The Onassis Women: An Eyewitness Account

The cliche "Money can't buy happiness" and its waggish footnote "but there are plenty of other selections" are both proven true in The Onassis Women by Kiki Feroudi Moutsatsos, former secretary to Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. As reverential as it is revelatory, this chatty discourse begins in 1966. Thus, one misses much of the mogul's early years, such as his days hawking neckties on Buenos Aires streets. Nonetheless, the slice of life the author did share with Onassis and his women is juicy enough to sate the hungriest curiosity. Is there anyone extant who doesn't know that the aforementioned women included Jackie Kennedy Onassis and tempestuous diva Maria Callas? That these iconic ladies shared him makes the story even more intriguing. At center stage is, of course, Aristotle Onassis, "part god, part mortal" - a modern day Croesus, albeit a mercurial one, small in stature yet larger than life. Oft described as a cunning, predatory wheeler-dealer, he is presented here as an energetic, intelligent man whose craggy face could blacken with anger or soften with compassion. Equally adept at dictating and doting was his older sister, Artemis, who adored and feared the titan, as did his two half-sisters Merope and Kalliroi. However, it was 90-pound, fashionably dressed, vodka sipping Artemis who played a major role in this contemporary Greek tragedy. Although married to an eminent surgeon, she saw herself as an Onassis first, hosting celebrity studded dinners in her 100-year old villa, and becoming confidante/advisor to her brother's famous American bride. Tina Livanos, Onassis's first wife, whom he married when she was 17, receives scant attention. Blond, tall and beautiful, she gave him two children, Alexander and Christina. Of his marriage to Tina, Onassis said it was as if he'd had three children rather than two. A 3-week 1959 cruise on the Christina, Onassis's sumptuous yacht, with Tina, Sir Winston and Lady Churchill, Artemis, Maria Callas and their respective husbands made waves and headlines. Following that voyage Tina sued Onassis for divorce citing adultery, and Maria Callas left her husband declaring she loved Onassis. Disembarking the ship Maria wore a bracelet engraved TMWL (To Maria With Love). "Tina already owned a bracelet with the initials TTWL, and Jackie would receive her TJWL a few years later." The nine -year Callas/Onassis liaison was a vesuvian match notable for vitriolic quarrels followed by passionate reconciliations. Artemis disapproved of this pairing, deeming "the Tigress," as she called Maria, "of peasant stock." Apparently, Onassis also considered Maria unmarriageable. Refusing to let her rearrange furniture in her shipboard suite, he said, "Never forget, my darling, you are not the housewife here. You are only a guest." Despite his sometimes public disparagement, it is said that Maria truly loved Onassis, giving up her career and suffering two abortions to please him. In 1968, when Onassis l

I have read numerous books on Jackie O and feel this INSIDERS view of Jackie speaks volumes. One learns about the close relationships she had with her sisters-in-law, the strained ones with Christina and Alexander, and the fullfilling relationship she had with Aristotle Onassis. All of the world wondered what she saw in him and this book answers that. I would suggest one reads this book FIRST before any other Onassis bashing book so that both sides of Jackie's later years are explained.

I have read numerous books on Jackie O and feel this INSIDERS view of Jackie speaks volumes. One learns about the close relationships she had with her sisters-in-law, the strained ones with Christina and Alexander, and the fullfilling relationship with Aristotle Onassis. The world wondered what she saw in Onassis and this book provides many answers. READ THIS BOOK FIRST before any other Onassis bashing novel so that both sides of Jackie's later years are explained.

I've always been interested on the Onassis' family but I've never read anything much about them until this book of Ms. Mouttsatsos. This book gives us an understanding of the famous Greek family and how hard their life was. A very good book.

Usually, when reading biographies, you get an author's version, romanticized or warped, raving or critical. But this author has an innocent voice, one of a young person who simply allowed each of the Onassis family their own role, without analyzing, criticizing, or eulogizing. I could sense the real life of each person, the heart life, as Kiki describes their words and manners, the tones of voice when speaking to each other. The book implies much more than it puts into words, with its honesty and open-heartedness. The tears and tragedies were real,too. The Greeks live life fully, and draw the spirit of each scene in. Jackie O. was given a true portrait. Kiki didn't miss much as she escorts the reader through many encounters and shares what no one was ever allowed to know. From inside the walls around wealthy, powerful people, we see their vulnerability in love and in death. My heart was greatly moved. Makes me glad my life is simple!