exacted revenge by whacking him when her parents were out of range. In later years they became quite close, but in those early years he was a terrible thorn in her side. Relief from the passionless desert at home came when she started school along with her friend Bengt Petersen. Because she had spent the previous years without the stimulation of any outside relationships, she remained aloof from all her fellow students. In the same class was Heini Andersson, an extremely ugly Jewish boy – a refugee from Germany who became the focus of an anti-Semitic wave of harassment and intimidation. She rescued him from complete isolation by becoming his Heini Andersson 6th grade friend – an act to which Otterhällan 1955. he responded with unbounded adoration. They were both outsiders, and he and Bengt were her only companions. Ingela was a very bright student, and she received affirmation for the very first time from a math teacher who demonstrated a definite partiality towards her in recognizing her aptitude for numbers. Nobody had ever had singled her out for praise before, and she was aglow from the experience. Another major event occurred when a couple came to the school looking for a boy and a girl to feature in an advertisement for Volvo motor First Class in Otterhällan, Ingela middle row last right 1949. cars. She was chosen, beginning a career in modeling that stretched into adulthood. From cars she moved on to bicycles, a retail chain called ICA and even a calendar which became an annual event. Apart from giving her much needed confidence, this entrenched in her the importance of appearance. On entering the first grade at the age of six, an incident at home signaled the start of a traumatic and sinister phase of her life. Battling to grasp the elements of reading, her father became frustrated and gave her a severe thrashing. The beatings continued and spread to include all minor misdemeanors, real or imagined. Gradually her father’s imbibing progressed from social drinking to weekend binges and eventually on to full blown alcoholism. As his dependence on liquor increased, so did the severity and incidence of the abuse. The affable personality and quick Tekla (died 1946) and Joel Odenjung (died 1972) both born 1892, 8 wit that had won over so many friends and her earlier admiration also disappeared. Whilst her mother was in hospital giving birth to Claes, her youngest brother five years later, she received a particularly severe hammering that left her face badly bruised. She threatened to run off to the maternity ward to show her mother, but as unaccompanied children were not allowed, she was thwarted from doing so. Ingela moved into her teens with a constant fear of her father, and his violence was eventually brought to a head at age sixteen when she retaliated by kicking him on the shins whist wearing heavy ski boots. He crumpled in a heap with a severely injured leg, and she ran off to a friend where she sought refuge for the night. This brought an end the ten year reign of cruelty. Thinking back she can only recall two incidents involving her father with any degree of affection. At the age of eight, he taught her to drive, and in Sweden in those early days there didn’t seem to be any laws or even speed limits to hamper motoring aspirations. Then later whilst in her teens, and hankering after a 50cc moped, he offered to match any money she raised in an effort to buy one. With characteristic fervor she dug up potatoes, picked strawberries and delivered newspapers in From top, uncle Begt, Sven, uncle Gösta, grandfater Joel, Maiki, grandmother Tekla, aunt Sonja, Ingela and Bo, 1946, achieving her much desired mobility. But these were the only happy memories that she can recall in an emotionally bleak and traumatic relationship. When he committed suicide ten years later at the age of forty five, he left a note saying that he couldn’t live with his conscience when sober, and he hated himself when he was drunk. Ingela's Confirmation picture with the family priest Sven Johansson. 9 had a pervasive negativity and a bad habit of incessant chatter linked to inflexible opinions that would have got her down in the end. After splitting Jan Lindgren went on to become a successful businessman owning several optomotry stores. 2: High School O n entering high school, Ingela experienced quite a few changes that made life on some levels, a lot more interesting. Chief of these was the discovery that she was a natural athlete. She won a sprint event the first time she ran it, and went from zero to hero in the short space of 60 meters. Suddenly she was propelled from being the class wallflower into the celebrity status that all schools accord their star athletes. Throughout her high school career, she managed to keep a grip on the sprint events, even beating competitors from rival schools around Gothenburg. Added to this, was a new-found confidence as she graduated from cute to beautiful – a potent mix in the realms of teen age desirability. With her emerging popularity, she started interacting with the opposite sex, but nothing serious cropped up until she went on a week long skiing excursion with her class, and returned with the ski One of Ingela's ads in Sweden age 14. On the home front the situation was deteriorating along with the march of the demon drink. Her mother, who was rather weak, didn’t help much as she used her as both a shield, and a tool, pushing her into influencing her father away from his addiction. With her new status and confidence level at school, she became much more confrontational, leading to a permanently tense atmosphere. The one small respite in the stand off between father and daughter was his immense pride in her athletic prowess. Ingela with Jan Lindgren her first boyfriend Sweden 1959. instructor. This turned out to be Jan Lindgren, her first love and a great source of annoyance for her father who disapproved of the match from the beginning. Ingela always thought that his disapproval stemmed from the age gap - he was 24 to her 15, but had good prospects being an optometrist who taught skiing as a sideline. Meeting him later in life, she realized that he Ingela at Liseberg in Gothenburg, 1960. 10 But this didn’t translate into a softening in attitude however, as his moods were dictated from the depth of a bottle. In the year before entering high school, Maiki Svensson gave birth to Claes and this brought Ingela’s nurturing instincts to the fore. He was born with a serious ‘cross eyed’ optical defect, which gave him a weird visage that was to cause him much trauma, and the same lack of acceptance she had endured for the previous spend some time in Palm Springs. Her father agreed to this mainly because it would get Jan Lindgren out of her life. And so at the age of seventeen she arrived in the desert resort town to spend several months with Carl and Eleanor Anderson in the trailer park that they owned called Ramon Trailer Park. These were the days before air conditioning, and Palm Ingela's graduation in Sweden 1959. eleven years. They became extremely close, as Thomas continued to be favored whilst they were severely marginalized. Once he was old enough he underwent an operation to try to rectify the fault, but it was a complete disaster and all that happened was an eye that now swiveled outwards instead of inwards, making him look even more peculiar. The good eye was even ‘milked off ’ in an attempt to get him to use the other defective one. This accidentally carried a big bonus when he was nineteen, and Ingela, who was living in Los Angeles at the time, sponsored another operation which succeeded in straightening his eyesight. Against all expectations, the previously restless eye enjoyed normal vision. Ingela's great aunt Eleonore Sara Andersson. Springs literally closed down between Easter and November due to the extreme heat. When she arrived in October, it was a ghost town for a month before the regulars returned, the most notable of who were Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Janet Leigh, Johnny Weissmuller, Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas and Dinah Shore. Her first foray into the job market was as a maid to an elderly orthodox Jewish couple. They were most unpleasant and after five days of housekeeping within the strict confines of a kosher household, she packed it in. Although she understood English she didn’t feel comfortable speaking it, so she enrolled in a night class at the local high school to correct this. Robinson’s was the biggest department store in Palm Springs, and her aunt managed to get her a job there as a sales assistant selling hosiery, gloves and handbags. On Xmas eve a tall very good looking gent came to her counter 3: Palm Springs O nce she graduated from high school, Ingela accepted an invitation from her great aunt to 11 to buy some last minute presents, and before leaving he asked her if she would like to have dinner with him. Her ears ringing with her aunt´s warning that one must be introduced before Ronda Fleming with Bill and Ingela Hays 1962. accepting a date. Returning to work after the Yuletide celebrations, a man approached her and formally introduced himself as being one Frank Esham. With that out of the way, he then said he would like to introduce her to Bill Hays, one of his friends. At that moment the handsome man who had asked her out on Xmas eve stepped up. Ingela was highly amused by this, and accepted subject to being able to bring her aunt as a chaperone. He was taken aback by this, but as she was only seventeen, and he a thirty nine year old divorcee, agreed to this most un-American courtship. Bill was extremely handsome, with a razor sharp wit that found expression in an ongoing succession of one – liners. He was born in Tulsa (Oklahoma) and was one of five kids, three boys and two girls. His father died when he was three, leaving his mother with the titanic struggle of raising and educating the family on very little money. She was a staunch Catholic, mired in religious dogma rather than generosity of spirit. To her great credit, all her children went on to successful careers. His youngest brother Sam rose to the top ranks at Pfizer, Bill and Robert became lawyers, Peggy a nun, and Kathryn a personal assistant to J Paul Getty junior. Perhaps the battle in bringing up and putting her children through college was the reason behind her Permafrost personality. With money being really tight, Bill got a job at the local ice rink where he scooped learner skaters off the frozen surface, and helped them on their way. This was also the arena, in which he developed the charm that served him so well in later life. At the time of their meeting at the glove counter, he was divorced, and already had two children. Bill was a partner in a Los Angeles law firm, and had a house in Hollywood Hills. He also had a small home in Palm Springs, and as this was only 2 hours away by car, spent most of his weekends there. Early on in their courtship, he introduced her to the Racquet Club, the social hub of the town started by veteran actors Ralph Bellamy and Charlie Ferrall. Tall, athletic Bill was a champion tennis player, as a well as a prominent lawyer, two important attributes in a club which boasted of having every celebrity in town as a member. It was here that she also met Carl Deutsch, an attractive youth not much older than herself, and started dating him during the week, and Bill on weekends. He ran an aircraft Charles Rombeau, Janet Leigh and Bill Hays 1962. parts business, and also had a flying license. All this was a far cry from her plodding social life in Sweden, and she took to the USA with unbounded enthusiasm. One day, walking down Palm Canyon Avenue she was approached by a talent scout who asked her if she was interested in being a model. This was one of the oldest pick-up lines in America, and both she and her aunt were skeptical. He turned out to be genuine, and she got the job as a house fitting model 12 for a clothing company called Lanz, based in Los Angeles. Carl Deutsch flew her up for her first assignment, which turned out to be a big success. From then on she had to make her way to L.A. every Wednesday where she earned $100 dollars a day – considerably more than she made at the department store in a week. Getting there was always a bit of a challenge, and her uncle sometimes stepped into the breach to drive her to work. Occasionally Carl Deutsch flew her there, and once she went in the splendor of a Rolls Royce when she got a lift from Herb Hutner, a very wealthy businessman who later married Zsa Zsa Gabor. Eventually she responded to an advertisement in the Desert Sun, calling for an inhouse model for a chain of fashion stores owned by Waltah Clarke, two of which were in Palm Springs. Her application was successful and in no time her leadership qualities and determination lead to an appointment as head model in charge of five girls. Apart from thoroughly enjoying her job, she also had a Vini Rurac, tennis pro at the P.S. Tennis Club. great deal of rapport with Waltah and his wife Gretchen who had a Swedish father. After a few months of courtship, things were getting hot and heavy with Bill Hays, and her brief flirtation with Carl Deutsch began to fade. Bill introduced her to a celebrity based social life that was light years from her previous existence in Gothenburg. Before returning to Sweden in May, they toured San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in his powerful Ford Thunderbird, confirming that they were en route to a deeper relationship. Back home in Gothenburg, they kept up the momentum with long distance telephone calls, and in July he appeared on her doorstep with a marriage proposal. Her folks were not keen on a betrothal built around a twenty two year age gap, but gave their hesitant permission realizing that Ingela had slipped out of their sphere of influence and become fiercely independent. The wedding was planned for December, shortly after she would turn eighteen – the legal limit in America. Before returning to the States Bill took Ingela on a brief holiday to Antibes via Hamburg and Munich. Here they ran into Jack Warner who had a palatial spread in this famous coastal town on the French Riviera. Every day they played tennis there, rubbing shoulders with the visiting glitterati. Gothenburg must have seemed a dreary alternative when she returned, and years later she realized that it was the Ingela 1961. 13 Ingela on Waltah Clark´s float at the Palm Springs New Years Parade, the grand marshall was William Holden and the singer Frankie Avalon, 1961. exciting life that Bill had introduced her too, as much as the man himself, that fuelled her romance. After his departure, Ingela started work in a newly launched travel agency, which was run on crisis management lines. After a month, she quit and joined Dress - a coat and suit outfit run by Rune Breding who marketed his range through modeling exhibitions in various hotels. This saved her from the tedium of Gothenburg, and she got on very well with him as well. The travel agency must have got its act together, as it is one of the biggest in Sweden today. Eagerly she looked forward to her forthcoming marriage, and a large part of her anticipation was the impending return to America and the lifestyle she had experienced months before. 4: The New World I ngela and Bill’s wedding went off without a hitch in December1961 with most of the usual traditions in place – 80 guests, rituals by the family priest, Sven Johansen, a song from her maternal grandfather, and back in L.A., a mother-in-law from hell. She was violently opposed to the match, being a staunch Catholic who didn’t believe in divorcees re-marrying. A big surprise came in Bill’s speech, a good portion of which was delivered in Swedish – a feat made possible by his extraordinary photographic memory, and a crash night course in the language at UCLA. It was only on the flight home that a serious bout of buyer’s remorse set in when she was suddenly beset 14 Ingela and Bill Hays wedding write up in Sweden Dec. 1961. with grave doubts about the whole affair. On arriving in Los Angeles, they proceeded to his home at Kings Road in Hollywood Ingela and Bill Hays wedding 1961. Hills where they were welcomed by Bill’s housemate of several years, Marty Goldfarb. He was a prominent cardiologist, and had lived there for most of the time since Bill’s divorce. Marty turned out to be an all-round good fellow, but his presence on the doorstep of their new life together came as quite a shock. His lady at the time was Connie Hines, the star of ‘Mr. Ed’ a popular TV show, and Connie Hines 1962. they became 15 firm friends. Although small in stature, Connie’s constant battle with her weight introduced Ingela to the great American obsession with fitness and diet. Palm Springs continued to be a popular weekend feature in their lives, Bill having retained his house there. After a game one afternoon, Janet Leigh invited them to her house pursuant to getting some advice about her forthcoming divorce from Tony Curtis. Like the Hayses she frequently spent weekends at her holiday home in the middle of Palm Springs. Bill was not a family lawyer, but pointed her in the right direction by recommending someone suitable. The girls hit it off, and the famous movie star became a close friend. Shortly after her divorce, Janet married Bob Brandt and they bought a home off Hutton Drive, in Beverley Hills, so named because of its proximity to Barbara Hutton the infamous Woolworths heiress. They demolished the house and rented a place across the road whilst they set about building a spectacular replacement. The property also had a tennis court, and this immediately became the venue for weekend games. Watching from the sidelines were Janet’s enormous Great Danes - Connie Hines and Marty Goldfarb 1962. Karl and Eric. Eventually, a spectacular edifice rose from the ground, and on a visit from Sweden, Ingela’s mother was overwhelmed by the walk-in closet that featured a vast array of clothes, all immaculately stored and color coded in a manner that wouldn’t have looked out of place at Bloomingdale’s. Janet was a member of Share, a charity organization that amongst other things, held a lively themed party every year to raise funds. This was a glittering event in which the stars strutted their stuff, singing, dancing and generally showcasing their talents. Share Party May 1962. Apart from being incredibly beautiful, Ms Leigh had a wonderful figure, and was a great dancer as well. So this was something they all looked forward to with great anticipation. Eventually their paths separated, when the Brandts moved to a house in the prestigious Trousdale Estate. But Janet’s daughters, Jamie Lee and Kelly were at the Hawthorne Ingela in advert for Lantz 1962. Elementary School at the same time as the Hays twins, so they still saw each other periodically. Ingela only saw her once more during the later years, shortly before she died in 2004. But she always remembers her as the sweet charming woman, totally lacking a traditional Hollywood ego, and unaffected by her fame and celebrity. Ingela’s other great friend in those early days was Dinah Shore, the Emmy Award winning singer and actress who hosted The Dinah Shore Show - the highly esteemed TV variety programme that ran for seven years. They had also originally met at the Racquet Club in Palm Springs during her first visit, but they only became close after her marriage. At the time, she was married to George Montgomery, a vintage western star. His obsession at the time centered round developing a rather weird back-to-front-chair that had people leaning on Bill and Ingela dressed up for Share Party 1962. 16 a support rather than inclining against a backrest. They divorced soon after, and George Montgomery rode into the sunset with his chair. Dinah introduced Ingela to Hollywood shopping and pistachio nuts - the latter being unknown in Los Angeles in those days, but a staple in Texas where she grew up. Buying shoes was always a fascinating exercise as Ms Shore had different sized feet due to the Polio she suffered as a child. Consequently she always had to purchase two identical pairs, and sprawled across California there must be a collection of discarded oddly-matched shoes that have never seen active duty! Because of the Polio deformity, Dinah always wore slacks – even when playing tennis, but there was nothing wrong with her mobility around the court. Some time in the summer of ’63, Ingela and Bill attended a spectacular ‘Hollywood’ wedding when Dinah married Maurice Smith, a plasterer she had met at the Racquet Club. This seemed to be an unusual match as he was short, and although fairly presentable, was not in her social league. But Smitty, it turned out, was a first class tennis player, and that was enough to vault him into the domain of the rich and famous in those days. The reception for over 300 guests was held at the magnificent home of Sydney and Bea Korshak in Bel Air, an even more affluent suburb than Beverley Hills. He was a well known lawyer famous for defending Mafia king pins. Among the many Ingela in advert for Aziza Eyemaker 1962. guests were a Swedish miss Sweden Ingrid (Goude) Ohrbach and her husband Jerry. Predictably, the marriage didn’t last, and some time later Dinah set the tabloids alight with her highly publicized romance with Burt Reynolds, 20 years her junior. As with Janet Leigh, their destinies diverged and they drifted apart. They met again for the last time in 1994 at a charity concert at UCLA where the ailing star put up a brave but inferior performance. She was in the final throes of a struggle with cancer, and died a few months later. Parties also became a staple of their social diet, and they attended one thrown by a good friend Dick Elwood to celebrate his ‘coming out’ of a recent divorce. His date at the time was Judy, a stunning brunette with luminescent blue eyes and a wonderful figure. Later that night they went on to a night club on the Sunset Strip where Chubby Checker was performing and adding fuel to the ‘Twist’ craze raging at the time. As they walked in, he acknowledged them by announcing “Ladies and Gentlemen – Miss Judy Cambell”, to a round of enthusiastic applause. The reason emerged Joyce and Richard Ralphs 1963. 17 Ingela hopped next door to borrow a cup of sugar, and was confronted by two burly, surly bodyguards. Brushing past them she knocked on the door which was opened a crack by a hesitant Judy. There followed a muted discussion within the apartment, and after a few seconds she Celebrating Dinner in New York 17 Sept. 1962 getting Bob Whittaker´s company on the New York Stockexchange. was admitted. much later. Dick and Judy went on to become Judy then introduced her to a man sitting on regular friends, and they often met on the social the couch “Ingela, I’d like you to meet the circuit. At one party Ingela noticed a label with President of the the inscription ‘I love you Judy – Frank’ sewn United States – Mr. into a fabulous mink coat lying on a chair. John Kennedy!” The When asked if this was Sinatra she replied “is president it seems there any other Frank?” was mixing DNA Three is always a crowd - especially in a with Frank Sinatra budding marriage, and they soon moved from and a few Mafia the house into an apartment in Fountain Bosses, a fact which Ingela and Bill at a Thalian Avenue. As it happened, their new neighbor was revealed much at the Beverly Hilton just happened to be Judy Cambell. One evening later in several books, party Hotel. including Judy’s own autobiography. Either Dick Elwood or his wealth must have had extraordinary magnetism, because his next and final romantic liaison after Judy Cambell was Rhonda Fleming. His fortune had been dramatically boosted by the sale of his manufacturing company to a Washington concern for a huge sum of money, thus freeing him to enjoy retirement at a relatively early age. His relationship with Rhonda continued for several years, and Bill Hays got quite involved with her in sorting out some disputed fire insurance claim. Vera Ellen, Victor Rothschild, Ingela and Bill with Lee and Jim Hickey at the Portofino Restaurant in Acapulco 1963. Gradually her relationship with Dick 18 began to deteriorate, that she was going around which time to help him run his he suffered a heart business. Fortunately attack. Whilst in she was well equipped hospital he was given a to do so, having learnt newspaper headlining typing, shorthand the news that Rhonda and book-keeping at had married Ted school. Although he Mann, chairman of had a full staff at the the renowned theatre time, he also tended chain (which included to store a lot of stuff Hollywood’s famous in his photographic Chinese Theatre). memory, and she Whether he died managed to download Bill and Ingela, Marty Goldfarb with girlfriend Joyce. because his time was much of this into an up, or on cue from the newspaper report will efficient filing system. She also became adept at never be known. converting court tapes into suitable briefs. One of the big adjustments came about With her involvement at Bill’s office, her when Bill resigned from a large corporate equilibrium returned, and as he got on top practice to set up on his own in prestigious of his workload they resumed all their social premises on the corner of Hollywood and activities. This included the resumption Vine. This meant long hours and hard work, of weekend excursions to Palm Springs. leaving There were two major social rallying points early and at the time, the Racquet Club, and weekly returning extravaganzas hosted by the immensely late at wealthy Bob Whittaker (founder of Whittaker night. Corp) in his magnificent manor. Living Quite with him was Kem Dibbs, a perennial bit soon after they moved into the Vera Ellen and Ingela in Acapulco 1963. Fountain Avenue apartment, Ingela was beset by a deep debilitating depression. This was triggered by the realization that the doubts that surfaced shortly after the wedding were well founded, and the marriage at that stage was not what she had hoped for. Whilst Bill was at the office, she would get up late, and lie around watching TV as a formidable collection of dirty crockery piled up in the sink. He never remarked on this as he was so busy at the office that he never saw the dishes, and was a total stranger to the kitchen. After several months she got up, tidied herself and marched the four miles to his office where to Bill’s great surprise and initial reluctance, she announced Bill and Ingela in Newport Beach 1966. 19 a decade and in parting gave her stock in his company, a car and an apartment. Although he already had five children of his own, his new wife persuaded him to adopt four more. She also moved swiftly in parting him from his old habits, and the weekend parties passed into Palm Springs folklore. Kem went on to the sanctity of a marriage to a wealthy widow. Bill Hays, Hugh Stewart, Bengt Petterson and Seven Svensson (Ingela`s father). player at the end of his movie career, whose sole purpose was to recruit the starlets and beautiful people who populated his weekend parties. The house itself was geared for such events, boasting a spectacular entertainment area specially designed for its purpose of hosting a constant stream of luminaries. Bob had a vast and extremely opulent bedroom, Kem occupied a space that was only slightly less luxurious, and there were at least a dozen suites all with exterior access available to the rich and famous that flocked to Palm Springs. Bob Whitaker’s wife was mentally ill at the time, and she was cared for in a separate home, thus preventing him from marrying Aja Jostens, a beautiful Aija and Bob Whitaker 1962. girl from Estonia - his long term love interest, . She was ever hopeful of becoming his wife one day. Ironically after his spouse died he happened to meet Susan, a striking woman thirty five years his junior, fell desperately in love and married her in a ceremony attended by Bill and Ingela within two weeks. He acknowledged that Aja had been a wonderful companion for nearly Bill and Ingela at there second marraige in Las Vegas 1968. 5: Anyone for tennis? C elebrity in the sixties was a very different phenomenon from what it is now. Today’s icons are surrounded by a phalanx of bodyguards, personal assistants and press agents all working to shield them from the public, and to regulate the flow of publicity. There was none of this back then, and the Racquet Club was probably the most popular destination for the leading 20 lights of America at the time. Palm Springs with its unique climate and culture became a magnet for presidents, politicians, newsmakers, film stars, sportsmen and the super rich. Nearly all of them wound up at the Racquet Club at some stage, many as guests, as it had a large and luxurious lodge to accommodate those that could afford it. The price of admission was fame, fortune, great personal charisma, or superior tennis skills. The attractive Hays couple qualified on quite a few counts, and found themselves rubbing shoulders with the glitterati of the time. Ingela, with her natural athletic ability soon became a good and sought after player, finding herself partnering people like Barbara Marx (later to become Mrs. Frank Sinatra) and increasing her social circle all the while. One significant contact at the time was Victor Rothschild, a wealthy oilman and scion of the British half of the famous dynasty. He was married to Vera Ellen the actress, and often stayed at the club. More about him later, as he was destined to become Ingela’s second husband. Back then, however, he was just a friend with whom they traveled to Acapulco along with Richard and Joyce Ralphs – heir to the renowned Ralphs Supermarket chain. Perhaps the Racquet Club’s most famous legacy is that it spawned The Pacific Life Indian Wells Tournament, the most famous tennis spectacle in the world outside of the Majors. It takes place in the Indian Wells Tennis Garden a desert oasis rimmed by the breathtaking Santa Rosa Mountains and surrounded by exotic landscaping. Boasting a 16,000 seat stadium ringed by an upper deck of luxurious suites, it showcases the world’s premier tennis talent – in 2006 it was won for an unprecedented third time by Roger Federer. Way back in the sixties, Julie Copeland, a hostess at the Racquet Club, Charlie Pasarell and South African Ray Moore were the driving force behind a tournament that attracted the rising talent at the time. These were promising players like Arthur Ashe, who were just beginning their march to tennis immortality. Such was the initial success of this competition that it became an annual event. It was moved to the suburb of Mission Hills, renamed The Pacific Life and experienced an increase in the scale and depth of talent taking part. The evolution of the tournament continued apace, and its next move was to a stadium in neighboring La Quinta. By this time the world’s top players were all taking part, and it had become a major feature on the ITT calendar. It also moved from being a male only tournament, to one which included the top women players at the time. With burgeoning world attention on the event, the organizers recognized that this focus drew heavily on the mystique and charisma of its singular locality. Capitalizing on this they designed a stadium at Indian Wells that encapsulated the extraordinary beauty of the surrounding panorama. The result is a unique sporting arena unlike any other in the world, hosting an event that generates almost as much interest and attention as the Majors from the international tennerati. And it is still run by two of the founders, Charlie Pasarel and Ray Moore, Julie Copeland having passed away several years ago. Back in their primary home, The Los Angeles Tennis Club was also a tremendous social hub. Every year it held the internationally famous Pacific South West Tournament, and was bigger than any other competition outside of the majors at the time, although it would later be overhauled by the Indian Wells event. It was also a venue for younger players, like Arthur Ashe from U.C.L.A. who became a good friend of Ingela’s. Being black, he was consigned to the back courts, as the L.A. Club was under the auspices of the USA Lawn Tennis Association whose president Perry T. Jones enforced segregation, despite the fact that they did not practice it at the time. Ashe went on to win three majors including Wimbledon, and on principle never went back to the club. She kept contact with him during his march to fame, and saw him shortly before he died of the Aids he contracted from contaminated blood used during a heart operation. Apart from the stars, there was also a host of colorful members like Gorgeous Gussie Moran, she of the lace frilled panties that set 21 Wimbledon agog in the forties. On a couple of occasions Ingela found herself in a mixed doubles match with Rene Richards, the famous tennis player who had a sex change operation. It must be pointed out that Rene was equally capable of playing mixed singles as well! Another interesting character bouncing around was Bobby Riggs, the ebullient tennis hustler and self promoter who bet on himself in all manner of self promoting escapades, the most famous of which was the ‘Battle of the Sexes in 1973. Aged 55, and a former world no 1, he took on and beat the world’s leading female, 30 year old Margaret Court, in Ramona (California). Billie Jean King, who watched his cunning display featuring all manner of drops, lobs and assorted spins, challenged him to a match which was played at the Houston Astrodome. She was carried into the arena Roman Emperor style, held aloft by 4 musclemen, and he followed in a rickshaw pulled by scantily clad women. The canny Billie Jean outplayed the cagey Riggs in straight sets by abandoning her normally aggressive style in favor of the same foxy tactics he had used against Margaret Court. Ingela’s friendship with Bob Whittaker, lead to regular games at Charlton Heston’s home. He and his longtime (and only) wife Lydia were crazy about tennis, but he wasn’t into socializing. Immensely fit, stoic, and fiercely loyal to his spouse, who doubled as his agent and manager, he displayed many of the qualities portrayed in the famous epic – Ben Hur with a tennis racquet you could say! The other interesting game she played occasionally was at the house of Dean and Jeannie Martin. She was an enthusiastic and capable player, but Dino used to come mid morning in a bit of a stupor, watch goggle-eyed for a while, before disappearing to Bel Air Country Club where he loved playing golf. The Pacific South West Tournament was run by Jack Kramer, who achieved international fame in the fifties when he took his ‘tennis circus’ consisting of Lew Hoad, Rod Laver, Pancho Gonzales and Pancho Segura around the world. In those early days, the ‘Pacific’ had a popular ladies section which came to a screeching halt when Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals had a huge dust up with Kramer, and walked off the court mid tournament. This brought the curtain down on female participation, and it remains a male only contest today. Billie Jean and Rosie took their talents off to Virginia Slims which became the femaleonly equivalent of the Pacific South West. Ingela actually played in this tournament a few times, and on one occasion was beaten by Carol Caldwell, who was the ranked third in the USA at the time. ZaZa Gabor and Hugh Stewart 1962. Every year, the top tennis stars, arrived for the famous tournament. As the clubhouse was off-limits to anyone who wasn’t a member, this provided those that were with an ideal opportunity to rub shoulders with the players. Jimmy Connors had a boyish enthusiasm well into adulthood, whilst Bjorn Borg had a solitary air, and was extremely introverted. As these were days before the full force of professionalism kicked in, the members also accommodated many of the tennis stars in their homes, with the Rothschild’s hosting Torben Ulrich from Denmark on a couple of occasions. One of their friends in those days, was Geary Steffen, (one time partner of Sonja Hennie, the famous Norwegian figure skating 22 idol), and latterly married to Jane Powell the actress. He invited them to go skiing at Wrightwood with a young visitor from France. Bill declined as he had another commitment, and the rest set off for the ski resort which was one hour north of L.A. The young Frenchman was an absolute wizard on the slopes and brought the house down with a spectacular display down an impossibly steep slope at the end of the run. He went on to become JeanClaude Killy – the skiing legend who won two world championships and three gold medals at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympic It was also Geary Steffen who introduced them to Lance Reventlow at a polo match in Santa Barbara. He was the only son of Barbara Hutton, the unhappy Woolworths heiress from whom he was estranged. Dubbed the Poor Little Rich Girl by the media at the time, she had recklessly squandered a $100 million fortune in the pursuit of happiness via a string of husbands, lovers and opportunistic friends. Lance, who had been married to Jill St John, was now betrothed to Cheryl Holdridge, a mouseketeer in a famous kiddies TV programme. When Lance was killed in an airplane accident she turned to Ingela for solace, as they had become firm friends. Bill’s obsession with tennis, continued well into their marriage, and one summer they took a party to the All England championships at Wimbledon. The group consisted of Dinah and Smitty, Hugh Stewart with Maddy De Mont (nee Astor) and roving bachelor Marty Goldfarb. After Wimbledon the group went on to Gothenburg where Ingela’s mother hosted a luncheon, sans her father who had gone AWOL on one of his frequent walkabouts. Following this they returned to Cannes on the French Riviera. Amongst other things here they enjoyed a party aboard a yacht belonging to Frederick Loewe, the composer famous for his collaborations with Alan Jaye Lerner the lyricist. This brilliant musical duo produced a string of Broadway triumphs including Camelot and the blockbusting My Fair Lady. A few Days later they re-connected with Jack Warner in neighboring Antibes, who coincidentally just happened to have produced the movie versions of the aforementioned musicals. What a small place the Celebrity world was in those days. One of the lasting legacies of this tour was a meeting that took place at the Wimbledon tournament between Marty Goldfarb and Sandy Shore, an attractive young tennis player from South Africa. This led to an on-off courtship that toggled between England, South Africa and America for thirty years before they married. The romance had plenty of ‘ups’ and ‘downs’, and it was during a lengthy off-period that Marty got involved with Eleanor Parker, the brilliant actress and flame haired beauty. On visiting them in the film star’s home years later, Ingela was overwhelmed by a poster size collection of framed photographs featuring a nude and heavily pregnant Eleanor Parker dotted around the lounge. They had been taken by Ms Parker’s ex husband who was an accomplished photographer. Despite such celebrated opposition Ms Shore, prevailed and they eventually married, and are still together to this day. After a memorable vacation, Ingela and Bill returned to Sweden for her cousin’s wedding, and the rest of the group returned home. Following the reception they drove around Sweden for the rest of summer in a Corvette that they had shipped over in the hopes of selling it there. Although the car drew a lot of interest Ingela's and Bills car for sale in Sweden 1966. and admiration, they battled to sell it at the end of their tour, and had to settle for a loss. Towards the end of their Swedish Holiday, Ingela was beset with recurring bouts of morning sickness…… 23 the marriage itself. In concentrating on raising the children, Bill began to feel that he was being marginalized, and serious Eleanor Parker and Marty Goldfarb feeding the twins 1965. fault lines in the union began to the surface. One incident that didn’t help occurred when he went to Sacramento on business and an early morning phone call was answered by a female voice. As coincidence would have it, there just so happened to be another William T Hays registered at the same hotel! Well that was Bill’s story and he has stuck to it ever since. Their major clashes arose from their disparate fiscal philosophies. Ingela raised in a strict household in conservative Sweden had a problem in coping with his freewheeling spending patterns that hovered around the edge of his credit limits. Despite his fast wit, she also found that everyday communications were poor to 6: The Twins G oing in to bat it must be said that Bill who already had two children from his previous marriage, did not want more - a fact was to become very obvious in the run up to the birth. Ingela was enormous and despite speculation that she could be having twins, only had confirmation of this a week before delivery when X-rays proved that this was so. On Labor Day he drove her to the hospital, dropped her off at the front door, and made his way to San Francisco with her suitcase in the back of the car. This was to be the tenor of his attitude for the whole nativity scene. When Ingela came around after delivery, she was greeted by the frosty vision of her dreaded mother-in-law sitting at her bedside. The twins, who were born prematurely despite weighing seven pounds apiece, suffered from collapsed lungs and were on incubation. As Bill was not within contact range, she was summoned, and in a panic arranged for a priest to baptize them, thus thwarting their consignment to hell if they died. Rigid in her adherence to religious dogma, she did not care one jot for the welfare of Ingela or the boys. In naming the twins, a host of exotic Swedish names were lined up, but Dinah influenced her in the direction of practicality, and Thomas and Michael appeared on the birth certificates. The boys survived the early crisis and went on to robust health, something that Ingela, grandfather Joel Odenjung and mother Maiki was not at the christening of the twins in Sweden 1965. shared by Thomas and Michael with Ingela at Jack Ryan's tennis court in Bel Air. non-existent, and their union was now drifting perilously close to the rocks. She also sensed a lack of affection, whilst he felt that all her love and attention was being poured into the twins. In an effort to save their marriage, Bill sold their house in Hollywood Hills and bought a California styled ranch house in Northridge. In synch with this, he disposed of his retreat in 24 Palm Springs and purchased a block of single bedroom apartments there, one of which was set aside for their use. On enquiring why they could not have two of the rather small units, she was told that the plan was to leave the children in responsible care, leaving them free to enjoy weekends on their own. This proved to be the totally unacceptable to her and was the last straw in a declining relationship that spiraled into an amicable divorce. As she was ignorant in the mechanics of legal disengagement, she left the settlement in the hands of one of Bill’s lawyer friends. As a result got rather meager alimony linked to modest child support, and a very expensive lesson. With the split introducing new circumstances, they sold their house in Northridge, and Ingela bought a tiny home off Coldwater Canyon, North Hollywood. This was a good 40 minutes from Beverley Hills, and was considered to be the essence of middle class picket-fenced suburbia. Thomas and Michael 1968. In an interview, Zsa Zsa Gabor joked that she had set out to go to a hot new restaurant there, but her Rolls Royce had flatly refused to go. Although isolated, there were still a number of suitors willing to make the pilgrimage, and some sent chauffeur driven limousines. On of these was Seth Baker, deemed by Vogue magazine to be the most eligible bachelor in America. Wealthy and extremely good looking, he introduced her to the rather wild Peter Lawford set operating out of an apartment on Sunset Boulevard. She felt uncomfortable in their company, and after three or four dates, the relationship fizzled out. Bill meanwhile started dating her close friend Joan Primm whom she originally met in a confrontation after beating her in the finals of a mixed doubles tournament at the Palm Springs Racquet club. The vanquished Joan complained to the referee about her heavily pregnant opponent, claiming that this condition had caused her to ‘pull’ her game. Ingela replied that she was only four months into her term, thus flooring Ms Primm who then declared that she must be carrying twins. This turned out to be a prophetic statement, and they went on to become great pals. Joan’s father owned a chain of casinos, and was responsible for getting laws changed to allow a limited amount of gambling in Gardena, a suburb of L.A. He also had a couple of gaming operations in Nevada, and another on the Stateline. Mr. Primm eventually died during a face lift operation, which was a truly Los Angelian way to go. Joan inherited one of these properties, and after years of scratching a living, became a wealthy woman. She dated Bill for seven years, but never married him, or anyone else. In order to make ends meet, Ingela went back to photographic modeling and in the process became the poster girl for the Ralph Williams car hire franchise. This featured her face on posters, and in a wide range of magazine adverts – particularly in-flight publications. The Ralph Williams business was eventually taken over and became Dollar Rent-a Car, one of the biggest Thomas and Michael taking a bath at summerplace in Sweden 1968. automobile 25 hiring compasuggestion, nies in the she escaped USA, although the heat by Ingela doesn’t spending the claim any credit summer in for that! Sweden, where Shortly after she hired an parting from apartment in Bill, Ingela ran Varberg on the into Victor coast south of Rothschild at Gothenberg. the L.A. Tennis Comfortably Club. They had ensconced seen each other with the quite often twins, Victor’s since they divorce had all visited proceeded Acapulco to finality Ingela in front of the first of Ralph Williams Rent-a-Car at L A airport. several years without her before. He was involvement. in the process of splitting from Vera Ellen, Before returning to the USA, she received a and he invited her to have dinner with him visit from Bill who put forward an unusual that night. This was the start of a courtship proposition. Being married carried a lot that soon became serious, but was not a great of financial benefits in the form of tax concept at that time as she ran the risk of concessions, and he thought that hitching up becoming a possible co-respondent in a divorce again could be fiscally rewarding to them both. that was threatening to become messy. At Bill’s With this in mind she returned to L.A. to find that Victor had retreated from the romantic front. This was the first of a series of splits in a turbulent relationship that was to stretch over the next 4 years. The reasons behind these breaks were Victor’s obsessive jealousy and an overpowering pre-nuptial agreement that would have trussed her up tighter than a Xmas turkey in the event of a divorce. Each was obsessed with the other, however, and their passion always drove them back into the relationship, no matter how acrimonious the previous tiff had been. Because of this initial breakdown she went ahead with Bill’s proposal, and entered into a marriage of fiscal convenience - living apart sans conjugal rights. Ingela got back into the routine as a single lady and her friend Aja Jostins pressed her into attending a singles party at Conrad Hilton’s Estate in Bel Air – the first one ever in Los Angeles. Victor was out of the frame, and Ingela's advertising for Ralph Williams Rent-a-Car System 1969, which later became Dollar Rent-a-Car. was in fact a born-again bachelor sailing the 26 Mediterranean with Bill and a Swedish beauty in a chartered yacht. The party turned out to be a drag, and on loudly advising Aja that ‘this was a bunch of dummies’, she received a tap on the back, and the admonishment:” Everyone except me”. Spinning round she encountered the smiling face of Sy Weintraub, a local film producer who had made a fortune with a new Tarzan series, after everyone had thought that the franchise had run its course with Johnny Weismuller and Lex Barker. They started dating, and he joined the Coldwater Canyon run, usually arriving with a trunk full of toys, making him a great favorite with the twins. Sy’s opulent house in Bel Air displayed all the trappings of conspicuous wealth, and featured a most impressive art collection of original masterpieces. She particularly remembers an extraordinary chess featuring solid gold and silver pieces inlaid with diamonds and rubies on a marble board. Just sacrificing a pawn represented the loss of a small fortune. One of her early reservations about him was his focus on affluence and the flamboyant exhibition thereof. But he was attractive, very good company and there was nothing wrong with a bout of cosseting within her tight circumstances. He was also connected, subdued, suffering as he was from the aftershock of the vicious murder of his wife Sharon Tate by the Manson gang. The martial arts coach however was Ingela in Israel, photo taken by Sy Weitnraub extremely 1969 dressed in one of the pilot´s jacket. charming and charismatic, and had played a few parts in a few B-grade movies. His name was Bruce Lee, and he went on to become an American icon. Early in the courtship she made plans to return to Sweden for her brother Thomas’ wedding, and Sy asked to come along, intending to make this the first stop on a proposed trip to Israel. She agreed provided he stayed in a hotel as she was not ready for a deeper relationship. The occasion turned out to be a big success, and Sy charmed everyone, even dancing with her grandmother. At the wedding Sy suggested that she accompany him to Israel, and once again she agreed with the strictly enforced separate bedroom stipulation. They arrived at Ben Gurion Airport shortly after the 6 Day War, and there to greet them was none other than Moishe Dayan, the hero of that conflict. It turned out that Sy was a major fund raiser and private benefactor for the Israeli effort, and this gave him hero status amongst the governing top brass at the time. That night they had supper with Golda Meier in her kitchen, enjoying a meal that she prepared whilst in their company. This was typical of the Israeli no-nonsense style, and it is difficult to imagine a similar celebration in Ingela at Masada in Israel taken by Sy Weintraube 1969. and she remembers a dinner that he arranged in Chinatown with his Chinese karate instructor and Roman Polanski. Polanski was very 27 be the one driving it back home. This signaled his more serious intentions, a fact that was confirmed on their return to America when he presented her with a ring and a huge dilemma. She was battling to bring up the twins on a fairly tight budget, and here in the twinkling of a diamond was an immediate solution to her predicament. Problem was she was still emotionally tied to the absent Victor. Perhaps she might have heeded the advice of much married Eva Gabor, who once famously said that divorcing a man because you don’t love him, is almost as stupid as marrying one because you do! Instead she turned to Bengt Petersen, her childhood friend for guidance. Now a successful businessman running a trucking company in America, he offered the wisdom of Solomon in pointing out that she had never once mentioned how she felt about Sy in explaining her quandary. Advantages there were aplenty, but the romance factor was a bit blurred. Recognizing that her marriage of fiscal convenience to Bill was also adding to her confusion, she went ahead and arranged a second divorce from him. Ingela recalls that Sy gave her some very memorable advise from which she lived her life thereafter. Upon returning home after a party they had quarreled and she excused herself by saying that life had not been so easy for her, where he asked; “How old are you?” and she responded 23.”That means that you are an adult and what you do with your life and yourself is up to you and no excuses.” Those words she has recalled many a time. At the height of her indecision fate dealt an ace, when they attended a party given by realtor Jack Hupp and Marie Windsor, his B grade movie star wife. Amongst the guests was none other than Victor Rothschild and the omnipresent chemistry leaped across the crowded room. Asking to speak to her in a more private setting, they were interrupted by an enraged Sy Weintraub and a serious confrontation, at the end of which she was asked to choose her lift home. Victor was the victor, and he drove her home and into his life. Not wanting to risk another parting, they Ingela, Camel ridin in Jerusalem, Israel, taken by Sy Weintraub. the kitchens of Barbara Bush, Hilary Clinton or Nancy Regan. The following day Golda Meier arranged and accompanied them on a helicopter flip to the top of Masada - the enormous rock located on the edge of the Judean Desert in the Dead Sea Valley of great biblical significance. A place of gaunt and spectacular beauty, it was originally an almost impregnable fortress built by Herod in 31BC. During the Jewish Revolt 75 years later, it was captured and occupied by over a thousand rebels who chose mass suicide when Roman Governor Flavius Silva threatened to recapture the fort after a lengthy siege. To the Israelis, Masada symbolizes the determination of the Jewish people to be free in their own land. And to Ingela and Sy there could have been no more signal honor than to be taken there by Golda Meier. Finally, before leaving for London, they were received by the man regarded as being the father of the Israeli nation, David Ben Gurion. Traveling with Sy was not only at a rarified altitude, it was first class as well. In London they checked into prestigious Grosvenor House, where once again, the immense and brooding double bed was bypassed in favor of separate bedrooms. Whilst there Sy went shopping for a Rolls Royce, and he asked Ingela to choose a color, as she was likely to 28 rushed off to Las Vegas in April 1970 to tie the knot. Once again he produced the dreaded pre-nup, and she played him like a Stradivarius in agreeing to it – but stipulating that on her side of the bridge there would be no more children. Victor’s nurturing qualities kicked in and he tore up the contract. They married in a standard issue drive-through chapel, complete with plastic flowers, permanent ushers and a queue of romantic hopefuls all being fed through the marriage production line. They stopped just short of choosing an Elvis Presley impersonator to conduct the ceremony. After the Vegas marriage ceremony, Victor took Ingela to the Villa Vera resort in Acapulco which was run by his good friend, the legendary Teddy Stauffer. Otherwise known as ‘Mr. Acapulco’, it was he who had put this little Mexican town on the tourist map. Throughout the thirties he had run the most popular big band in Europe from his native Switzerland, making many forays into neighboring Germany where the winds of war were beginning to blow. In 1939, he decided to immigrate to America but with many Nazi entry stamps in his passport, was refused a visa. Moving on to Mexico, he embarked on a spectacular career in the development of restaurants, hotels and eventually the magnificent Villa Vera spread. It was Teddy who introduced the world to the cliff divers of Acapulco, when he contracted them to plunge off the impossibly high cliffs into the sea in full view of his restaurant, the celebrated La Perla. A larger than life character, he had been married to actress Hedy Lamar, and had a string of famous lovers including Rita Hayworth and Barbara Hutton. A sometime actor, he was also a close friend of Errol Flynn with whom he had a continuous rivalry in pursuing romantic exploits. Staying at the Villa Vera at the same time was John Wayne who had stepped off his yacht, the Wild Goose. Being a friend of Teddy’s he joined them for dinner, and Ingela was totally captivated by his charm. In reality, he was a big man, standing just less than 6’ 5” with a matching frame. He was also an enthusiastic raconteur who kept up a solid stream of banter laced with great humor. Like his screen image he was rough and tough, and had a penchant for poker and gambling. To this day he is still regarded as the embodiment of the American Western hero. It was also on this holiday that she was to meet Heidi Broström who went on to become a lifelong friend. She was there on honeymoon with her new husband Dan Axel, scion of one of the wealthiest families in Sweden and owners of a Swedish American Shipping Line. This friendship was to have a big impact on her life later in the story. 7: Victor V ictor’s father Alexander Rothschild was the black sheep of the British half of the famous banking dynasty. In his early twenties, he inherited a sizeable fortune and headed for the USA where he went through five marriages and sired 17 children. Victor was borne when he was 69, and he already had Victor and Ingela at there wedding in three other Las Vegas 1970. children - Harry, Jimmy and daughter Alexandra, from the same marriage. He dabbled in all sorts of commercial ventures, none of which were successful and he steadily worked his way through his inheritance. Victor’s mother died when he was 7, and his father followed at the age of 80 when he was 11, leaving Harry in charge of the family. Alexander’s money had run out by this time, and as there was no inheritance he gave up his 29 Victor and Ingela Jan. 1974 at the grand opening of Telluride. Victor and Ingela just after marriage with the twins 1970. studies at the University of Southern California, to take up a job as a truck driver in Los Angeles. During this time, there had been an oil strike in the North, and Harry managed to procure a big tract of land in Placerville. Striking pay dirt in 1935, he set up Powerine to harness his discovery of oil, and eventually became an independent gasoline supplier by building a small refinery in Santa Fe, processing some 50,000 barrels a day. He also married Josephine who acquired the dubious responsibility of raising the three younger kids. The company went from strength to strength, Ingela and Ryan 1981. All Ingela's children with her hand knitted sweaters 1975. Alana's 6th grade graduation with Ingela Elenore. 30 and as soon as his siblings were old enough, Harry got them involved in running the company. Victor with all the restlessness of youth escaped the drudge of drilling for oil by enlisting in the army, seeing service in Japan. He also became a champion boxer, which ensured that he got the best postings available. After being de-mobbed he went back to the thriving family business, and became a partner. Powerine continuedVictor and Ingela just after marraige in 1970. its growth and prosperity, as did his own career. At the age of 32, in 1954 he married Vera Ellen a dancing actress making a name for herself as a partner to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Accompanying her on a flight to London where she was to make a movie, he looked out of the window and saw a large prominent site at the end of the Pasadena freeway. This was at a time when the concept of drive through carwashes was just beginning to take off, and he figured that this would be a good locality on which to build one. On his return, he bought the property, and proceeded to develop his vision, adding a gas station to the scheme. The car wash, the biggest in the States at the time, was an instant success processing autos at the rate of 1 a minute. With the huge cash flow that followed, he set about acquiring more sites on which he built a chain of matching facilities, becoming America’s Car Wash King in the process. Another automotive development at that time was the introduction of self-service coin operated gas pumps. Figuring that this was Ryan Rothschild 1977. Alana at Christmas 1976. 31 another breaking commercial wave, he sold off all the car washes with the exception of Pasadena, and moved into the gas station business. In America at that time, gas retailing was split between the majors like Esso, and the ‘Independents’ like Powerine. Service and a credit card facility were the strong suits of the big guns, whilst the smaller operators were always on the lookout for price advantages with which to compete. The original rationale behind the coin operation was to ‘cash in on the cash’ and eliminate the service function entirely. State safety regulations thwarted this strategy to a certain extent, as there had to be a certain number of personnel on hand to counter fire risks. But the concept was a limited success, and Powerine’s distribution increased to about a hundred outlets in California, a handful of which were owned exclusively by Victor under his separate Rothschild Oil banner. Victor had married Vera Ellen - a lithe and lovely presence, at the apex of her film career. Shortly afterwards she encountered serious health problems when crippling arthritis, brought her dancing career to an end. She also battled anorexia throughout much of the late fifties, causing her to age well beyond her years. In 1963 they lost their only daughter Victoria to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and this tragic event linked to declining health turned her into a virtual recluse. This then was the backdrop leading up to his meeting with Ingela at the Los Angeles Tennis Club at the start of their relationship. Victor and Ingela in Acapulco 1969. Notice in LA Herald-Examiner 1971. Victor and Ingela at Hutner's party 1976. Victor, Ingela, Clown and Sandy and Larry Bosley 1977. Stig and Maiki Lindahl and Ingela 1974. 32 Herb and Julie Hutner at Ingela´s Crayfish party 1977. Joyce and Richard Ralph on Ingea's Crayfish party 1977. Party at the Rothschilds home 1977. Peter and Harry Jr. Rothschild, Victor's nephews 1977. 33 Ingela and Victor at Hugh Hefners party for Les Dames 1979. Cousin Camilla Odenjung and Alana, midsummer in Dalarna, Sweden. Ingrid (Goude) with son Mark 1978, 34 The whole family Rothschild on a skiing expedition 1975. Harry Sr. and Victor Rothschild 1979. The whole family Christmas 1979 The whole family in Sweden, summer 1978. 35 Clifford Heinz and Ingela 1981. Alana with Ingela flyfishing in Sun Valley 1982. Buddy Epsen, Ingela, Victor and Anette Fabrey 1982 . Emily and Andy Westhem 1976. Juli Hutner's Party 1979. 36 "The Southerly". Fritz and Ingrid (Goude) Ingram´s honeymooncruice with the Swedish Maffia; Barry and Barbro Taper, Majliss Rotschild with friend, Ingela and Victor Rotschild, Ingrid and Fritz,, Andra and Philip Stein. Ingela with all the crew on board. Ingrid and Fritz Ingram 1980. 37 Alana in Volvo Advert, sitting on rock with hands on her knees. 38 Preforming a Swedish Lucia parade at the Los Angeles Music Center Christmas 1978. Front row; second from left Ingela, Barbro Heinz, Lucia Hillevi (Rombin) Schine, Margit Bennett, Britt (Larsson) Marin. Back row; Barbro Taper, Ylva Jackell, Ingrid (Goude) Ingram, Camilla Sparv, Majliss Rothschild (marrid to Victor's newphew), Maud Carlsrtom and Karen von Unge. Ted and Pauline Naftzger 1980. Ingela, Julie and Herb Hutner 1982 . Ingela with Paul Marsh and Joyce Ralphs. 39 Party held in Jack Kramers house, article from Club & Sports . Maiki, Ingela and Hillevi (Rombin) Schine 1983. Article in The Racquet Club Magazine written by Gloria Greer. 40 making their marriage a real partnership. Demonstrably affectionate, he also adored the twins, treating them as his own sons. Being less of a party animal than Bill, he ushered in a new social phase that focused on a wide circle of influential friends, many of them introduced by Andrew and Emily Westhem living just down the road. They still ran into the old crowd at the tennis clubs in Palm Springs, and L.A., but the high profile party activity tailed off, as did contact with Dinah Shore and Janet Leigh. Emily Westhem also persuaded her to join ‘Mannequins of the Assistance League’, a charity organization whose models donated their services to various worthy causes. Here she made many new friends like Pat Moller, Sharon Hill and Kee Flynn - all veteran models strutting their stuff for the underprivileged. Most significantly, amidst all the joy and excitement of their new marriage, Alana was born on 31st March 1971. Being a 8: Hancock Park I nitially Ingela and Victor lived in her North Hollywood home for only a few months, before she sold it at a nice profit, and they jointly purchased a house in Beverley Hills. June Street House, courtyard 1965. Enlisting the aid of Barbara Lockhart, the top Hollywood designer at the time, she completely renovated the property which ushered in good times, and an extremely happy period. Victor included her in every aspect of his life including business decisions, June Street House, interior 1965. really good natured child she was much easier to bring up than the energetic twin double header had been. After a couple of years Ingela got sand in her shell again and set about seeking a new home in nearby Pasadena. This yielded nothing, and her search moved to Hancock Park where she fell instantly in love with a double storied French-Normandy house on a half June Street House, Saloon interior 1965. 41 acre plot. Built in 1921, it was in its original was to have a profound influence on Ingela’s condition and presented a whole new challenge philosophy. He was the CEO of the retail chain to Ingela the compulsive renovator. The founded by his grandfather, and despite great wiring and plumbing had to be replaced, and wealth lived an unpretentious life with great gradually her natural flair kicked in resulting in emphasis on family life. All their activities from an exquisite home skiing to weekends of immense charm. away were occasions It also set off a that reinforced perennial quest for their unity. The antiques, collectibles children were never and art works that pampered and had matched her grand to scrimp and save vision. One of the to earn their first quirkier features cars – this despite in the bathroom the fact that Richard was a signature by had enjoyed a spoilt Winston Churchill existence as a youth. in thick black ink. Most of all they He had apparently showered the kids squatted there with affection. sometime during a Further down the visit to L.A. in the road lived Hillevi distant past. So the (nee Rombin), and WC emblazoned G David Schine. She on the door, could had been a Swedish equally have signified Miss Universe, and his initials! he had been one of Family Rothschild Christmas Card 1976. In 1973, a whirlSenator McCarthy’s wind came into their lives in the form of Ryan goons in the Communist witch-hunt of Rothschild, a hyperactive and particularly the fifties. Possessed of a pale cadaverous demanding child. He was sent off to his appearance and matching limp handshake, bedroom so often that eventually all it took was the Rothschilds never liked him but were very an annoyed expression and a raised finger to fond of her. They also had six kids, including send him scuttling off to solitary confinement. twins that were ideal playmates for Thomas and This early display of spirit would later mutate Michael. into a fortitude that Larry and Sandy would serve him well Bosley had recently in the business world. moved back to The early days in L.A. after a stint Hancock Park were in Spain. He was a blissful times for the dermatologist and Rothschilds, and they pioneer of hair developed a circle of transplant procedures friends that became who was successful the hub of their social in getting Californian life. One couple in laws changed to allow particular, Richard medical practitioners and Joyce Ralph, to advertise. And Sandy and Larry Bosley with Sandy´s mother at June Str. Bar. 42 Rounding off the nucleus of their social life were Gigi Elder, Andra Stein, Marilyn Mitchell, Barbro Taper and former Miss Sweden Ingrid Orbach (nee Goude)- all great ladies that she met through tennis who became lifelong friends. The group played, partied and went on holidays together, with skiing trips to Aspen, Sun Valley and frequent visits to Puerto Vallarta, the Mexican coastal resort town. One Article in Larchmont Chronicle 1978. people’. In his enthusiasm he piloted his own craft - containing his wife Andra and their twin boys - onto a submerged rock where it collapsed like a deck of cards. His nautical skills The Rothschild June Street home 1977. notable outing centered around a houseboat vacation on Lake Powell in the Grand Canyon. Their good friend Philip Stein, a property magnate, assumed the leadership of the ‘boat Ingela, Victor, Lilian Jyllbrink mother Maiki an Husband Stig. must have improved considerably, as he now skippers his own 100 foot yacht! Eventually the Orbachs divorced, and Ingrid went on to marry Fritz Ingram, an oil baron with houses all over the world. After a lavish reception, the group boarded his 140 foot yacht and went on honeymoon with the newly weds. No need to break up a good party just because the hosts got married that afternoon! The Rothschilds were industrial strength entertainers, and Ingela became an accomplished hostess, catering for their wide and divergent circle of friends. They even Lake powell Houseboat tripp. 1976. 43 Barbro Taper with son Brian 19 One of the guests that day was a stunning but seriously depressed blonde, whose husband, a movie producer had recently got involved with Mary Collins, a 16-year old Californian girl he had cast in his latest film. The woman was Linda Evans, the husband was John Derek and Mary Collins went on to become Bo Derek. He divorced Linda and married Bo shortly afterwards. 9: Bumps in the Road Sonance Lunch at Ingela's House 1984. organized a 50th birthday extravaganza for ‘Hair Apparent’ Larry Bosley. Shortly after they moved into their Hancock Park address, the Rothschilds bought a condo in a gated estate in Palm Springs, thereby renewing their links with the past. This set off a whole new round of socializing and the Bosleys also bought a unit in the complex after spending a weekend with them. In addition to Palm Springs they also spent a lot of time vacationing, with many jaunts to Hawaii where Powerine had a holiday house. Here they used to play tennis at the Kaiser Estate, which had been bought by the wealthy Goldman bachelor brothers. Their father Sylvan Goldman invented shopping trolleys way back in 1936, thereby seeding the fortune that found them enjoying a match on the manor court on a summer’s afternoon. T he shy insecure girl who arrived in Palm Springs at the age of 17 was a far cry from the competent housewife and mother running the household she had set up in Hancock Park. The twins were an unrelenting handful, and she was continually surprised by the way in which they switched leadership roles within their relationship. For a while, Thomas would be dominant, followed by a stretch when Michael would assert himself. They also became interdependent to an unusually high degree, and her best friend Marylyn Mitchell once remarked that you could give them a single tennis racquet, bicycle or skateboard, and there would never be an argument - a situation that still exists today. Endearing as this was at the time, Ingela feels that their communal attitude stopped them 44 from developing a sense of ownership. As a result they were unconcerned when things got lost, and they never had the need for anything outside their common pool of possessions. Totally self sufficient within their partnership, they did not have the need for the stimulation of too many external relationships, although they were both very popular. Psychiatrists often link ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) to hyperactivity, and the twins who lived life in a state of perpetual motion certainly showed signs of this. Being really mischievous they also got into lots of trouble, giving Victor who was only their step father, quite an anxious time. As children, their personalities were very similar, but in their teens, Thomas became more serious and focused academically, whist Michael developed a more casual and freewheeling attitude. Alana on the other hand, progressed at her own placid pace. As a baby she could be kept amused for hours with an old shoe, and her undemanding nature extended into advancing childhood. One exception to this was at the girls-only Marlboro school in her first year, when she found herself in the top academic class. Battling to keep up, the Rothschilds, had her tested and were advised that she was very intelligent. Determination, her other great characteristic kicked in, and she went on to become a grade A student. Will power aside, she continued to live life with a laid back attitude. Her frustrated female tennis coach asked Ingela how she could push Alana’s natural ability onto the winner’s rostrum. She was at a loss for an answer, as she was hoping that the trainer would come up with the formula herself! A parallel coincidence occurred at school, when she was chosen with a group of her classmates to feature in a Volvo advertisement – around about the same age that Ingela had been when she modeled for the same brand in Sweden all those years ago. Ryan moved on from his tempestuous introduction to the world, but always marched fiercely to the beat of his own drum. He showed no interest in following his gifted siblings onto the tennis court, and because of the big age gap with the twins, had little interaction with them. He was also at the back of the queue when it came to attention – Alana being the only girl and the twins a real handful. This left him with a sink or swim option, and in choosing survival, developed a confrontational attitude, particularly in dealings with his mother. He was also blessed, or cursed with strong opinions, which he freely expressed. Unlike his brothers, he had an acute sense of ownership about his belongings, and the middle of one dark and stormy night found him drying his bicycle in the kitchen. Perhaps Ryan’s obstinate individuality is best illustrated by an incident during his early teens when the Rothschilds were moving towards a divorce. Ingela wanted to enroll him in Harvard High School. For reasons best known to him, he wanted to go to Loyola, a Catholic School, instead. This resulted in a standoff in which Ryan procured the necessary application forms, filled them in and got a letter of recommendation from Alana’s beau who was a star basketball player at the school. Under the religious denomination query, he wrote ‘undecided’, and signed the forms on his mother’s behalf. The headmaster must have recognized something in all of this because he was accepted, despite the requirements of an induction system that leaned heavily on testimonials and determined lobbying. Ingela’s divorce proceedings coincided with that time when teenagers tend to become rebellious anyway, so she suffered an extra strong dose of censure and condemnation from Ryan. In reality, he was actually the most like her, a fact that earned him the nick name Mini Me from his siblings. Although Victor really loved his kids, he was into his fifties when Alana was born, and this left him stranded when it came to understanding the requirements of fatherhood. There were never any ball games or any paternal interaction, and he left the raising of the children to Ingela even communicating with them through her. This made her the main target for criticism and censure - Ryan by direct confrontation, and Thomas by innuendo and the odd letter. 45 When the twins reached their teens, their ill disciplined agitation increased. They often ‘borrowed’ their parent’s cars, and indulged in other similar misdemeanors to the great annoyance of Victor. Some unspecified naughtiness eventually caused Ingela to transfer them to Daniel Murphy High, a Catholic School where she hoped that some divine intervention would overlook the fact that their religious denomination was more an accident of birth, than a serious calling. Thomas became hypersensitive and resentful, blaming his parents for anything that went wrong, and the twins relationship with their step-father became really strained. Eventually, in conference with her former husband and Marlena, his wife at the time, she asked Bill to Ingela with Bill Anstead. take Thomas for a while. Responding to this Marlena threatened to leave their home if this happened. Bill told her to start packing because his son was moving in with him. Marlena stormed out, signaling the start of a collapse in that marriage, and the troubled teen relocated to his father’s home with Michael following a year later. This turned out to be a very good move for Thomas, as Bill’s influence fostered an interest in law that eventually guided him into a successful legal career. When Thomas moved out, he was sent to the Costa Mesa High. Michael was enrolled at Pilgrim where he became the quarterback for the school’s football team. They played in the lower end of the league that included several reformatories, and one match in particular caused Ingela, great anxiety. The ‘Pilgrims’ comprised of mostly Japanese and Chinese students who were all short in stature and ill-equipped to defend their unfortunate quarterback against the hulking delinquents. She was a veritable lioness on the sidelines as she watched Michael get a terrible beating getting his helmet ripped off in the process. Against all odds and common sense, Pilgrim won, and Ingela had to sprint with the team for the safety of the bus. So losing a game, as well as discretion, may just be the better part of valor! Ingela, had by now developed recognition by modeling for charity with the ‘‘Mannequins of the Assistance League’, and was invited to a ceremony at Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, where she was to be inducted into Les Dames. This was a prestigious fund raising organization with a very high societal profile. It was a black tie affair with nary a bob-tailed Bunny in sight. Hutch keeper Hugh was the essence of charm, even venturing that he wished that they had met 15 years before – confirming the well known fact that his cut-off age is somewhere in the twenties! It was here that she also met Jack Simon, a charismatic businessman who had recently sold his windscreen business to a South African concern. More about him a few pages on where he has a small walk-on part in this story As so often happens, a major downturn in a business often spills over and upsets the stability of a marriage. This in part is what transpired with the Rothschilds. Sometime in the early eighties, Arco, one of the major gasoline suppliers decided to challenge the 46 ‘Independents’ like Powerine who had made big inroads into their market. To do this they embarked on an exercise that enabled them to introduce a price structure that would ultimately cripple the smaller producers. For starters, they installed a pipeline to convey crude oil directly from the drilling fields in Alaska, thereby reducing the cost of tanker delivery whilst enjoying a sales tax benefit that was ultimately Hillevi Schine, Jack Simon and Ingela. overturned by a legal challenge. They also went on to the same ‘Cash Only’ basis that had previously given the ‘Independents’ an edge. Some time before all of this Powerine had developed a wildly speculative second refinery that was built following a highly contentious decision. This now became a heavy burden as demand dropped due to the price war, and pushed the company further into the red. To compound the decline, there was a major slump in the gasoline industry in 1983 and ’84 that affected everyone and drove Powerine to desperation. These events affected Victor dramatically, and he spent long periods of time away from the office. Ingela realizing that he was facing a massive crisis stepped in and did her best to restrict the damage. She moved the Rothschild Oil office into a large reception room on the 3rd floor of the house, to reduce costs. From here she spent two years dismantling the dud service stations, and grappling with an ever decreasing cash flow. Eventually in 1986, Powerine filed for bankruptcy, a fate that might have been avoided if they hadn’t built the second refinery. Rothschild oil, which was a separate company, was simply wound down. With Victor’s psychological decline, there were other factors that kicked in to affect their relationship. With diminishing confidence, his ever present streak of jealousy got a lot worse, and was not helped by the fact that their 20 year age gap started to increase his insecurity. He was getting older in synch with his advancing age, whilst she was still quite young and very attractive. When they started out, he was a much better tennis player, but her natural athletic ability linked to youth eventually overhauled him adding further to the erosion of his self esteem. The relationship deteriorated to such an extent that in 1984 they came to a mutual decision to file for a divorce. Victor moved out and Ingela stayed in the house with the kids. For a brief period the following year, she returned to the life of a single lady, and dated Jack Simon whom she had met at the Hefner/ Les Dames inauguration. The relationship was hampered by the fact that she was not yet divorced, and a serious involvement could have had legal implications. Progress was further curtailed by a decision to have one last attempt at reconciliation, this time under the guidance of a marriage counselor. This too ended in failure, and in 1986 they finally decided to call it quits. In parting, Victor remarked that the divorce would make Ingela a very rich woman - a statement that was in sharp contrast to his perennial plea of impending poverty! Their parting was amicable, and they decided to proceed without the involvement of lawyers in splitting their estate. Apart from their house, 47 the Rothschild Oil assets that they managed to salvage from the wreckage were a large gas station site on world famous Sunset Boulevard, and three others in Pasadena. The latter were sold off and the proceeds shared, whilst the Sunset Boulevard property became their joint asset in the divorce settlement. This was then leased to a developer who converted it into a strip mall. With time this has become extremely valuable, and they now both enjoy the fruits of a 99-year lease linked to the inflation index. And the bond of affection that still existed when they separated, endures to this day man involved in the search for the contact lens was his brother Clarence, a bachelor of some standing. The party meanwhile progressed, and in a surprisingly short time, the fleet footed Kenneth Keiller somehow managed to orchestrate a speedy return to his place at the table. Recovering from the shock revelation and surprised by his sudden reappearance, Ingela’s equilibrium soon returned and they reengaged in a deep conversation that lasted until 3 am. The next day, when Kenneth pitched up on her doorstep with flowers and a box of 10: A return to (SW)EDEN O n leaving Victor, Ingela returned to Sweden with the children. Here she had inherited a house from her paternal grandmother in the village of Vallda Sandö south of Gothenburg. Soon after her arrival, she was invited to a dinner party by her good friend Heidi Broström who lived in nearby Särö – a popular coastal resort. With great reluctance she accepted, and it turned out to be an event that would change her life. Arriving in her newly acquired Volvo station wagon, she parked next to a party of three who had alighted from a blue Saab. The tall figure striding ahead of this group caught her attention, as the other two rummaged around their car looking for a lost contact lens. She assumed this to be the bachelor that Heidi had mentioned, and was surprised and delighted to be seated next to him at the dinner table. There was instantaneous combustion and a palpable two-way attraction that increased as the dinner progressed. It came as a lightening bolt when Kenneth Keiller, for that was his name, announced that it was time to take his wife Vici home! It only then became clear that the Ingela and Kenneth, Christmas 1986. chocolates, she realized that this could be the beginning of something a whole lot more than a stimulating dinner date. He later admitted that he had immediately recognized in her, the potential for a relationship which could replace a marriage that had floundered onto the rocks. Consequently, he threw all caution to the winds and vigorously pursued his new direction. Following on from the exhilaration of the Heidi Broström event, Kenneth orchestrated a dinner party at his home, to which Ingela was invited. He was also widely connected in Särö with its closely knit community, and was therefore able to ensure that she was also invited to many of the social events held every summer. This gave him the opportunity of building a relationship by progressive degrees, and Ingela found herself being invited to all sorts of occasions by people that she hadn’t ever met. Towards the end of every summer, the Särö Sailing Club had a floating party on a flotilla of the boats belonging to its members. On that occasion, feelings on both sides 48 Kenneth, Hans Fitz, Lars Arlycke and Ingela with Heidi in front 1986. progressed to the point where they both felt assured that there was definitely a future in the relationship. Actual confirmation of this came from Ingela, when she phoned him from the Blomstermåla restaurant to suggest a rendezvous on his boat moored at a nearby jetty. Once more he slipped under the radar and rushed to a midnight tryst where plans for a total commitment were consummated. Kenneth’s next problem was to pave the way towards a normal relationship, and to enjoy Ingela in Smögen 1987. time alone with her in testing the feelings that had overwhelmed Ingela on board our Nimbus 4000 1987. 49 them so dramatically in such a short space of time. For this there was no better option than to take her back to Soleil D’or - his exotic estate in the Seychelles from whence he had come for his annual holiday in Särö. Vici Keiller at that stage was due to return to their home in Cape Town. He set about arranging Ingela’s visit, and in doing so, exposed the whole affair when his wife overheard him making travel arrangements on the telephone. This was an unfortunate way in which to bring things to a head, and could be the subject of much criticism. But in these matters there are no Queensbury rules, and it must be remembered that there were serious fault lines in Kenneth’s marriage even before he arrived in Särö. Rather than being the cause of the breakup, she was in fact the catalyst, and Vici went on to a happier marriage with someone much more in tune with her needs. kids wanted to be firemen or engine drivers, Kenneth only dreamed of being a serge suited businessman. His entrepreneurial flair surfaced early in the playground of his school, where he set up marble pitching franchises for soldiers that he smelted down from lead road signs. In 1946, Sweden introduced a punitive wealth tax, and this served to stir up Ingrid’s enneth was born in Stockholm on the restlessness, which was never too far from the th 27 Dec 1932 to a mother who was 37, and a surface. She booked a first class cabin on a father of 62. His brother Clarence had been Swedish American cruise ship, and set sail for sent to boarding school, and much of his early New York with her boys. This was the first stop childhood was spent under the supervision in a series of destinations, all of which failed in of a nurse. His one way or another to mother Ingrid satisfy an unspecified was a complicated list of requirements. eccentric woman, From New York, obsessively they went to compulsive in Connecticut, where matters hygienic, and she decided that the acutely aware of her New World was not position in Swedish for her, and took off society, being as for South America. she was a member The first stop here of the prominent was a cottage on the Hammarberg family. beach at Ipanema She was also quite where a couple of wealthy, her father cockroaches breached Ingela and Kenneth on Schneider's Boat in LA 1987. having been a her heavily fortified successful businessman pest control system, married to a woman from a prominent Scottish causing her to flee south with her boys to Family. Kenneth also had further ties with Santos, a coastal coffee centre. Here they lived Scotland, as his great grandfather was an in a casino that had fallen into disuse due to a aristocrat there, before immigrating to Sweden ban on gambling, but the lack of savoir faire where he founded a large shipyard. drove her to Buenos Aires – her last destination Every summer they migrated to their holiday before declaring the Americas, North and home in Särö where the boys developed South, to be unfit for human habitation. a passion for the sea and became adept at Back in Sweden, Ingrid Keiller’s restlessness handling their father’s sailing boat. They had returned when a good friend told her he was close links with Swedish Royalty, and each year moving to Cape Town. Centuries before Sir King Gustav V, the eighty year old monarch Francis Drake, famed explorer and frustrated would spend a couple of weeks at their Uncle copywriter described it as the ‘Fairest Cape James Keiller’s home in that resort. in all the world’, and that was enough to send Kenneth’s father died when he was eight, her off to the booking office. She bought a leaving much of his early character formation house, and they all lived together with young in Ingrid’s hands. With older brother Clarence Kenneth finding employment as a ledger clerk away at boarding school, there was little at Syfrets Trust, an asset management company. male influence, and in the days when most From here he progressed (or regressed) to 11: Kenneth K 50 becoming an apprentice motor mechanic Union Dies meanwhile gave all the outward fixing ailing Austins in the workshop of an signs of a highly successful company, so automobile franchise. Early on in his career, it came as a surprise when Karl Kreuger he and Clarence were persuaded to buy into disappeared with his best friend’s wife. The a partnership at Union Dies and Tools - a company as it turned out was bankrupt, and all fledgling plastic and die manufacturing concern. its funds disappeared along with the missing In order to acquire a 48% shareholding in the founder. The Keiller family had been swindled business, they each invested their inheritance out of their entire fortune. from their late In order to father’s estate. raise extra money Kenneth was to in tough financial be trained as a times, Kenneth toolmaker, and got together every Clarence was night in a small to manage the workshop to make administration side coin operated of the business. soccer tables. Their partner These were a and mentor, Karl craze in the sixties, Kreuger was and the company possessed of did so well, that darkly Messianic they resigned qualities, and their day jobs in Ryan and friend JayJay in Sweden on Harry Keiller's boat 1989. exploited them order to develop ruthlessly, but the business did well and grew the business. Eventually they installed PVC at an astonishing rate. In order to keep up injection molding machines, and started making with the rapidly expanding company, they plastic components. This side of the business persuaded Ingrid to invest her entire fortune did well, and evolved to the point when they in the thriving concern. Kreuger turned out to introduced blow molding equipment with be a good businessman, also giving Kenneth an which to manufacture polythene bottles. The excellent grounding in toolmaking and factory packaging side of the business was called management whilst keeping the boys on a very Xactics, and the strength of this group was an tight leash. They were desperately tough days, amazing level of loyalty and an adventurous and it was at the height of his adversity that he spirit linked to a keenness to experiment. met and fell in love with Vici Bindon, a young The concept of glass clear PVC bottles was very beautiful teenager from Rhodesia. She was in its infancy at that time, and they invested incredibly supportive, even to the extent of money in the necessary machinery and selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door despite enormous effort in experimentation. This in an introverted nature. Things went from bad turn led to a gigantic breakthrough when they to worse at Union, and Kenneth was eventually managed to convert the packaging of edible squeezed out of the business. He ceded his oil from traditional glass into the Xactics PVC shares to his brother, and took up employment alternative. In the process, they also took on as a toolmaker at an engine reconditioning and board the progressive buyer at Cape Oil who de-rusting company that also manufactured orchestrated the switch. He turned out to be steering wheels and number plates. Somewhere a brilliant businessman and became a valuable in the middle of all of this, Kenneth married fifth member of the team. Vici, and they even bought a house and started The switch from glass to clear plastic a family. bottles in the edible oil industry signaled 51 the start of a huge wave as other industries made the conversion, and they were in pole position to milk it for all its worth. They also embarked on a series of daring takeovers, and commercial exploits that were the stuff of business school MBA legend., growing in a short space of time into the biggest converter of PVC polymer in South Africa. Included in their rise to commercial prominence, were inroads into other forms of manufacturing, such as cardboard packaging, bag-in-the-box wine sachets, plastic closures and a range of carbonated soft drinks packed in a revolutionary new type of extra strong bi-axially orientated PVC bottles. In all fields they were at the cutting edge of any new developments. As they progressed, they also purchased the premises from which they operated, and at their zenith they had huge factories in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Further to this they also embarked on a very successful property development program, building several spectacular apartment and office blocks. With his new found wealth, Kenneth tapped into his natural design flair by building a spectacular house, and then later a penthouse - both of which were featured in the architectural magazines of the day. But pride of place went to the acquisition of a Soleil D’or, a magnificent beach estate in the Seychelles. Built on a promontory into the sea it had a beautifully landscaped garden stretching over three acres, featuring a striking display of plants, palms and a random selection of massive granite boulders – some as big as oil rigs. It also had its own pristine stretch of beach giving instant access to an extraordinary coral reef and an ongoing procession of exotic marine life. This property became Kenneth’s pride and joy. Ironically, although Kenneth’s marriage to Vici survived and even thrived during the hard times, it began to unravel once the money came rolling in. He was an extrovert’s extrovert, who threw himself wholeheartedly into the realms of hedonism, with endless rounds on entertainment and daily squash matches on his private squash court. Vici with her more introverted nature withdrew from the social glare, finding it rather a strain. She found comfort in a regimen of dancing, yoga and writing as she gravitated towards the more creative and spiritual elements of life. Their joint efforts in surviving the hard times papered over the fault lines in their relationship, and these came to the surface with their newly acquired affluence. Eventually Xactics went public, and the partners relinquished their holdings through a heavily oversubscribed share issue. They were just beginning to enjoy the fruits of their prosperity, when a dark cloud emerged. A disgruntled ex-employee found a scrap of paper suggesting that one of the directors was in the possession of undisclosed foreign currency, and he reported this to the Reserve Bank. This was at the height of the apartheid era, with a government desperately trying to stem the tide of funds flowing out of the country, so currency irregularities were regarded in a very serious light. Kenneth was enjoying life at his estate in the Seychelles at the time, and although he wasn’t the director involved in the alleged transgression, decided to sit things out until the whole episode blew over. This saga was sorted out eventually, but not before he spent six months in self imposed exile. During this time, he missed his beloved daughter’s wedding, and endured long days of loneliness with the only contact with Vici being via the telephone. It was against this backdrop that he proceeded to Särö with a crumbling marriage and the promise of a new chapter of life with Ingela. 12: The Seychelles W ith plans for the Seychelles completed, Ingela went back to the States for a few weeks 52 to sort out matters there, before returning to Särö where Stig, her desperately ill step-father was clinging to life. From there she flew to Mahe, the capital of the Seychelles - and a reunion with Kenneth. The Seychelles are known as the Íslands of Love’, even to the extent of growing a whimsical coconut called a coco de mer, Evening at Solel D'or 1987. unimpressed by the passing show. And in a rocky outcrop at the water’s edge, a seductive grotto beckoned at low tide. In this sunkissed Kingdom of Eros, they laughed, loved, snorkeled, swam and had more fun than kids in a water park. One of the advantages of love in the middle ages is that people don’t get entirely swept away by the heady first bloom of romance. Ingela and Kenneth were too well experienced to fall into the trap of ignoring the future in the exhilaration of their romantic Nirvana. Down to the minutest they plotted and planned their future. Each got to know the other’s financial situation, and lines of fiscal responsibility were drawn up. They also acknowledged that they would have to splash down into reality at the end of this unrealistically romantic interlude. This would mean a lengthy trial period of life for Kenneth living in Ingela’s world back in L.A. So with high hopes for the future, she returned to Sweden, and he started packing Soleil D'or in the Seyshelles 1986. suggestively shaped like a woman’s torso. And Soleil D’or was Kenneth’s own little piece of paradise, combining spectacular architecture, with romantic landscaping. In the sea fronting a broad sweep of golden sands was an ongoing marine Mardi Gras, featuring creatures of every shape, size, and color, against a psychedelic backdrop of coral formations. Neon yellows, Kenneth and Ingela in the Seychelles 1986. blues, stripes, and every color in the spectrum formed a surreal kaleidoscope, as frilly lion fish dressed as flappers from the roaring twenties continually swam past elongated flute fish on their way to rehearsals. Every now and then a bored loggerhead turtle paddled by, seemingly Fabrice Delournay and wife Ingrid (today Ingrid Bettancourt), Clarence, Marnie and Jonathan Searles with Ingela in the middle. 53 mother. Bill Hays was friendly from the outset, but Victor took a while to thaw - but they are now all the best of pals. His biggest struggle was a cultural one. Being a South African out of Europe he didn’t fully understand the extended palms-for-alms American tipping tradition. Ingela was acutely embarrassed on occasions when he offered a handshake in lieu of dollars to car valet attendants, waiters etc. The language too, had him stymied for a while, and it took some time before he realized that cars had ‘trunks’ instead of ‘boots’, there were no ‘lifts’ but plenty of ‘elevators’, and that giving someone a tinkle did not mean a phone call, but was language reserved for the cloakroom. One of his major adjustments was moving from the highly personalized level of attention he used to get from Vici, to the self-service doctrine practiced by Ingela and her fellow Americans. One morning his breakfast went quite cold, as there was no distribution structure in place to deliver it from the stove where it was cooked, to the table where he waited in regal anticipation. Gradually he overcame these differences and slipped easily into the American lifestyle. During his first visit he helped Ingela and the children move into an apartment in the El Royale, a beautiful old building built in 1890. It reflected the elegance of a bygone age, and featured marble floors with high ceilings. The house she had shared with Victor had been sold, and he had purchased a residence in Hollywood Hills. In sweeping out the old life, and ushering in the new, she loaded a series of dumpsters every evening with all the brica-brac she considered to be superfluous – ski gear, sporting equipment, old clothing and even five fur coats. By each morning the oddments had disappeared as word of this windfall had spread amongst the maids throughout the neighborhood, and at least four loads were disposed of in this manner. This upset Kenneth, a compulsive hoarder, who joined the free-for-all in retrieving a collection of books, some of which were first editions, and many were Swedish heirlooms. The woman Kenneth´s catamaran Carte Blanche, Seyshelles 1986. Ingela and David Keiller on Kenneth's catamaran 1986. for California. Back in Särö, Ingela’s stepfather took a turn for the worse and died shortly after her return. She was grateful to be there to comfort her mother, but eventually had to return to California and new beginnings. 13: Beginnings K enneth and Ingela started a shuttle between L.A. and the Seychelles in the lengthy process of getting to know each other. His first introduction to life in California lasted a few weeks, and was a bumpy ride. He was warmly welcomed by all of Ingela’s friends, and most of her family - the notable exception being Ryan, her youngest son. He was very territorial, but always unfailingly polite to Kenneth, concentrating his conscientious objection at his 54 who bought the house also purchased the furnishings, including a crockery set that matched the wallpaper. There followed a spat with Ingela developing into a full-scale lover’s tiff, a decision to split and the storming of Kenneth to his retreat in the Seychelles. That as far as he was concerned, was the end of the story. Fortunately for both of them, Marilyn Mitchell and company were made of sterner stuff and refused to cancel. And so a chastened K.K. found himself reunited with Ingela at the Nairobi Hilton, where all the old feelings came flooding back. The tour then progressed as though nothing had happened, through some of the most exciting wild life destinations in the world. First stop on their safari was the Masai Mara game reserve where they arrived in time to witness one of the nature’s most spectacular wilderness events that reaches Kenya every year in September. This is the animal migration Marylin, Dick Burdge, Ingela, Kenneth, Marylin Mitchell and Spinner. At the height of his new found novelty status, a group of Ingela’s friends decided on an African Safari, followed by a visit to Kenneth’s tropical spread in the Seychelles. With great enthusiasm, plans were hatched, and bookings made for an all-inclusive tour a few months down the line. The initial destination would be the famous game reserves of Kenya, and those who signed up were Marilyn Mitchell, the Dennises - Spencer and Joyce, and Dick Burdge with his wife Marilyn. About three weeks into his new life, Kenneth had a panic attack centered on the enormous implications of his translocation and the culture gap. Joyce and Spencer Dennis on Safari in Kenya 1986. from Serengeti in Tanzania as 1.5 million wildebeest, and 200,000 zebra embark on an ongoing 1,800 mile circuit in search of rain nourished grass. Life for these animals is an endless pilgrimage as they move in synch with the varying seasons that offer the sweet grasses that they seek at different times of the year. During their relentless march, they are constantly stalked by the great predators, and the climax for sheer spectacle is the crossing of the Mara River. Lying in wait with malice aforethought are two dozen of the biggest crocodiles in Africa, who well understand this routine, as do the animals that have to get across Marylin and Dick Burdge on Safari in Kenya 1986. 55 and continue their an excruciating journey. In a tightly spasm. It was so huddled frenzy, bad that the party the wildebeest and stopped at a hotel, zebra crash across where a doctor the churning waters administered an as the huge reptiles injection. This close in and pick was of little avail, off some of the and she was flown unfortunate beasts to a hospital in at will. In the melee Kenneth and Ingela on Safari 1987. Nairobi for more some animals break professional a leg, or are simple crushed in the scramble. treatment, accompanied by Kenneth who The banks meanwhile bear testimony to the abandoned the rest of the trip to be by her carnage, and are littered with bones, hides, side. The rest of the group continued with their skulls and the excrement of hundreds of safari. vultures who look on approvingly. Shortly after her arrival, the American From the drama on the Mara, the group woman who had founded and ran the free moved on to the Amboseli game reserve aircraft evacuation service, paid her a visit. She nestling at the foot of majestic Mount remarked on Ingela’s unusual name, saying Kilimanjaro. This snow capped peak is the that she had once known an Ingela Hays back highest in Africa, and forms a striking backdrop home in California. Bad back and all, this to the sweeping plains nearly knocked her and the ongoing over with a feather, and procession of animals. she asked the woman This is an elephant what her name was. She stronghold and is happened to be none also the home of the other than Maddy De renowned research Mont, who made a brief centre run by Cynthia appearance in chapter 5 Moss, who is to as one of the party that Jumbos, what Dianne traveled to Wimbledon Fosse was to gorillas for the All England and Jane Goodall to Tennis Championships chimpanzees. as a partner to Hugh The whole gang on safari in Kenya 1986. Next stop on their Stewart. It turned out dance cards was to be that she simply didn’t the famous Tree Tops Hotel, a hostelry built return to America after the tournament, into the branches of an enormous wild fig. This traveling to Kenya instead. She had been born eccentric lodge achieved immortal fame when into the wealthy Astor family, and decided a young English woman climbed up into its to use her inheritance in the founding of boughs one evening in 1952, and came down the altruistic air borne casualty evacuation as Queen Elizabeth II the next morning, when service. The next day Maddy returned with a her father King George VI died at Buckingham photographic album featuring many pictures of Palace during that night. The trip in rather Ingela playing tennis at the family’s estate. spring challenged mini buses traveling over Attending to Ingela in the Nairobi hospital badly rutted roads proved to be arduous, and a was an Indian doctor who was a dead ringer particularly serious jolt sent Ingela’s back into for Peter Sellers. He was desperately keen to 56 operate on her spine, setting off a deep seated panic attack. Here she was lying in a 3rd world hospital with a doctor who looked and spoke like the one in the iconic film starring Sophia Loren. In a state of terror she managed to track down and seek the advice of Larry Bosley, her plastic surgeon friend who was passing through Orley Airport at the time. He told her to get out of Nairobi, even if it meant dragging an iron lung behind her. Well Goodness Gracious Me!! Wendover Drive, Beverley Hills, and Ingela took the plunge by purchasing it despite having ten months to run on her apartment. Her realtor friend, Bill Anstead solved the problem by finding a tenant for the house for a term that matched her obligations at the apartment. So for the rest of that year, Kenneth’s visits were to the El Royale. On one of Ingela’s shuttles she imported her mother Maiki from Sweden to look after the kids. Whilst she was away, Los Angeles was rocked by an earthquake dubbed the ‘Shake and Bake’ as it occurred in the middle of a heat wave. This was a terrifying experience for the trio, perched as they were on the 9th floor, and they moved into Victor’s house for a few days to recover from the shock. The morning after their first night, Maiki thanked Victor for giving her such a wonderful night. At the time he had one of his nubile girlfriends living with him, and he couldn’t help thinking how much more appropriate such a greeting would have been coming from her instead. Returning from a skiing trip to Mammoth one day, Kenneth mentioned that he had sold La Camargue, his penthouse in Cape Town. The problem was that there was no one to go and tie things up, as Kenneth at that stage hadn’t settled his problems with the South African Reserve Bank. Ingela volunteered, and Marilyn Mitchell who had the reflexes of an acrobat when travel opportunities arose, proposed that she accompany her into ‘Enemy Territory’ (the words she actually used to reinforce the need for a gun bearer!) So it was that Ingela arrived in Cape Town three days ahead of Marilyn to finalize the sale, store the collectibles and sell the furnishings. This was her first trip to Cape Town, and Kenneth’s friends rallied to ensure that she was entertained, and shown some of the town’s many attractions. Marilyn arrived on cue, and rather than join Ingela in the trenches, set about exploring ‘The Fairest Cape’. La Camargue had been sold to Barney Sank – the self styled King of Toyota Dealers, and a cat and mouse game ensued around the sale of the furniture and fittings, all of which had Marylin Burdge, Marylin Mitchell and Joyce Dennis at Soleil Dór. Ingela recovered sufficiently to join the rest of the group as they took off for the Seychelles, where Soleil D’or wove its magic once gain. They all had a terrific time, and the reunited lovers returned with a relationship stronger than ever. 14: Indian Wells I ngela had signed a one year lease for the El Royale apartment as this was only meant to be a temporary measure whilst she looked for a suitable house. Ryan and Alana moved in with her, and the twins at that stage were at UCLA, splitting their holidays between the two parents. Quite soon after their translocation, a wonderful home came onto the market on 57 originally been acquired to match the avantKenneth’s daughter Francesca and her husband garde architecture. Both parties were very keen Charles flew in from New York where he was to conclude a deal studying for an MBA, in their own best She broke the joyful interests, and each news that they were projected an air of expecting his first extreme disinterest. grandchild. Ingela held her Life in Los ground by stating Angeles was very her intention to ship comfortable, but the whole lot back Kenneth often got to America. Barney overwhelmed by the Sank who didn’t get heavy concentration to be the Toyota of traffic and King without a lot frenetic activity. He of negotiating savvy, also found the days Kerstin Florian, Ingela and Majbritt Fratti 1999. capitulated and a bit lonely after confirmed the sale as she was on her way to the schlepping across town for 30 minutes each airport. He congratulating her on a great game morning for his game of squash. After a year of poker, but didn’t hear her loud Yeehaa, and they accepted an offer to use the Burdge’s only the confines of the car prevented a victory second home in Palm Desert where they went dance. to watch the annual tennis classic. They were For the rest of the year, Ingela frequently joined by Joyce and Spencer Dennis, and in hopped across to Sweden and the Seychelles, unison they all agreed that this would be a great and Kenneth made several trips to Los Angeles. place to live. Kenneth and Ingela decided that He had become very comfortable with his new they would relocate there once the children had lifestyle, and they had made all the necessary moved on, and out of curiosity the two ladies adjustments got in touch in fine-tuning with property their emergent realtors to relationship. look at houses So it was that that were on in May 1988, the market. they married Joyce got in a ceremony quite keen on at the new ‘The Vintage’, house, shortly the most after moving prestigious in. A Swedish estate in priest from the Indian Wells, local seamen’s and Ingela church who needed conducted the a home with ceremony, with four bedrooms guests and found a house family flying she liked at in from all the Desert Ingela with sister in law Agneta, on front page in Desert Sun 24 th Dec. 2002. over the world. Horizons 58 Country Club. As fate would have it, both Ryan and Alana decided to move in with Victor, thus clearing the way for a move to Palm Springs. The Keillers put their house in Beverley Hills on the market, and then left for a holiday in the Seychelles. They returned to find that they had received several offers, and Ingela accepted the best at a price that more than doubled her investment in two years. The coast was now clear for a move to the desert, and they bought the house that she had first taken a liking to, whilst Joyce and Spencer Dennis wound up buying a home in ‘The Vintage’. Some of Ingela’s friends questioned her decision to move to an area which was well known as a wealthy retirement centre, whilst she was still very young. She replied that she wanted to find a place where Kenneth would find a lot of playmates. This turned out to be a very good decision, and they both found contentment and happiness. But there is no doubt that to this day she still misses all her friends back in L.A. Indian Wells ushered in the really good times for the Keillers. They both developed a passion for golf, and with a social life centered on the club, they made a large circle of friends in a very short space of time. And for Kenneth, the wide open spaces cured the claustrophobia he had suffered in L.A. Shortly after moving in, a very attractive ‘model house’ came on the market in a much better part of the estate. They put in an offer, but the developers decided to favor the one tendered by the oldest bidder. If there is a Property God, he certainly smiled on the Keillers. A year later they acquired the same property, when the owner failed to find a buyer for his original house. They now had the home that they wanted, in a town that they knew would suit them for the rest of their lives. 15: Family Matters Thomas. W hen Kenneth came into Ingela’s life, the twins were at UCLA. It was her hope that they would become lawyers, and after two years with his father’s backing Thomas went on to Law school. There was a time when he was a youngster that he really wanted to be a tennis star, and worked towards this goal with Ingela, at her sonThomas Law graduation 1991. terrific focus. At the age of 10, he was ranked no 1 in California, and later on even beat Pete Sampras. Being the modest person that he is, Thomas hastens to add that he was 20 at the time, and Sampras only 14! To his credit, he realized that although he had all the strokes, he wasn’t convinced that he had the mental makeup to get to the top. He re-focused on his law degree and on the final day of the Bar Exam, the hall was rocked by an earthquake, causing its cancellation. It was only re-run six months later, pushing his bar exam back half a year. On passing out of law school, Thomas worked for a succession of legal firms, gaining experience in different aspects of litigation. At one practice he specialized in Workman’s Compensation representing the police and firemen, and then at another worked 59 also appeared to be a thaw in his relationship with his estranged wife and her husband – raising the prospect of happier times with his kids. Michael. Thomas with Tommy Jr and Alexandra 2003. on the other side for hospitals and insurance companies. Now he has set up on his own in the field of personal injuries. In 1994 he married Marsha Freeman at the Beverley Hills Hotel, after an on-off relationship that stretched back to when he was 14 and they met at the tennis club. Ingela had misgivings based on the erratic nature of their courtship, and her fears were confirmed when they divorced three years later. This was the start of a black period for him as they had two children, Thomas jnr, and Alexa, who became part of an emotional tug of war when Marsha remarried and took them off to New Jersey. Things turned around for him when he increased the range of his practice to include property proceedings including the lucrative opportunities inherent in the field of direct realty broking. Around about this time there Socorro and Michael Hays at there wedding in Argentina 2005. The more laid back of the twins, joined a telecommunication company after graduating from UCLA. He eventually got bored with this Thoma and Michael Hays in Egypt 2004. The terrible twins Thomas and Michael Hays. 60 off, culminating in an intimate wedding held in a splendid baronial home in a rural setting outside the city. Jobs in his field of expertise were scarce in South America at the time, so he contacted Mr. Sawiris who immediately re-hired him and sent him to Brussels before relocating him to Luxemburg. Alana. Alana studied psychology at the University of Arizona . Here she met Jason Groom, a business degree student and they married shortly after graduating. With the job market being at low ebb at the time, he decided to carry on with an MBA, and enrolled at the Thunderbird Business School. Here, participants choose a country, and proceed to learn its language, customs and business conventions. Jason was keen to nominate Japan, but Ingela dissuaded him in favor of Spain, feeling that the European and South American connections would have more relevance. As it happened he joined a Japanese Bank after graduating, but Ingela’s advice proved to be credible later when he switched careers and The Groom family. and then got into a successful selling career, marketing wholesale textiles in California. Eventually he met up with Mr. Sawiris, an Egyptian who was a top executive for Orascom, another telecommunications company. This was the start of a roller coaster ride when he joined them and was sent to a string of Moslem countries including Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria and Lebanon, none of which would have been good career choices today! Based on a high degree of success he was then posted to Los Angeles to open a branch. At that stage the opposition was too well established, and to catch up would have required Alana and Jason with there two children, Anika and Hunter. more investment than seemed viable at the time. He advised Mr. Sawiris became a successful fund manager. In June of this, and that operation was closed down. 1993 Alana and Jason tied the knot in The St With the premature end to his Orascom career, Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in La Quinta Michael decided to take a gap year, by heading that had been donated by Frank Sinatra as a south to Buenos Aires where he reconnected memorial to his mother who was killed in a to the beautiful Socorro whom he had plane crash. It was a smaller replica of a chapel previously met in L.A. The relationship took 61 hers and Kenneth’s children, their kids, and her mother along with friend Lars. They all assembled in a hotel in Los Angeles and then flew on to Cabo San Lucas where she had hired a house near the sea. A memorable holiday ensued with what seemed to be a platoon of grandchildren all having a whale (or was that wail) of a time. Part of the festivities included a Pinyata Party in which a suspended paper maché donkey filled with candy was attacked by determined toddlers armed with baseball bats seeking to part the hapless animal from its precious cargo. The atmosphere was aided and abetted by an enthusiastic 12 man Mariachi Brass Band tooting away in Mexican fervor. Ryan. Ryan’s defiant nature took an about turn once he and Alana moved in with Victor, and the thaw in his relationship with his mother and stepfather was a welcome development. Even before that Kenneth noticed that he possessed a dogged determination, and was always fastidious in his approach to schoolwork. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a business degree, he got a job managing a fast food chicken wrap outlet. His drive and management skills were soon recognized, and before long he was running two branches. Alana and Jason. in Italy that had some family connection. After the service the bridal retinue, all decked out in a black and white theme, moved on to a sumptuous reception held at the Keiller residence at Desert Horizons. They have since had two kids, hyperactive Hunter, and Anika, who has her mother’s great smile. Ingela decided to organize a big family reunion for Xmas in 1998. It included all The whole extended family in Cabo San Lucas, christmas 1997. 62 Francesca. Ingela first met Francesca at Soleil Dór before she married Kenneth on one of her early trips to the Seychelles. Although married to Charles Arton, she happened to be there alone. Ingela had been forewarned that in his marriage to Vici there had been a split in the division of affections, with Alexander being the focus of his mother’s love, and Kenneth had poured all his adoration into Fran. Ingela’s appearance on the scene, was therefore not a welcome one for his daughter, and her reaction was extremely cool with very little acknowledgement. This continued for several years and reached a climax at a party given by the Artons when Fran introduced her father to all her friends, but made no mention of his wife. Upset about this Ingela phoned the next day and conceded that this could have been an oversight, but was in keeping with the overall tenor of their relationship. Furthermore, not wanting to ignite the situation, she suggested a two week interval before reacting. To Francesca’s great credit she took full responsibility for the rift, and their relationship improved from that moment, to Ryan and Laura with Aiden 2007. Following a lead from Jason he approached Geneva, an acquisition and merger company. They had a strictly enforced policy in which they only engaged MBA applicants, but with characteristic determination he persistently harassed them until they relented and gave him a job. This gave him great access to the many different proposals flowing into the company through his in-tray. Eventually, Pony Express, a company specializing in novelty wigs and party costumes caught his eye. By now he and Kenneth were good friends, and they decided to join forces in purchasing the company in San Diego. Shortly after acquiring Pony Express, Ryan married Laura Richitelli whom he had been dating for several years. They got married in Cabo San Lucas at the stylish Hacienda Del Mar resort. This town held happy memories for him ever since Ingela’s big Mexican reunion two years prior. The nuptials were conducted on the beach, and everyone including the bridal retinue had bare feet. And adding to the festive spirit was the news that both Alana and Marsha were pregnant at the time. Francesca, Ashleigh, Charles and Imogen Arton 2005. the point where she often seeks advice from her mother-in-law. Even before this Ingela had admired the great courage and determination she had shown in her support for Charles when he studied for his MBA in New York. This included having a baby in a broom cupboard sized apartment on the 5th floor of a building sans elevators. And in keeping the domestic 63 ship afloat she also managed to start Frogg Inc. - a children’s clothing company which went a long way towards the cash flow in those desperately tight days. After he graduated, Fran even managed to sell her company for $12,000, and she has run her family with the same strength of character ever since. 16: The Americanization of Ingela Alexander. Ingela’s introduction to Alexander was a much easier affair, and they met when he came to Särö for the funeral of his great Uncle Stig Kempe. He was living in England at the time, and in a reverse situation accepted her, but directed his anger at Kenneth with a bout of constant bickering. When Ingela was excluded from the funeral to make way for Alexander’s sudden appearance, she declared that she was going to go dancing in Gothenburg. Gleefully Alex declared that Kenneth had finally met his match. Throughout his life, he had always been at odds with his father, a situation that was later reversed by some wise counsel from Ingela and a trip to Indian Wells. Alexander had always been against America, and was peeved that Kenneth had chosen to live in California. On arrival he was influenced by the fact that her children really liked Elliot, Alexander and Paula with little Asta. Kenneth, and even found himself enjoying the ‘States’. Kenneth finally turned their relationship around by acknowledging that he had been a poor father, and seeking his son’s forgiveness. This was the start of a great new chapter, which included the celebration of Alexander’s marriage to Paula at a Sommarlust wedding reception given by a very proud father and his supportive wife. Today Kenneth is as close to his son as he is to his daughter, and much of is due to Ingela’s subtle influence. I ngela would be the first to concede that over the years she has become more American than Swedish, and this is for good reason. She arrived in the USA as a young girl, at a time when Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, and Anita Ekberg had made a big impact on Hollywood. This created a fascination for the blue eyed Ad for Horror Movie 1969. blonde perception of Swedish beauties at the time. Being blessed with great looks and a sharp intellect, she was immediately swept up by the beautiful people frequenting Palm Springs in those days. Although shy by nature following a cloistered childhood, she put great Ingela´s new Mercedes with her name plates 1973. 64 effort into mastering her school day English, and on enrolling for a language course, was immediately promoted to an advanced class. She knew that she was making progress when she found herself making mental decisions in her new language. Advert 1969. There were two major features involved in the Americanization of Ingela. The first was the terrific support and loyalty she received from a steadfast group of female friends. This was in complete contrast to the loneliness of her youth. They were quick to recognize the qualities that were reflected in her honesty, reliability, punctuality, and penchant for straight talk. Americans are like that, and social convention here was light years apart from Sweden where subservience and polite humility reigned supreme. The fact that she was a highly intelligent and attractive import didn’t hurt either. Her relationship with Victor was the other vital factor, Runway moddeling 1974. Article in LA Herald-Examiner 1976. Ingela, with Kee Flynn at Mannequins meeting 1977. 65 bought a penthouse there. As their relationship progressed, she rediscovered an affinity for her birthplace. The people they mixed with now bore no resemblance to those that she grew up with, and through her passion for golf, she developed a wide circle of new friends. Sweden too, had progressed from the repressive place it had been in the fifties and sixties, when it was impoverished from the war and flirted with Communism. In those days any hint of consumerism was Article on Mannequins Adam and Eve-awards 1978. and from him she got the affirmation that was completely lacking in Gothenburg. From the start he put her on a pedestal, and such was his admiration that he never made a decision without her input. Every aspect of their lives was discussed in detail, and together they tackled many projects. Most of all he was immensely proud of her and fully appreciated the fact that she was an excellent wife, mother and home maker. Through Victor, and Bill Hays before him, she had also moved into a lofty social stratosphere after her very middle class origins in Sweden. There is no doubt in Ingela’s mind that she would have been a totally different person if she had remained in the land of her birth. On frequent visits back to Gothenburg people noticed the changes in her, and vocally expressed the assumption that she still preferred Sweden. She went along with the lie for many years, but in reality her life in America was nothing like the one she experienced as the butcher’s daughter. Eventually, she gave up the pretence, and made no bones about that she was very happy in the US. Kenneth, whose early existence was entirely different to Ingela’s, celebrated his Swedish roots, and retained a love for Särö, the playground of his youth. He returned often, especially after attaining wealth and even Ingela in News article 1977, 66 Kenneth Hansen (owner of Scandia Rest.), Ingela, Maiki and Swedish Council General Walter Danielsson. together, and an examination of an old roster revealed the fact that they had even been in the same class! They had both changed beyond recognition! Once the Keiller’s moved to the desert, they also found that Särö was a welcome retreat from the unbearable heat of summer in Indian Wells, and the lifestyle, although different, offered a stimulating contrast. One of her most important friendships here was with Heidi Broström, who being Canadian, had a similar background and was very much in tune with her own philosophy. In a frank discussion she Fran Stark and Ingela in Vail 1980. Thank-you-note from Mr. Blackwell. frowned upon, and success had to be hidden. One day, playing eighteen holes at Kungsbacka, a woman of similar age asked her what school she attended. They discovered that they had both been at the Praktiska Real Skolan asked Ingela one day why she needed to get married. After a moment’s deliberation she replied that this was the only way she could commit herself 100% and she expected the same from Kenneth. He was well known for his 67 previous restlessness and anything other than a reciprocal dedication was out of the question. All of Ingela’s marriages contributed different aspects to her character and personality. Bill encouraged her social development by introducing her to a whole new way of life, especially the sports club culture that has served her so well. In every phase of her existence since leaving Sweden, she has met and developed important friendships on the tennis courts and golf courses of Palm Springs, L.A., Särö and Cape Town. This is a dimension that she has added to Kenneth’s life, as he was the very antithesis of a clubman. And their wide circle of friends today is largely due to their enthusiastic participation in club life. Victor it was who fostered much of her personal growth and the confidence to develop a high degree of business acumen through unstinting love and devotion. He also set in motion her passion and considerable talent for building development and renovation by giving her a free hand in overhauling their various homes. This has served her well and has resulted in considerable capital appreciation in all of her homes through innate design sense. Although they went their separate ways, Ingela will always acknowledge the big part Victor played in her evolution as a successful American citizen. Enter Kenneth Keiller stage left, an ideal candidate for the travel, social, and fun aspects of life. When they met they recognized the possibilities of a partnership that could take them into a new and more carefree phase of their lives. They had both worked hard, raised families, lived through life’s travails, and were ready to enjoy the fruits of their combined resources. If one accepts the premise that there are different people for the various seasons in ones life, then Kenneth appeared to be a likely choice for the years that lay ahead. By introducing Ingela to his world in Särö, he was also the catalyst behind her return to her Swedish heritage. This included a loving relationship with her mother Maiki living in nearby Kungsbacka. 17: Särö S ärö is a tiny coastal resort south of Gothenburg, with origins stretching back into history when it had close links with Swedish Royalty. It is untainted by the mad rush of progress, unfettered by the country’s slide into Socialistic mediocrity and unhindered by the traffic, crowds and pollution of city life. Here old money reigns supreme, and outranks mere wealth for most of its parochial residents. Särö is to Sweden, what Martha’s Vineyard is to America, and was the playground of Kenneth’s youth when his uncle consorted with King Gustav V. Every year they spend the summer months there, and on the 4th July they always pay homage to their American affiliation by holding a lively Independence Day party. Over 100 guests are entertained by a Bacchanalian buffet held in a massive marquee, and revellers from all over the world celebrate an annual occasion that puts the joie into joie de vivre. As their dependency on Särö increased, so did the Seychelles become obsolete. Kenneth eventually sold Soleil Dór, and his Särö penthouse in order to buy a property more suited to the needs of their annual migration. Thus did the Keiller’ search for their alternative residence begin. Ingela's 50th Birthday with Kenneth in Sweden 1993. 68 Properties in this prestigious enclave are the most highly prized on the West Coast, and seldom come onto the market. Furthermore his search was made more difficult by the fact that he needed access to the sea to feed his maritime ambitions. Eventually they stumbled on a house with an excellent position atop a commanding hill with spectacular views and a private jetty. The house had really modest accommodations, but had huge potential and a sensational vista. The deal was closed, they 18: Cape Town E ventually, Kenneth’s problems with the Reserve Bank were resolved, and he was able to return to his beloved Cape Town. Initially they stayed in Francesca’s old apartment below Livingroom in Särö. re-named the property Villa Sommmerlust, and they set about converting it into the showpiece of their vision. The lounge on the upper level was extended when a Bay window replaced an impractical balcony. At the back of the house a structure was built that gave them an extra garage below, elongated length on the entertainment level, and a generous billiard room above that. The ceilings were raised adding to the luxurious sense of space, and the wooden deck outside was replaced by russet slate tiles from India. By building onto the existing double garage, they were also able to create a compact little apartment with two bedrooms, a kitchen, en suite bathrooms and a sitting room. Once again Ingela was given free reign to give expression to her considerable decorating talent, and she came up with a stunning blend of antiques, drapes, paintings and furnishings all coordinated with great artistic flair. And at the bottom of the garden, Kenneth’s pride and joy - La Stravaganza - a powerful 480hp Storebro Royal Cruiser, lay moored below. Kenneth and Ingela at the house in Steenberg, Cape Town 2004. Livingroom with fireplace in Cape Town. At the house in Steenberg, Cape Town 2004. 69 Our house in Cape Town. the penthouse at La Camargue. Requiring something more substantial, they bought a beautiful seafront apartment in a development on the President in Bantry Bay. It featured a very large but impractical wrap around balcony, and they realized that by enclosing this area they could greatly increase the size and value of the property. Kenneth immediately swung into action doing what he does best, fighting with bureaucracy – in this case the building’s body corporate. After a protracted battle they gave in, and for very little cost they got a den, a bar and an extra dining area. The President apartment served them well, and they commenced entertaining on a grand scale once more. But Ingela was never really happy in the Cape. She felt that her friends back home had bent over backwards Thomas in Royal Ride. to welcome Kenneth, but most of his pals had not done the same in South Africa. Despite their considerable efforts at entertaining, there weren’t too many reciprocal invitations, and she also fell prey to the cultural differences just as he had done years before in L.A. After they had been in the President for three years, Ingela started playing golf at the Steenberg estate with Vonnie Spargo. This appeared to offer a similar lifestyle to their home in Desert Horizons. and she was immediately hooked. She also thought that living on a golf estate with its clubhouse and population of like-minded residents might improve her social position. The problem was how to get Kenneth out of his comfort zone back in Bantry Bay. The answer lay in the fact that they allowed golf carts on their course, and he took the bait like a blue finned tunny. Ingela went into executive overdrive, the President apartment was sold at a healthy profit, and before he knew it he was teeing off from a beautiful house overlooking a lush green fairway on one of the most prestigious golf estates in South Africa. Steenberg ushered in much happier times and her hunch about the clubhouse activities proved to be well founded. Kenneth also found great pleasure cruising around the estate in a golf cart sporting an imitation Rolls Royce grill. Ingela, the compulsive renovator 70 Ninna, Kenneth Brolin, Wayne Florian, Ingela, Kerstin Florian and Kenneth. and decorator put her distinctive flair into to the house with exquisite furnishings, drapes and objets d’art. They also converted a large patio into a billiard room by the addition of a retractable glass screen, as well as converting some unproductive space behind the garage into an extra suite that included a small office. As in all their other architectural adventures, their combined panache resulted in an abode of singular charm. For a couple of years, they enjoyed Steenberg to the full, but they were splitting each year between Indian Wells, Särö, and Cape considerably against the dollar, meant a potential trebling of their investment. With a heavy heart and great reluctance Kenneth agreed to sell this home, but his spirits were shored up by great capital appreciation linked to some wonderful memories. At an emotional farewell party, at the clubhouse which was packed with relatives and friends, Kenneth brought the curtain down on his long association with South Africa on the 21st February, 2005. Fritz, Seppi with Ingrid, Ingela and Dorothy. Town. And as much as Ingela enjoyed life on the estate, she never felt the same degree of rapport with Capetonians as she enjoyed with her friends in the other two countries. The property boom at the time had doubled the value of the Steenberg house, and as they had purchased the property when the rand was weak, they fact that it had strengthened Kenneth in kilt with Ingela at home in Streenberg SA 2005. 71 into a major problem, when the town planners wanted to extend Eldorado Drive through the centre of the site to link up with Interstate Highway 10. This setback went away when Boone made a $2,000,000 payment into the Palm Desert City coffers. The Toscana Country Club was now cleared for takeoff. After an expensive two year delay, Jack Nicklaus was brought in to plan the two eighteen - hole courses, one of which was to be a unique Desert design with verdant fairways set into attractively landscaped sand and rock surrounds. The traditional course was finished 19: The Toscana Country Club T he one thing the Keillers share is a passion for property, and somewhere in Ingela’s ancestry there must have been a Bedouin or two. Luckily, Kenneth has the same Entrance at Toscana Country Club. first, and houses began to spring up along its perimeter. Ingela swung into executive mode as she planned her new house down to the last detail, even plotting the electrical layout whilst cruising on their boat in Särö. What came out of the ground was a truly magnificent edifice in a glorious setting as the barren land was transformed into a luxuriant green vista, dotted with palm trees, lakes and a rugged panoramic backdrop formed by the Santa Rosa Mountain Range surrounding Indian Wells. disposition and a similar penchant for property development. For some time she had been watching a large tract of land singled out for a spectacular new Country Club Estate to be built around two golf courses. She went ahead and bought a site in what was nothing more than 650 acres of dirt and sand, guided by her uncanny instincts for real estate opportunities. Bill Boone the developer already had an impressive track record, and was also a pivotal factor in her decision. The project soon ran 72 Our pool and view at Toscana. They sold their house in Desert Horizons at a profit, and their very good friends Kerstin and Wayne Florian had also made the decision to move from Desert Horizon to Toscana. They moved into their new abode which was in a war zone at the time as frenetic building operations continued along the length of Via Chianti – their street Maki and Lars at new house in Toscana 2007. in the new estate. Two years later, with peace restored to their lives, a beautiful fairway in front of their sandstone patio, and a wide circle of friends old and new, they enjoy a golfer’s paradise that more than justifies the faith behind their bold decision. Building operations have moved on to more remote areas of the estate, contractors are finishing the second nine holes of the unique Desert course, and best of all the planned 50,000 square ft clubhouse complete with Olympic swimming pool, tennis courts, spa and gymnasium, gets underway soon. The beautiful facility in use at the moment, with its atmospheric restaurant, bar, and locker rooms will remain. Once completed, the Toscana Country Club will be one of the finest in the Desert, if not in the whole of America. 73 Victor and Ingela in Acapulco 1968. Ingela and her mother Maiki 1968. Ingela just divorced 1966. Kenneth and Ingela with Annika, Hunter and Aiden 2006, So for now, the Keillers are settled, seated and satisfied. But when the time comes, I wouldn’t bet against a final development as they redefine life in some frail care facility with some new daring and innovative concept. Together they have realized all the promise of those adrenaline charged days when they met way back in Särö. Setting off from unhappy origins in Sweden, Ingela has become the embodiment of the great American Dream. In Kenneth she has found a companion who has similarly triumphed against life’s many obstacles, to reach a space where life can be celebrated by enjoying it to its fullest extent. Together they travel, laugh, love and squabble as lovers in full bloom………. And can there be a better conclusion than that. 74 The Butchers Daughter A personal history of Ingela Keiller The text for this book is produced in Microsoft Word written by Roy Watts, the pictures are processed in Adobe PhotoShop and the original artwork is done with Adobe Illustrator. The typsetting and layout are made in Adobe InDesign by Björn Laessker. The fonts used are: Bodytype - Garamond Regular Text headings - Garamond and Garamond Premier Pro Chapter headings - Brush Script Std Captions - Giddyup Std The coverdesign is created by Vanessa-Gaye Schiff. The book is printed at SG Zetterqvist Printinghouse AB, body on 150 gram Multiart Gloss, cover on 150 gram Multiart Gloss glued on 1250 gram cardboard and dustcover on 150 gram Multiart Gloss.