Clementine Churchill is the wife of the British Prime Minister. Clementine Churchill's Second Front Churchill's Rapid Promotion

How not to annoy your husband for half a century?

“My marriage was the happiest and most joyful event of my entire life”
W. Churchill

The love story of W. Churchill and Clementine Hozier is a confirmation of the old truth that
that opposites attract, and with such force that even death cannot separate them.
Their marriage lasted 57 years, lived in love, understanding and complete trust in each other.
There was, perhaps, in the foreign history of the twentieth century, politics more popular and more significant,
than Winston Spencer Churchill. From the family of the Dukes of Marlborough, a member of the Anglo-Boer and World War II
wars, he did a lot and did a lot, and not only for Great Britain. Volumes have been written about him.
Yes, he told a lot about himself. But today it is not about him, or rather not only about him.
I wonder what kind of woman was next to him for fifty-seven years?
What kind of person is his wife Clementine Churchill, née Hoyzier, who
from a noble Scottish family of Airlie?

She was born on April 1, 1885 and was 11 years younger than Winston.
When they got married she was 23 and Churchill was 34.
Clementine was fluent in German and French, had a sharp mind and a subtle sense of humor, was interested in politics. The family was not rich, and Clementine gave French lessons.
But at 23, the girl was also picky, she was in no hurry to get married, ruining three engagements. Winston, on the other hand, was one of those people whose shortcomings were immediately visible, and whose virtues were discovered a little later. And although life experience he was already rich, with women, Winston was a bear by a bear:
neither you beautiful courtship, nor you compliments. He was, above all, a warrior and
too straightforward to be considered a gentleman.
In addition, the young lord was accustomed to a bachelor's life and did not want to part with it.
Therefore, having finally decided to marry, over the past two years he has received three refusals to his proposals.
In addition, the brides understood that main woman for the applicant will be her majesty - Politics.
In general, they could not discern an excellent party in the wayward and conceited gentleman.
But the sky ordered - and they met: Winston and Clementine!
It turns out that fate had already brought them together four years ago at the same ball,
but since Churchill did not yet know how to dance, a nimble gentleman took the beauty away from him.

They met at a London ball at Crewe House. Churchill behaved extremely constrainedly -
barely looked at 19-year-old Clementine and didn't say a word. He didn't even invite her to dance.
Then she accepted an invitation to dance another gentleman.
This ended the first meeting between Winston and Clemmie.
Their paths parted to meet again - four years later.
Needless to say, even now he did not burn with the desire to go to the ball
(after all, among other things, there will also be dances, which he could not stand).
The second meeting took place at a dinner party at Aunt Clementine's. It should be noted that this time
neither Clemmy nor Winston were going to appear on it. But Fate is a stubborn thing:
despite the fact that Miss Hozier did not have a single decent dress, and besides, for a long time she could not find
his ball gloves, and the young lord would never have come to this dinner if not for his secretary
Eddie Marsh, but in the end everything turned out well ...

Already in August of the same year, he proposed to Clementine. The groom for that time was very
extravagant and peculiar, and therefore Clementine almost refused again!
But still, on August 15, 1908, Deputy Minister Churchill announced his wedding.
The high society issued a summary: this marriage will last six months, no more, and the marriage will fall apart because
that Churchill was not made for family life.
But it turned out differently: they lived 57 years in love and fidelity.

Roy Jenkins wrote: "It is simply phenomenal that Winston and Clementine are the offspring of windy ladies -
created one of the most famous marriages in world history, known as their happiness,
as well as his loyalty.

Churchill's biographers write that he was often lucky, but most of all he was lucky with his wife!
And family life began. They were complete opposites of each other, and that is precisely what they
tied up. She became the only person who was able to cope with a quick-tempered
Churchill's character. In her presence, he was transformed.
What he just did not get up: wrote books, learned to fly a plane, spent the night away
in the casino, losing and winning back fortunes, led political life countries, drank
an exorbitant amount of whiskey, smoked Havana cigars endlessly, devoured kilogram dishes!

But Clementine did not try to curb her husband, correct his shortcomings and remake his character,
as a less intelligent woman would try to do. She accepted him for who he was.
An uncompromising and stubborn politician near his wife became a meek youth. And she became
his colleague, first adviser and true friend. She was not easy with him, but she was never bored.
Churchill talked a lot, never listening or even hearing anyone. She found a wonderful way
communication with him. The wife wrote letters to her husband. A total of 1,700 letters and postcards were written. And their youngest
daughter Marie then published these lines of love.
I must also say that the wife was a lark, and her husband was an owl. This is partly why they never get together.
didn't have breakfast. Churchill once said that having breakfast together is a test that cannot be
withstand none family union. They rested most often apart: she loved the tropics, and he
preferred extreme. One gets the impression that a wise wife did not flicker before her husband’s eyes,
did not reshape him in her own way, but was always there when he wanted it.

Despite his inherent frivolity, he never cheated on his wife. And she was completely absorbed by him.
Clementine was with him before last day- all 57 years. And in sorrow and in joy. She always showed alive
interest in what her husband was doing. Clemmy even participated in the creation of Churchill's memoirs,
but not as a writer, but as a critic. They came up with touching nicknames for each other: she called him
Mr Pug is a pug and he is her cat. They had five children: son Randolph and
daughters Diana, Sarah, Marigold and Mary.

And in the house, in fairness, it must be said, very often his call was heard: “Clemmy!”
By the way, they also slept in different bedrooms.
One day, speaking to Oxford students, Clementine said:
“Never force a husband to agree with you. You will achieve more by continuing calmly
stick to your beliefs, and after a while you will see how your spouse will quietly come to the conclusion that
that you are right."
They plunged into crises, became poor and became rich again, but their union was never subjected to
doubt, and their spiritual closeness only grew stronger over the years.
In September 1941, Clementine appealed to the British to support the USSR:
“We are amazed at the power of Russian resistance!” From 1941 to 1946, she, as president of the Red
Cross of Aid to Russia "made the first installment, and then members of her husband's government did it.

At first, the Russian Relief Fund planned to raise 1 million, but managed to raise many times
more: approximately £8 million. No "non-liquid" or second-hand, everything is just
high-quality and the most necessary: ​​equipment for hospitals, food, clothing,
prostheses for the disabled. Before the very victory of Clementine, for a whole month and a half, from April 2 to
mid-May, was in the Soviet Union. She visited many cities - in particular, Leningrad,
Stalingrad, Odessa, Rostov-on-Don. She was also in the house-museum of A.P. Chekhov in Yalta.
Having met Victory Day in Moscow, Clementine spoke on Moscow radio with an open message
Winston Churchill. For her work in helping our country, Clementine was awarded
Order of the Red Banner of Labor. She also met with Stalin, who gave her a golden
a ring with a diamond.
Until now, historians are perplexed why Clementine was in the Soviet Union for so long.
After the war, Winston Churchill published a six-volume work on the Second World War, for which
in 1953 he was awarded the Nobel Prize.
It is likely that Churchill, in order not to sin against the truth, instructed his wife to look at the consequences
war with his own eyes, for Winston never trusted anyone in his life more than her. She, of course, did not collect facts: others did, but her opinion for the prime minister was always decisive.
After her husband's death, Clementine became a member of the House of Lords and a life peer as a baroness.
Spencer-Churchill-Chartwell. This amazing woman died on December 12, 1977,
lived 92 years.

newspax.ru Women in history

More about Churchill.

On August 15, 1908, the forthcoming marriage of the famous politician Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill and the maiden Clementine Ogilvie Hozier was reported on the front pages of British newspapers. The upper world was skeptical about this news. Everyone predicted a quick divorce, since, according to the general opinion, the groom was clearly not suitable for family life. But heaven wanted otherwise. The young managed to build one of the most famous marriages in the world, having lived in love and fidelity for fifty-seven years.

Clouded childhood

The future Baroness Clementine Churchill was born on April 1, 1885 in a poor, but very noble family retired British Army officer G.M. Hozier and his wife, Lady Blanche Ogilvie. Her childhood was not joyful, the reason for this was the problems that interfered with the happiness of her parents.

The fact is that rumor attributed many love affairs to her mother, and evil tongues even claimed that Colonel Hozier was not the real father of her children. So it was or not, it is not known, but unable to withstand the pangs of jealousy, he divorced his wife and officially abandoned the children, leaving old family without a livelihood.

Taking care of daily bread

Of course, he also received a severe moral injury. eldest daughter, the future wife of English Prime Minister Clementine Churchill. The memory of this did not leave her for the rest of her life. Having received an excellent education in childhood and being fluent in several foreign languages, she, the heiress of an ancient aristocratic family, was forced to give French lessons for a piece of bread.

Picky Bride

The first meeting of Clementine with her future husband took place in 1908 at a party with her aunt and, undoubtedly, was nothing more than a providence of God, since both he and she were among the guests quite by accident, having completely different plans for that evening. But everything turned out just the way the heavens wanted.

The news of the wedding surprised many. It should be noted that Clementine, despite her poverty, was a very choosy bride and, at her twenty-three years old, managed to refuse three enviable seekers of her hand. As for the groom, it was said that in life he was only interested in politics, well, perhaps, whiskey, Havana cigars, horses and roulette. It is unlikely that with such inclinations one can expect anything worthwhile in the future family life.

Marriage celebrations and subsequent weekdays

The marriage took place in September 1908 in London at St. Margaret's Church. It became a real event. secular life and widely reported in the press. In addition to the usual information in such cases, containing a list of high-ranking guests and details of the ceremony, all newspapers noted the extraordinary charm of the bride dressed in white. satin dress with a flowing veil and adorned with jewels (a gift from the groom). The bride and groom, dressed in the latest fashion of that time, were not ignored either.

It should be noted that at first the young husband did not deceive the general bad forecasts. It is known that spending time free from politics in a casino, in a short time he managed to lose several times and return again. own state. In addition, despite his addiction to alcohol, he learned to fly an airplane and wrote several books. To top it off, he turned out to be an incredible gourmet, capable of munching on kilo-sized meals and sitting for hours wrapped in cigar smoke. With all this, against her will, the charming Clementine Churchill faced, whose photo of those years is presented at the beginning of the article.

Saving life wisdom

But the marriage did not break up. The fact is that she was not only beautiful, but also an intelligent woman. Long before the wedding, there was a rumor about her as an unusually strict and reasonable girl, capable of soberly and balancedly assessing problems. In marriage, these qualities were manifested in their entirety.

She did not try to remake her husband, and even more so somehow put pressure on him, but unconditionally accepted what fate sent her. She achieved her goal exclusively with tenderness and affection (learn, young brides). It took effect. Over time, Clementine became an indispensable friend and ally of Winston, who in her presence turned from a stubborn and uncompromising politician into a meek young man. At the same time, she managed to adapt herself in everything to him.

For example, one of his features was the inability and unwillingness to listen to the interlocutor. This deficiency developed so much that at times Winston physically ceased to hear the one with whom he communicated. Wise woman found a wonderful way out: if you don’t want to listen, read, and she bombarded him with her messages.

Later, one thousand seven hundred of them were published by daughter Marie, the last of all the children that Churchill gave her husband Clementine. Biography - a book containing many interesting facts from the life of the mother, saw the light after her death.

A Union Fortified by Spiritual Ties

From the memoirs of people close to them, it is known that Clementine Churchill, remaining in the shadows, always knew how to be there when her husband needed it. Per long years spent together, their spiritual union invariably strengthened, despite all the hardships that had to be endured, and there were many of them.

Even being on the verge of ruin as a result of certain crises, the spouses did not question their marriage union. Surprisingly, very windy in previous years, Winston, becoming a husband, completely departed from his former habits and never cheated on his wife, who paid him mutual fidelity. In his memoirs, written at the end of his life, he frankly said that of all the luck that fate so generously bestowed on him, the union with Clementine was undoubtedly the main one.

They had five children: son Randolph and daughters Diana, Sarah, Mary, and Marigold, who died in three years old. By the way, it was she who was Winston's favorite child, and her death caused him a deep moral trauma, which required great mental strength to overcome.

Ally in the fight against common evil

Since the beginning of World War II, Clementine Churchill headed the Red Cross Fund for Aid to Russia, which she created, which provided invaluable assistance to our country. Thanks to her, eight thousand pounds sterling was collected, which was used to purchase and send food, medicine, clothes and invalid prostheses to Moscow.

In the spring of 1945, Clementine visited the USSR, where she celebrated Victory Day. Having visited a number of cities, among which were Leningrad, Odessa, Stalingrad, Rostov-on-Don and Yalta, she, while in Moscow, read out on the radio an address from her husband Winston Churchill to our people. For outstanding services to the Soviet Union, Stalin awarded her the Order of the Red Banner of Labor and presented her with a gold ring adorned with a large diamond.

Protracted visit

Clementine Churchill spent a month and a half in the USSR that year. It is very likely that, in addition to personal interest in the country to which she provided assistance, the reason for such a long journey was her husband's instruction to see as much as possible and, upon returning, to retell his impressions to him.

This, of course, was not about espionage - others were engaged in this, but the subjective opinion that Clementine could make was important to him. subsequently wrote and published a six-volume work on the history of the war, and it is likely that, in order to avoid mistakes, he instructed his wife to personally see and describe to him the consequences of the world massacre where they were most palpable.

Last years of marriage

It is known that, being an unusually witty man, Churchill became the author of many expressions and witticisms that became winged in his homeland and did not sink into oblivion due to the fact that Clementine saved them in her notes collected by her, today they have gained an independent life and are often used people who are not even aware of their authorship.

She willingly shared her art of creating long and lasting marital relationships with young women who were just about to build a family. For many of them, Clementine Churchill was the undisputed authority on this issue. "How not to get bored with a husband for half a century" - this was the theme of her repeated speeches to various female audiences, in particular to students of the famous Oxford University. In them, the thought of the perniciousness of attempts to impose one's opinion on a husband was always a common thread, but at the same time, recommendations were given on how to lead him with patience and gentleness to the realization of his own wrong.

Clementine's dying will

After the death of her husband, which followed on January 24, 1965, Clementine Churchill, whose biography throughout her life is associated with higher public policy, was honored to become a member and a life peer with the title of Baroness Spencer-Churchill-Chartwell. My amazing life she completed in 1977, at the age of ninety-two.

Having outlived her husband by twelve years, last years she devoted her life to publishing memoirs, in which she described long haul passed by them together. She often repeated that life had lost all meaning for her, and she wanted to get to her Winston as soon as possible. After death last will, which was expressed by Clementine Churchill, was performed - she was buried in the Woodstock cemetery in Oxfordshire next to her husband. There they found the last refuge and their children.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is still considered one of the leading politicians of the 20th century. But it is not in vain that the British say that the success of a man is three-quarters of the merit of his wife. And in general, Clementine Churchill is worth remembering about her.

Clementine Hozier was born on April 1, 1885 in the family of a retired colonel G.M. Hozier and Lady B.G. Ogilvie. We can say that the future spouses were brought together by chance. The first time they saw each other at the ball, but did not pay attention to each other. At that time, Clementine was 19 years old, and Winston was already an adult man prone to baldness - of course, not every girl could quickly become interested in him. The second meeting took place four years later. During a meal with mutual friends, W. Churchill and Clementine were seated side by side. But she could not get into this house at all - she was invited at the last moment, because one lady was missing, there were 13 guests, and this violated the decorum that is reverently observed in English secular society.

Churchill at that time already held a serious post in the government and managed to attract the attention of a young lady. In general, quite successful in his career, Winston Churchill was not popular with the ladies. He did not know how to communicate with them at ease, awkwardly courted, did not indulge representatives of the opposite sex with signs of attention, did not master the art of dancing - in general, he was a very mediocre gentleman. And although he tried to arrange his personal life, he did not succeed. But Clementine not only sincerely fell in love with Winston, but also managed to discern his virtues. At the same time, she was not blinded by feelings, but perfectly saw all the flaws of her chosen one.

Their romance developed more through correspondence. At some point, Clementine already thought that W. Churchill would never ask her hand and heart. And when he nevertheless proposed to her, she immediately agreed to the marriage. Their wedding took place on September 12, 1908. There were fifteen thousand guests. The ceremony was magnificent and open, as is customary in an aristocratic environment. A large crowd gathered to admire the newlyweds. But then no one could have predicted that this union would become one of the most durable (it lasted 57 years) and very happy. Love, fidelity, devotion, understanding and care - that's what distinguished him. But many acquaintances considered Churchill completely uncreated for family life. But later, the biographers of the famous politician admitted that he was extremely lucky with his wife.

Such a case is also indicative. In the mid 1950s. in the Churchill house, in a friendly company, they started the game "Who would you like to be if you had not become who you are?". The guests competed in wit and fantasized with might and main. But Winston won the unspoken victory when he said: "If I did not become who I am, I would gladly become ... the second husband of Mrs. Churchill."

The couple corresponded all their lives - they had little personal communication and had to constantly maintain close contact. Here are a few lines from Sir Churchill's messages to his wife: "My dear, in all the years that we have been together, many times I have caught myself thinking that I love you too much, so much that it seems impossible to love more." And further: "I will always be indebted to you. You gave me an unearthly pleasure from life. And if love exists, then know that we have it the most real."

But the couple's relationship was still not cloudless. And Clementine was complete opposite spouse.

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He is an owl, she is a lark. He is not very outwardly attractive, plump, heavy, prone to gluttony, addicted to alcohol and gambling. She is tall, slender, beautiful green-eyed brown-haired, always tastefully and elegantly dressed.

He is capricious, unpredictable, ambitious, ambitious, domineering to the point of despotism, capricious, a spendthrift with lordly manners, uncompromising, stubborn and busy more with politics than with his family. She is restrained, unspoiled, patient, thrifty, independent and active. And at the same time, persistent, purposeful, strong-willed Mrs. Churchill had strong moral principles and her own views. She had a sharp mind and a subtle sense of humor in English and spoke several foreign languages.

They say that with her virtues, Mrs. Churchill softened and leveled the shortcomings of her husband and positively influenced him. She was for Winston a true friend, a wise companion and a good adviser. Clementine told her husband the truth to her face, no matter how bitter she was, for example, that he knew nothing about the lives of ordinary people.

AT political career W. Churchill had ups and downs. He managed to visit many posts, but became famous as the Prime Minister of Great Britain and gained popularity among the people, showing himself to be a bold and enterprising leader after Great Britain entered the Second World War. world war. When Germany attacked the USSR, W. Churchill declared that Hitler was the common enemy of Great Britain and the USSR and promised support for the Soviet state.

But the Prime Minister was in no hurry to open a second front. And when he told his wife that it would take a long time to wait for this event, she wondered how she herself and - most importantly - could immediately help Soviet Union. After all, she received letters from many English women who asked her to persuade her husband to send troops to support the Red Army and were ready to send their beloved men - husbands, sons, brothers - to help the country desperately fighting the invaders. And then Clementine, independent by nature, created and headed the "Red Cross Fund for Aid to Russia" and herself made the first contribution to it. Then this initiative was picked up by members of her husband's government and also contributed their personal funds.

In September 1941, Mrs. Churchill appealed to her compatriots to support the USSR. She was so convincing that fellow citizens began to actively promote her. Initially, Mrs. Churchill planned to raise 1 million pounds, but 8 million was raised very quickly. And the money kept coming in. They bought everything you needed: equipment for hospitals, medicines, prostheses, clothes, food. We can say that this lady had her own front - she fought for the recovery of wounded Soviet soldiers.

In the spring of 1945, Clementine Churchill paid a visit to the USSR. She wanted to see with her own eyes where the aid she collected went, and to get to know better those who for several years in a row selflessly resisted fascism and whom she admired so much. She visited several cities (Leningrad, Stalingrad, Odessa, Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk and others), visited many hospitals, where she talked with the wounded, and spent a month and a half in the USSR. In Rostov-on-Don, K. Churchill is still remembered, because thanks to the equipment and supplies she sent, two hospitals were equipped. And the beds, which are called "Churchellikhins", were used until recently - their quality turned out to be so high. A memorial plaque hangs on one of the buildings of the Central City Hospital No. 1, on which the following inscription is carved: "Clementine Churchill, the founder of the Russian Relief Fund, was here in April 1945." beds".

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Those who met Madame Churchill said that it was difficult to recognize a foreigner in her - she behaved so simply and was so modestly dressed. Although at the same time the host side tried in every possible way to ensure the comfort of the guest, and even special chefs and pastry chefs were assigned to her, who accompanied her on a trip around the country. Mrs. Clementina also visited the house-museum of A.P. Chekhov in Yalta, where she left an entry in the book of honored guests. And thanks to this, we can learn that this wonderful lady considered the Russian writer a genius.

On May 9, K. Churchill met the victory in Moscow and on the same day spoke on the radio, reading out an open message from W. Churchill to I. Stalin. And then on May 11 she herself wrote a letter to the leader of the Land of Soviets, in which she wrote that she was happy to be in the days of Victory in the USSR. And Clementine Churchill was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor for her great services to the Soviet state and society and her activities to help our country. Upon her return to her homeland, the wife of the British Prime Minister wrote the book "My Visit to Russia". And, according to experts, she did not sin against the truth in anything.

The Churchills had five children - one son and four daughters. And it is difficult to say what more they brought to parents - joy or grief.

Baby Marigold died at the age of three from meningitis.

The eldest daughter Diana did not get along with her mother. She was fond of art, but did not achieve success in this field. When she got married, she gave birth to three children. But her marriage fell apart. And then depression, psychiatric hospitals and suicide followed.

Wayward Sarah - real beauty- dreamed about theater career, but her "star" plans were not destined to come true. Three marriages also did not live up to bright hopes. The woman was looking for consolation in alcohol. And although she outlived her parents and went into another world at the age of 68, she lived out her days in complete solitude.

Son Randolph also did not become the pride of the family. And, according to historians, from childhood he had a bad temper, was spoiled, arrogant, uncontrollable and did not really try to make an effort to achieve something. He served in the army, was engaged in diplomacy, politics, journalism. But not only to surpass, even to equal his father was beyond his power. It is said that, in the end, the father even broke off relations with him. What Clementine thought about this is hard to say. In a decent society, it was not customary to "wash dirty linen in public" and publicly complain about family troubles. And even after the death of her son, the mother continued to remain silent.

Parents.

But he continued political activity and gave rise to cold war", delivering the so-called Fulton speech on March 5, 1946. However, health increasingly failed the stubborn W. Churchill. And, finally, in April 1955 he left the post of Prime Minister of Great Britain, and in July 1964 last time attended a meeting of the House of Commons. He died on January 24, 1965. Left alone, Clementine in every possible way cherished the memory of her husband and unusually missed him. Mrs Churchill survived her husband by 12 years. She passed away on December 12, 1977 at the age of 92.

The timid young man nevertheless uttered the cherished words and received a “yes” in response. His name was Winston Churchill. In a couple of years, he will be idolized by the whole of Great Britain and respected by the whole world ...

failure in women

CHURCHILL went down in history as one of the outstanding politicians of the 20th century, the permanent prime minister of foggy Albion. But very little is known about his personal life. Born into an aristocratic family, Winston received all the privileges due to his origin. However, this did not at all make his childhood and youth happy. School years, which he spent in a boarding school, became for him the most unpleasant and joyless time. Just enrolled in military service to Sandhurst Academy, Winston finally felt he belonged.

Churchill's male upbringing and character did not contribute to his success with women. No wonder Winston didn't have great experience in love affairs. All the acquaintances of the future prime minister noted that in dealing with the ladies he was clumsy and clumsy. This domineering strong man lost in the presence of girls, often could not utter a word. In addition, the young aristocrat had another drawback: he did not like to dance. But in those days, dancing was considered almost the only way to get acquainted with a lady from high society. Winston had problems not only with the tender sex, but also with people from his environment. Churchill himself admitted that he was too restrained. “I often miss those little signs of attention that make friendship so warm and cordial,” he said. One of Winston's first serious hobbies was Lady Pamela Plowden.

India… A girl in a light dress. She looked up at the sky with her head thrown back, clouds reflected in her pupils. young daughter English resident Pamela struck him with her beauty. And for the first time in his life he decided on courtship, even timid ones. But ... the girl rejected the feelings of the future politician.

Those who did not grieve that Winston "resigned" were his friends. They thought that Miss Plowden would not have made a good match for him. In society, she has developed a reputation as a capricious and fickle young lady. But can a man in love hear the voice of reason? Of course, he did not agree with his friends. In one of the letters to relatives there are such words: "This is exactly the woman with whom I could live happily ever after."

He was older than her, she was good...

...YEARS passed, and Winston still did not want to part with single life. Apparently, the emotional wound due to Miss Plowden's refusal played its part. Churchill shifted all his attention to his career. But one day, fate gave him a surprise, deciding to bring him to the charmer Clementine Hozier. Winston met her at a London ball at Crewe House. Clementine was the daughter of one of Winston's mother's friends. When the girl was introduced to Churchill, he behaved extremely stiffly - he barely looked at her and did not utter a word. He didn't even invite me to dance. Then Clementine accepted an invitation to dance another gentleman. This ended the first meeting between Winston and Clemmie. But they parted ways to meet again. Four years later.

Churchill and Lady Hosier crossed paths at the dinner of Mrs. Helier, Clementine's aunt. Winston would not have made it to the party if not for his secretary, Eddie Marsh. He literally pulled Churchill out of the bath and persuaded him to go to dinner. Clementine, by the way, was also not going anywhere, because she did not have a suitable outfit. In addition, she could not find her ball gloves for a long time ... And yet the stars in the sky were formed in favor of this pair.

The second meeting of the future spouses was much better than the first. Churchill by that time had already become a fairly well-known politician and had learned courtesy. For five months, he sought the location of the girl. Until finally, on August 11, 1908, a touching scene took place in the gazebo of Blaineham Park - Churchill made a marriage proposal.

Best of the day

The young couple decided to schedule a wedding for September.

Their wedding was a big social event in London. Churchill and Clementine said "yes" to each other at St. Margaret's, Westminster. In a secular get-together, then for a long time they remembered the beautiful dress of the bride. White satin fell at her feet in large folds. She was charming. Winston presented the chosen one with diamond earrings, which she wore on her wedding day. Many recalled that even at his wedding, Winston was loyal to politics. Before the ceremony, when he saw Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd George, he took him aside and began to discuss with heat some serious issues that could not be postponed.

Among other differences, Winston and Clementine shared the difference in age. When they got married, he was 33 years old, and she was 24. And yet, neither age nor discrepancy in character prevented them from living happily. After all, it was a love marriage.

The newlyweds spent their honeymoon in Italy. And after returning from abroad, they settled in a mansion on Accton Street in London. This house became the family residence of the Churchills. Winston's bachelor apartment, of course, was not suitable for family housing. But he had to give up not only old apartment but also from the old way of life. This turned out to be the most difficult.

"Rabbit", "Kitten ..."

CHURCHILL and Clementine were completely different people. This couple confirmed the old truth that opposites attract. In society, everyone recognized that Clementine was a girl gifted not only with exceptional beauty, but also with an extraordinary mind. Therefore, she was forgiven for being too exacting and strict. She was distinguished by prudence, soberly assessed the problems. But her chosen one, on the contrary, was very windy. He never tried to build grandiose plans for the future, prescribing every step. Winston believed that he was already guaranteed victory. Such confidence infuriated Clemmie. The wife also hated Churchill's favorite game - roulette. Every time her husband went to the gambling table, she got upset.

Children are the fruit of this love. Diana was born first in 1909. Two years later, Randolph was born, then Sarah, Marigold. Mary was the youngest. Each child in the family was given affectionate nickname. For example, Diana was a Kitten, Randolph was a Rabbit. Spouses and each other came up with touching names. Winston's wife sometimes addressed - Mr. Pug, and he affectionately called her Cat.

Clementine was the only person who could handle Churchill's violent temper. Over the years, he became more and more quick-tempered, fell into prolonged depression. But in her presence he was transformed. great politician felt that in the person of Clemmy he found not only his wife, but also a true friend, colleague. Everyone knew about the special spiritual connection of the spouses. During World War II, Churchill lay ill in Cairo, emotionally exhausted, and the British command did not find a better solution than to send Clementine to England. Everyone was sure that only she could help him. Like an angel from heaven, she descended from the RAF plane and immediately rushed to the aid of her husband. When US President Roosevelt heard the news of Clementine's arrival in Cairo, he sent Churchill the following telegram: "Greetings to Clemmie! I calmed down when I learned that your commander is now with you.

Churchill lived a long and bright life. His wife was with him until the last day. And in sorrow and in joy. She always showed a keen interest in what her husband was doing. Clemmy even participated in the creation of Churchill's memoirs, but not as a writer, but as a critic. After reading the first volume, she criticized Winston for the abundance of unnecessary details and details he introduced into the text. And although Churchill resisted for a long time, he nevertheless agreed that his writings needed editorial correction. And today, only thanks to Clementine, we have the memoirs of the great politician in the form in which they are published.

Mrs. Churchill, to the last, defended her husband from other people's attacks and bullying. When, in honor of his 80th birthday, Winston was presented with a nightmarish portrait by Graham Sutherland, she destroyed the painting herself. After all, according to her, Sutherland portrayed her husband as a "swollen cruel monster." She also refused Salvador Dali, who also wanted to capture Churchill on canvas.

On January 30, 1965, Churchill left his Clementine. He died at the age of 90, having managed to celebrate the golden anniversary of the wedding.

This marriage was predicted no more than a year - they said that Churchill was not created for family life. But Union of Winston Churchill and Clementine Hozier lasted 57 years! One of the most prominent politicians twentieth century, Prime Minister of Great Britain Winston Churchill was often lost in the presence of ladies, did not know how to look after him beautifully, was clumsy and timid. Three times he received refusals in response to a marriage proposal, and only Clementine finally agreed and never regretted it later.