CUT THE RIBBON: PORFIRIO RUBIROSA

Posted on April 22, 2013 by admin

Porfirio, the ruthless, the chief at cutting ribbons. The gorgeous man, the diplomat, the playboy, the polo player, the car racer. Born in the Dominican Republic, he later became a diplomat being the Chief of the Dominican Embassy to Paris. Rubirosa was married five times, but never had any children. His wives were: Flor de Oro Trujillo, Danielle Darrieux, Doris Duke, Barbara Hutton, Odile Rodin.  Even the rumors of his sexual prowess, inspired Parisian waiters to name gigantic pepper mills “Rubirosas”. What else could a woman want? After World War II, Rubirosa became engaged in two major passions, polo and car racing, both expensive sports that would be supported in years to come by his American wives. Much has been written, speculated and whispered about this man, but one thing is sure, he led a life that few can imagine and let alone rivals. His life was better and more interesting than fiction. He was a tireless presence at chic nightspots, a keen race driver and polo player, a friend to the rich and infamous, a relentless pursuer of women with huge bank accounts. In the last few years it has been rumored that a movie will be released on his life starring Antonio Banderas. But the real Porfirio worked hard at having fun.  In the 50s when meeting  Sammy Davis he would introduce himself by saying : “Your profession is being an entertainer, mine is being a playboy.”*In fact He bedded thousands of women, including legendary beauties as Ava Gardner, Jayne Mansfield, Eva Peron and Zsa Zsa Gabor.In the Forties and Fifties no high-society party or jet-set gathering was complete without him. He never did a proper day’s work in his life yet his success with women enabled him to mix with royalty and film stars. His mesmerising charm ended in 1965,at the Parisian Bois de Boulogne. After drinking all night at the nightclub Jimmy’s in celebration of a polo win. Rubi, as friends would call him drove home at 7am and crashed his Ferrari into a tree. He was 56. He had lived and died fast.