Winston Churchill and Clementine Hozier: 57 years of marriage, which was not given even six months

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Good sons who love and respect their mother become good husbands. Lady Blanche thought so, blessing her daughter Clementine to marry Winston Churchill. And she was not mistaken - this happy marriage, which became a model of loyalty and devotion, lasted more than half a century.

Great Briton

Winston Churchill, a descendant of the eminent 16th century sea pirate Sir Francis Drake and the Duke of Marlborough's military leader, was born into the family of a famous British politician. Having received a prestigious military education at that time, the young man became interested in journalism.

He took part in the Anglo-Boer War and, having escaped from captivity, returned to his homeland as a national hero. Winston wrote a bestselling book on the heroism of English soldiers. By the time he met his future wife, Churchill was already known as an emerging politician.

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- a representative of an ancient Scottish family. Clementine Hozier belonged to the famous Scottish family Airlie. A young lady of strict morals from aristocratic strata of society, she was an example of meekness and courtesy, she knew several foreign languages, played the piano, and drew superbly. She attracted eyes not with soulless beauty, but with a combination of intelligence and noble aristocratic charm.

The refined taste of the representative of "blue blood" elevated her to a style icon in Great Britain for many years. In addition, Clem was witty, had an excellent sense of humor, and was well versed in politics. Since her family was not rich, after graduating from the Sorbonne she had to earn money - she gave French lessons.

In her 23 years, this lady was quite circumspect and picky, refusing three gentlemen who wooed her. Probably, fate was prepared to meet that long-awaited and only one …

First meeting

For the first time, Winston and Clementine crossed paths at a social event with Lord and Lady Crewe. Churchill seemed a little strange to the girl. He made attempts to invite her to dance all the time, but did not dare to perform this feat. In politics, an incomparable orator, Churchill treated women timidly, was stingy in speech and very shy. Probably, for this reason, he was not popular with girls, and there were already four unsuccessful engagements behind him.

Clem singled out this sweet and awkward man from the crowd, but her sense of tact did not allow the girl to take the first step. From that time on, the memory of him settled in her soul. Their next meeting was destined to take place only after four long years.

Offer at the Temple of Diana

They met again at Lady Saint Helier's ball. Clementine did not want to attend this reception, but at the last moment it was as if someone pushed her. Not choosing, as it seemed to her, a suitable dress, she, in a bad mood, nevertheless went on a holiday to a relative.

Churchill was also invited to another social event, but his uncle persuaded Winston to keep him company. This is how sometimes accidents give birth to a long and happy destiny.

By that time, Churchill was already a deputy minister, he had learned to behave in a relaxed manner and had a reputation as an interesting interlocutor. This time, he not only invited Clem to dance, but was also able to interest her in an entertaining conversation. And the girl saw in him a kind, gentle, and most importantly, a promising contender for her hand and heart.

The young man invited Miss Hozier to stay at the family estate of the Dukes of Marlborough. Guessing that Winston was primarily concerned with a tete-a-tete conversation, and not a noisy ball at Blenheim Palace, Clementine agreed.

For several days, the lovers walked through the picturesque outskirts of Oxfordshire, admiring nature and philosophizing about politics, but did not dare to confess the most important thing to each other. The girl was already thinking of returning back to London, but Winston Churchill made an extreme attempt, going with his beloved to the temple of Diana, where the rose garden was located. According to contemporaries, a thunderstorm broke out at that moment. Nature itself contributed to the explanation: streams of water, lightning, the scent of flowers … As a sign of the future marriage, Winston presented the future bride of incredible beauty with a ring with a huge red ruby and two diamonds.

The celebration, scheduled for mid-September, was kept secret for some time, but by some miracle the whole of Blenheim became aware of the secret.

Closer to night, Clemmy sent her first romantic message to the groom - a heart with the inscription "Winston" inside. When the couple was visiting the Duke of Marlborough, they, unable to contain their feelings, exchanged messages to each other, which the servants delivered every minute throughout the palace: "."

… And the high society believed that the union would not last even six months. Many grinned: "Churchill was not born for married life. His only love is politics." But, fortunately, the forecast did not come true.

Eternal love story

They were married in the parish church of the House of Commons at Westminster. She was 24, he was 33. If in his youth Winston was fond of polo and fencing, now his motto has become the world famous words: "Five or six cigars a day, three or four servings of whiskey and no sports!" Now he was building a career, writing books, putting things in order in the country, declaring himself with loud speeches. But addictions also appeared: he spent nights in casinos, losing and winning fortunes. The morning began with cognac, the day ended with whiskey. There were legends about his weakness for Cuban cigars: Sir Churchill could fall asleep without a cigar, burning his clothes on and showered with ashes all around. He was also known as a gourmet and never limited himself in his addiction.

Clementine, oddly enough, never made an attempt to remake her husband's bad temper. She was an ideal wife and a wise woman. She had a special approach to happiness. Later, speaking to the Oxford students, the lady said: "You should not force your husbands to agree with you. You will gain more by refraining from your arguments, and after a while you will notice how your husband will understand that you are right."

Clem accepted her husband as he was. And only next to such a woman did the obstinate and uncompromising politician turn into an obedient husband. The wife became a support for Winston, the first advisor and close comrade. It was incredibly difficult with him, but you didn't have to get bored. Later, the great politician will write: "Clemmi, you gave me the heavenly enjoyment of life."

In his free hours, Churchill studied the trade of a bricklayer and raised piglets. He loved to study the press, but he categorically did not recognize television, calling it "a lantern for fools." The wife of the greatest Briton coped with raising four children and was fond of the public. During the war, Mrs. Churchill founded and headed the "Fund for the Red Cross to Aid to Russia", and Stalin himself, as a sign of special gratitude, presented her with a ring with a diamond. May 9, 1945 Clementine spent in Moscow.

A distinguished orator of the century and an outstanding statesman died at ninety. His wife survived him by twelve years. These people were completely different, like “water and stone, ice and fire”, but they lived and breathed in unison, thanks to life for every moment they lived together.

No wonder Sir Churchill called marriage to Clementine the best gift of fate:.

And another great British couple - Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.