‘She not only survived but thrived’: Unforgettable socialite (70) passes away
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Australian high society has seen its share of remarkable lives, but few as unforgettable as hers.
From a dazzling world of privilege and prestige to a moment that made global headlines, she faced life's triumphs and trials with grace.
Now, her story enters its final chapter, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, warmth, and an indelible mark on those who knew her.
Australian socialite Primrose Dunlop passed away on 5 February 2025 at the age of 70.
The daughter of Lady Primrose Potter and heiress to a $60 million fortune, Dunlop had been in full-time care since 2022 after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
Her mother, Lady Potter, honoured her memory with a $1 million donation to The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.
‘My daughter, Primrose, has lost her battle with frontotemporal dementia—a heart-wrenching disease,’ Lady Potter said in a statement released by Florey.
The family planned a private memorial service and requested donations to dementia research in place of flowers.
Dunlop led a vibrant life among Australia’s elite, gaining international attention in 1990 when her fiancé, Qantas flight steward Lorenzo Montesini, left her at the altar in Venice.
Montesini, who also went by the titles Prince Giustiniani, Count of the Phanaar, Knight of St Sophia, and Baron Alexandroff, abandoned the wedding.
He eloped with his best man, Robert Straub.
The extravagant nuptials were to be held at Venice’s Basilica di San Pietro, followed by a grand regatta of gondolas and a candlelit reception at Palazetto Pisani.
The Potters had flown in 70 high-profile guests, including American author Barbara Taylor Bradford and socialite Evelyn Lambert, for what was meant to be the social event of the year.
Lady Potter had also arranged for jet-setting priest Father Vincent Kiss—later exposed for financial and sexual misconduct—to officiate the ceremony.
Days before the wedding, tensions rose, and Montesini made his sudden exit, turning the event into a global scandal.
Journalist Andrew Hornery paid tribute to Dunlop, writing, ‘Vale Primrose "Pitty Pat" Dunlop. Star of one of Australia’s great society scandals, left at the altar in Venice when the groom eloped with his best man.’
‘She not only survived but thrived for many years, an exemplar of getting on with it despite the enormous scrutiny surrounding her.’
Dunlop had always downplayed the significance of Montesini’s royal claims, calling it ‘a load of rubbish,’ but the relationship had long been the subject of speculation.
Their engagement had been orchestrated by Montesini and Straub, partly to provide Dunlop with travel benefits through Qantas, which at the time were unavailable to same-sex partners.
Despite doubts surrounding Montesini’s aristocratic lineage, Lady Potter supported the union, and the couple posed for formal engagement photos in Montesini’s Sydney terrace home.
After the Venice fiasco, Dunlop moved to Melbourne, where she married real estate agent Count Jerzy Krasicki v Siecin in 1993, becoming Countess Krasicki v Siecin.
The couple had a daughter, Zofia, in 1994, and Dunlop largely withdrew from public attention.
Meanwhile, Montesini and Straub remained together until Straub’s death from HIV-related complications in 1995.
Montesini later described the wedding as ‘midsummer madness’ and admitted he had felt trapped as events spiralled beyond his control.
‘I was in this bubble… I tried to be as sane as I could. But it did get completely out of hand [and] I found myself on a plane heading for Italy,’ he said.
He recalled that the final breaking point came when he was expected to pay for a lavish lunch in Venice.
‘With the rich…they can spend millions on you and yet you can fall out over a taxi fare,’ he said.
Dunlop’s later years were marked by the loss of her husband and her declining health.
Following her confinement to full-time care, her Melbourne home in Brighton East was sold, and its contents auctioned.
Lady Potter’s donation to The Florey Institute in her daughter’s full name, ‘Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin,’ would support research into better diagnosis and treatments for frontotemporal dementia.
Florey’s executive director, Peter van Wijngaarden, expressed gratitude for the contribution, stating: ‘With the generous donation in honour of Countess Krasicki v Siecin from the Potter family, a team of Florey researchers will investigate better ways to diagnose FTD and other dementias.’
‘We hope that this research will pave the way to improved diagnosis and treatments.’
Primrose Dunlop’s life was filled with glamour, heartbreak, and resilience, leaving behind a story that won’t be forgotten.
May she rest in peace.
From a dazzling world of privilege and prestige to a moment that made global headlines, she faced life's triumphs and trials with grace.
Now, her story enters its final chapter, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, warmth, and an indelible mark on those who knew her.
Australian socialite Primrose Dunlop passed away on 5 February 2025 at the age of 70.
The daughter of Lady Primrose Potter and heiress to a $60 million fortune, Dunlop had been in full-time care since 2022 after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
Her mother, Lady Potter, honoured her memory with a $1 million donation to The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.
Socialite Primrose Dunlop dies at 70. Image source: Andrew Taylor/Fairfax Media
‘My daughter, Primrose, has lost her battle with frontotemporal dementia—a heart-wrenching disease,’ Lady Potter said in a statement released by Florey.
The family planned a private memorial service and requested donations to dementia research in place of flowers.
Dunlop led a vibrant life among Australia’s elite, gaining international attention in 1990 when her fiancé, Qantas flight steward Lorenzo Montesini, left her at the altar in Venice.
Montesini, who also went by the titles Prince Giustiniani, Count of the Phanaar, Knight of St Sophia, and Baron Alexandroff, abandoned the wedding.
He eloped with his best man, Robert Straub.
The extravagant nuptials were to be held at Venice’s Basilica di San Pietro, followed by a grand regatta of gondolas and a candlelit reception at Palazetto Pisani.
The Potters had flown in 70 high-profile guests, including American author Barbara Taylor Bradford and socialite Evelyn Lambert, for what was meant to be the social event of the year.
Lady Potter had also arranged for jet-setting priest Father Vincent Kiss—later exposed for financial and sexual misconduct—to officiate the ceremony.
Days before the wedding, tensions rose, and Montesini made his sudden exit, turning the event into a global scandal.
Journalist Andrew Hornery paid tribute to Dunlop, writing, ‘Vale Primrose "Pitty Pat" Dunlop. Star of one of Australia’s great society scandals, left at the altar in Venice when the groom eloped with his best man.’
‘She not only survived but thrived for many years, an exemplar of getting on with it despite the enormous scrutiny surrounding her.’
Dunlop had always downplayed the significance of Montesini’s royal claims, calling it ‘a load of rubbish,’ but the relationship had long been the subject of speculation.
Their engagement had been orchestrated by Montesini and Straub, partly to provide Dunlop with travel benefits through Qantas, which at the time were unavailable to same-sex partners.
Despite doubts surrounding Montesini’s aristocratic lineage, Lady Potter supported the union, and the couple posed for formal engagement photos in Montesini’s Sydney terrace home.
After the Venice fiasco, Dunlop moved to Melbourne, where she married real estate agent Count Jerzy Krasicki v Siecin in 1993, becoming Countess Krasicki v Siecin.
The couple had a daughter, Zofia, in 1994, and Dunlop largely withdrew from public attention.
Meanwhile, Montesini and Straub remained together until Straub’s death from HIV-related complications in 1995.
Montesini later described the wedding as ‘midsummer madness’ and admitted he had felt trapped as events spiralled beyond his control.
‘I was in this bubble… I tried to be as sane as I could. But it did get completely out of hand [and] I found myself on a plane heading for Italy,’ he said.
He recalled that the final breaking point came when he was expected to pay for a lavish lunch in Venice.
‘With the rich…they can spend millions on you and yet you can fall out over a taxi fare,’ he said.
Dunlop’s later years were marked by the loss of her husband and her declining health.
Following her confinement to full-time care, her Melbourne home in Brighton East was sold, and its contents auctioned.
Lady Potter’s donation to The Florey Institute in her daughter’s full name, ‘Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin,’ would support research into better diagnosis and treatments for frontotemporal dementia.
Florey’s executive director, Peter van Wijngaarden, expressed gratitude for the contribution, stating: ‘With the generous donation in honour of Countess Krasicki v Siecin from the Potter family, a team of Florey researchers will investigate better ways to diagnose FTD and other dementias.’
‘We hope that this research will pave the way to improved diagnosis and treatments.’
Primrose Dunlop’s life was filled with glamour, heartbreak, and resilience, leaving behind a story that won’t be forgotten.
May she rest in peace.
