1986day.year
Wallis Simpson
(1896 - 1986)
American socialite, Duchess of Windsor
American socialite
Duchess of Windsor
American socialite whose relationship with Edward VIII led to his abdication and her becoming Duchess of Windsor.
Wallis Simpson was an American socialite born in 1896 who remains one of the most controversial figures in 20th-century British history. Her twice-divorced status and romance with King Edward VIII precipitated a constitutional crisis that ended his reign in 1936. Following his abdication, Edward became the Duke of Windsor, and the couple lived mostly abroad, often in France and the United States. Simpson’s style and elegance made her a fashion icon, while her personal life attracted intense media scrutiny. Despite public criticism, she maintained a close partnership with Edward until his death in 1972. Wallis continued to influence social circles and charitable causes throughout her life. She died on April 24, 1986, remembered for her role in one of monarchy’s most dramatic episodes.
1986
Wallis Simpson