Lance Reventlow: The Tragic Life Of A Playboy Racer
Could the life of a man born into unimaginable wealth, who chased speed and glamour with equal fervor, truly be as captivating as a work of fiction? Lance Reventlow's story, a whirlwind of privilege, passion, and peril, certainly suggests that reality can, at times, outstrip even the most imaginative narratives.
Born in London on February 24, 1936, Lance Reventlow entered the world with a silver spoon firmly in hand. His lineage was a tapestry woven with threads of immense wealth and social standing. His mother, Barbara Hutton, heiress to the vast Woolworth fortune, was once considered the wealthiest woman in the world. His father, a Danish count, added a touch of European aristocracy to the mix. At the tender age of twenty-one, Reventlow faced a pivotal choice: he could claim American, British, or Danish citizenship. After thoughtful consideration, he elected to become an American citizen, a decision that perhaps foreshadowed the direction his life would take. As he once put it, I thought it over for a full though the sentence remained unfinished, the choice was made. It was a choice that would set him on a path that mixed the thrill of the racetrack with the excesses of high society.
Reventlow's early life was punctuated by the presence of influential figures. His stepfathers included the iconic actor Cary Grant and Prince Igor Troubetzkoy. These relationships provided him with access to circles of power and influence, shaping his perspective and opening doors to a world of unparalleled experiences.
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Reventlow's passion for speed and engineering led him to the world of motorsports. In the late 1950s, he was a young and wealthy playboy with a penchant for speed, a characteristic perfectly aligned with his lifestyle. He and his close friend Bruce Kessler, also from a wealthy background, embraced the relatively new sport of sports car racing in the United States. Given his status as the lone heir to the Woolworth fortune, Reventlows funding for his racing endeavors seemed limitless. He raced in Formula Two in Europe, before returning to the States. There, he channeled his energies into designing and constructing his own race cars under the banner of Scarab. The ambitious Lance Reventlow was often seen behind the wheel, a testament to his dedication and skill.
Reventlows life, however, was not without its share of drama. His European racing ventures proved challenging, with most of his race entries being rejected. A particularly harrowing experience at Snetterton saw him catapult out of the cockpit after his Maserati 200S flipped. This unfortunate incident offered a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of the sport, even for someone of his privilege. The glamorous life he led was often tempered by the precarious reality of racing, which underscored the delicate balance between triumph and tragedy.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lance Reventlow |
| Date of Birth | February 24, 1936 |
| Place of Birth | London, England, UK |
| Date of Death | July 24, 1972 |
| Place of Death | Aspen, Colorado, USA |
| Mother | Barbara Hutton (Woolworth Heiress) |
| Father | Danish Count |
| Stepfathers | Cary Grant, Prince Igor Troubetzkoy |
| Marriages | Cheryl Holdridge, Jill St. John |
| Citizenship | American (chosen at age 21) |
| Profession | Racecar Driver, Designer, Team Owner, Entrepreneur, Playboy |
| Notable Achievement | Creation of the Scarab race car |
| Legacy | Remembered as a glamorous figure, a skilled racer, and a symbol of a bygone era |
| Reference | Wikipedia |
Lance Reventlow, son of heiress Barbara Hutton, makes one of his
Lance Reventlow Influx
Lance Reventlow, son of Barbara Hutton and his bride Jill St. John
