My primary contact with Marie Claire Baroness von Alvensleben was through the phone when making arrangements for our ensuing meeting. Many have portrayed her as adamant, challenging and difficult to deal with. While conversing along with her on the phone, she gives the impression of being matter-of-factly and distant, though her little bursts of giggles every now and again could possibly indicate otherwise. Soft spoken but with an authoritative voice that launches a flood of instructions, her relentless and unyielding yet gracious poise makes it clear to apprehend how things always effortlessly flow towards her direction. This is a woman who does not take no for an answer.

As I wait for her pondering as to what is in store for me, I reiterate everything I had read or heard about her. Certainly, her background and nobility title were the facets that intrigued and fascinated me the most. From the manner in which this designation is located between her first and last name I knew that she is a baroness by marriage. In pre-republican Germany all knightly families often distinguished by the prefix 'von', were eventually recognized as of baronial rank, with those families permanently holding this status being named Uradel or otherwise Original Nobility. The von Alvensleben is such a family.

My contemplation comes to an end the instant I am informed that the Baroness has arrived. Across me there is a woman like nothing I had imagined. Surely vociferous and forceful, she greets me with a smile and a firm handshake, her airy and bright presence lighting the room straight way. Even more stunning than the photographs I had seen of her either chatting away to a member of the upper crust or attending an event at Ascot, she is dressed in dark-coloured jeans, adorning a blouse of the same hue. Notwithstanding her casual wear, she radiates glamour and sophistication. At the same time, there is a noticeable familiarity and friendliness about her rendering her approachable.

"My ex-husband comes from a very old family that dates back to the 12th century. It is one of the oldest in Germany," she explains with a hint of pride for forming part of such an esteemed family. "They were originally from Prussia and his father was a very well educated man being able to speak seven languages. He enjoyed moving around and in fact, he lived in Darmstadt, Germany where he opened a theatre, he then got married and spent one month of his honeymoon with Lord Mountbatten in Corfu, another month in Alexandria at the palace of King Farouk in Egypt and one month at the Palace Hotel in Lugano, carrying 30 pieces of luggage ." Living at a time when the deadly infectious disease tuberculosis was thriving, von Alvensleben was unfortunate enough to be infected. Even as deaths were climaxing and the study, as well as treatment of the disease was still underdeveloped, the Baron had no other choice but to move to Arosa, a municipality in Switzerland famed for its tuberculosis sanatorium built by Dr Otto Herwig-Hold. His affluence was his ticket to being cured and once nursed back to health he continued to live the opulent life he was so accustomed to.
His laid-back life altered in disarray once the Second World War reached its peak and the family was directly impinged on by the landmark events of 1938. Whilst Adolf Hitler was forming the High Command of the Armed Forces that gave him direct control of the German military, the country was planning to go to war with Czechoslovakia and concentration camps such as the Mauthausen started being built, the Baron unwisely took the decision to scorn the Germans by writing with his stationary a vulgar word across the swastika, an action that could have proven to be grave during this dangerous and constantly shifting period. The move led to the confiscation of the von Alvensleben's belongings and wealth, driving the family towards total poverty. What in effect saved them from a more detrimental ending was him becoming a Swiss citizen, seeing that Switzerland had kept a stance of armed neutrality and was not involved military during the war.

But aware that when one divorces his spouse the noble title is dropped, I wondered why she still makes use of it. Illustrating that the designation has become a very part of her, she says: "We got divorced in a very friendly way and he allowed me to keep the name. After all we were married for 15 years." she justifies.
Belgian-born, Baroness von Alvensleben's education reveals a truly sterling and diverse schooling. "After secondary in Belgium, I moved to different countries to learn their language. I went for nine months to Cambridge, England to learn the language, I moved to Heidelberg in Germany to learn German, I then went to Venezuela and Spain to learn Spanish and finally to Geneva." Astounded by her urge to build fluency for a large amount of languages, I deemed that her initial aspiration and ambition were associated to a vocation in languages. "In Geneva I enrolled in the Interpreters School but I only did the translation part of the course since I thought that being an interpreter is very boring. But at the same time, I also did Political Science which I found very interesting and continued studying at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Internationales ." Nonetheless, there was one more fundamental reason for precluding to becoming a diplomat . Being Belgian meant that she could only work for the government and strongly opposing the political ideology of that period she refrained from joining this field. Her thirst for learning did not weaken, thus opting to add to her list of degrees gemology which she read in Idar Oberstein, Germany.Calling to mind a pleasant instance of that period, she exclaims:" In those days I was involved with a wonderful man, Sigfried Otto , owner of Giesiecke & Devrient , a company that prints banknotes in Munich. That relationship was probably the most important one in my life . For six years , while I was a student, we travelled all over the world in Sig's private plane and we went to the best hotels and restaurants . I was very spoilt indeed "

Much of her career has been centralized in publishing and public relations, something of a far cry in comparison to her education. Baroness von Alvensleben maintains that she embarked on this profession by coincidence. "I happened to meet somebody who was publishing a magazine called Members and was asked to start representing it. The publisher was German and the magazine was based on the idea of having people pay an amount of money and provide them with a card called Members. With this card they could go to the best clubs all over the world without having to be a member and we would then write about these clubs, the parties held there, while we also did some portraits of individuals. It was a small magazine in the beginning, but we went on to develop it into something bigger." From then onwards, she engaged in representing a score of French publications amongst which included The Best and Joyce. At the same time, she embarked on endeavors like launching a Swiss Vogue, with her friend Genevieve Armleder, ex-wife of the son of the owner of Le Richemond Hotel with whom she also did several "Livre du Richemond" which were published by Franco Maria Ricci . Regrettably despite her resilient efforts , the Swiss Vogue did not bear any fruit and folded.

Without any formal education on journalism and no prior experience in the discipline, I speculated that difficulties and obstacles would often come to the fore. "I did a lot of writing and interviews, but because I am not a journalist I would write articles in a very rough form, just including the basic information and then have someone edit them in the style of the magazine. But it was amazing !" she exclaims, going on to say that meeting different sorts of people was the most alluring aspect of the job.
Her marriage to Baron Bodo von Alvensleben in 1985 earmarked the dawn of a fascinating occupation in public relations. Mostly working part-time, she joined international luxury good company Hermés in Geneva, where she worked for seven years as a free lance , following a spell at Bulgari and ensuing for clients like Piaget, Boucheron and Van Clef & Arpels who were in need of someone to organize their events.
Involved in the hotel business all his life , her husband Bodo played a crucial role in expanding her contacts which would later on help her when publishing her very own magazine. Commencing by working for a series of luxury hotels such as the Suvretta in St Moritz, Les Bergues in Geneva and Brown's in London with the Bon family, Bodo spent the following 22 years in Bermuda where he built the Princess hotels with D.K. Ludwig, ensuing with building Casa de Campo together with Charlie Bludhorn in Santo Domingo . He then ran the Waldorf Towers in New York, ending his career at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne .

One thing the Baroness was mostly eminent for within high society was her magazine Coups d'Oeil. Sold in Geneva though largely distributed to a database of individuals she retained and gathered during her public relations period, around 12,000 copies of the magazine were published, with 6,000 of these sent to readers and the rest distributed to hotels. "There is a strange story behind how I started my own magazine. Back in 1991, a good friend of Jacques Souvairan, published a newsletter which was about gastronomy and tourism, but he had cancer and when he died his wife couldn't run it so she asked me to take over. Seeing that I already had the experience I agreed." she narrates, recounting a situation that brought both grief and new opportunities.

Originally entitled Le Clin d'Oeil de Marie-Claire, the newsletter was in black and white and contained eight to 10 pages. Encouraged by Yves Piaget who thought that the newsletter should become a colour magazine , she followed his advice. Still, thanks to an unpleasant event where other publishers employed the identical name prior to the establishment of the newsletter, the Baroness was compelled to alter it to Coups d'Oeil. "Do you know what it means?" she asks me. "Coups d'Oeil literally means 'overview' and this is why most of the articles were short. In the beginning I had a small team of people working for me, three journalists and myself. I was involved with everything and I spent many hours working on it." In effect, publishing the magazine ended up being much more demanding than anticipated, especially when it grew from being a small newsletter to a full-fledged magazine of 150 pages.
Flipping through a copy, I am taken aback by its rich content once taking into consideration the limited amount of individuals participating for the production of this publication. Looking from end to end, I notice that a section consists of articles that feature a foreign destination with inscriptions stating that they were written directly from that location. Enquiring whether traveling was part and parcel of the job, she nods emphatically to my question. "I was invited by the Ministry of Lebanon to do a big supplement on the country and I was hoping to get some financing from it. I had already been there for almost eight months and things were pretty miserable when a friend of mine invited me to Abu Dhabi." Yet once again, as in the case with Lebanon, much was promised but nothing was done. "I then decided to go to Dubai," she carries on, "and it was a very interesting place to discover because it was a period that marked the beginning of the boom but I was never paid , as promised by Sheikha Bushra , the then wife of HRH Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum, for the 250 page magazine she had asked me to publish on the Emirate ."
Running out of money , she made a final attempt in issuing an English version of the magazine and flew to London . A ray of light appeared on meeting a prospective partner. "I was looking for a partner but it was not easy because they all wanted to control everything and I did not want that to happen. I found a wonderful man, Ian Cullerne-Bown, who was very interested in the magazine , he had big ideas and he wanted to invest. He also wanted to marry me." she enthuses with a smile, In September 1999, a week before finalizing the business partnership, Ian passed away . "He had a stroke. I was devastated. It was terrible because I was losing a partner in business , as well as in life".

A last effort in publishing was made with the book Absolutely Everything About Cowes , Isle of Wight and the America's Cup Jubilee, with the aim to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the America's Cup , while make the Isle of Wight a more familiar destination . The book was well received but she did not gain the support she needed to publish a second one . Disillusioned, she concluded her career in publishing.
Recalling all the topics that we had touched upon during our conversation, I could recognize that her life has not always been painted with the brightest of colours. Observing her narrating the milestones along the years, I could see the different phases that aided her in toughening up and shaping her vibrant nature. Maintaining her composure marked by a perceivable aristocratic flair, we proceeded into our discussion. The Baroness admits that publishing has always been her first love and that having to give up the profession was a regrettable action. She believes that being short of luck in combination to not being easy to deal with and thus not being able to find the right partner, did not help the magazine uphold its status.

Reserving the hardship encountered so far and not ready to rest on her laurels, she established her own public relations company, "Absolutely Everything About Ltd." Putting people in touch, be it for business or pure social contacts, the company lives up to its name. From business networking such as investments, private banks and commodities, to elite and luxury shopping, as well as lifestyle like chauffeured and deluxe cars, etiquette and protocol, events and charities, private clubs, hotels and a series of other services are on offer by "Absolutely Everything About Ltd." "I put people in touch at all sorts of levels and if I do not know the answer to something, I know somebody who does. Quite simply, if you need to meet somebody or go somewhere I know how to open a lot of private doors anywhere in the world and help facilitate and enjoy the best of our world. If someone wants to meet a prince, a maharajah, a political figure, it can all be arranged."

When bringing to mind everything Baroness von Alvensleben has achieved, one thing is clear-cut; her love to dabble in a lot of things. "I like taking risks. I am a typical Gemini so I like changing. Sometimes it gets difficult because you have to adapt in every situation but I really like doing things I have interest in. I would be bored to do the same thing all the time," she eagerly says. In addition, she is every bit free spirited and independent and that is why she has always chosen to work either on her own or on a freelance basis. Her autonomy has also resulted in her not remarrying. "I am free, I'm on my own, I do whatever I want when I want and nobody bothers me."
Being so overly active, I imagined that having some free time is a far-fetched dream. "My work is my life and my passion. I am busy all the time because it is so connected with my life. I go out a lot to events and parties, I meet people and I really enjoy it. I like going to beautiful hotels, I enjoy good food and good wines . I am what they call an epicurean. I love to enjoy my life even though some of my friends tell me that I overdo it. Well, you only live once after all ."

Marie-Claire Baroness von Alvensleben, was born in Belgium. She studied languages in Cambridge, Heidelberg and Madrid and at the Interpreter's School in Geneva where she also studied Political Science. After studying Gemmology in Idar Oberstein, Germany, she became a professional Public Relations Consultant and Executive for various clients including international luxury goods companies, such as Hermès, Bulgari etc. For several years, she published a magazine related to lifestyle, gastronomy and tourism all over the world, which she published in Geneva, Lebanon, the U.A.E. and London. She published a book "Absolutely everything about Cowes", which also covered the 150th All this made her acquire a fantastic experience, to put people in touch at all sorts of levels be it for business or pure social contacts. If she does not know the answer to something, she will know somebody, who does.
Quite simply, if you need to meet somebody or go somewhere she will know how to open the private doors anywhere in the world and help facilitate and enjoy the best of our world. Her clients will get to experience the world the way it should be lived, with the personal touch. She can arrange "almost" everything - for the discerning, sophisticated traveller, be it for business of pleasure. Everything from staying at the best suite in the best hotel, flying in private jets and helicopters and being driven in the most luxurious limousines. She does not only know the top restaurants but the owners and chefs, not just the top hotels but also the hoteliers themselves. Her clients can expect, with her recommendation, to get one of the best table in a restaurant and special attention be it in a three Michelin star restaurant or in a bistro, best seats at the opera, for musicals or plays, have access to parties and social events when they are in town. If they want to meet a prince, a maharajah, political figures, Swiss bankers, get a school for the children etc., it can all be arranged.

She will also help organize memorable events in the most exclusive venues.

She is also a great networker introducing friends and business contacts. Marie-Claire has her own 'Coat of Arms'.

Her ex-husband, Baron Bodo von Alvensleben used to call her IMC "Incredible Marie-Claire". Maybe because she believes nothing is impossible....! anniversary of the America's Cup.

Rob Jobson

Journalist and Author of "Diana Closely Guarded Secret" with Ken Wharfe

Absolutely Everything About Cowes 

Absolutely Everything About Cowes is for lovers of sailing and beautiful boats and is a unique publication packed with information and stunning pictures. It provides a fascinating in-depth study into Cowes past and present, with 250 pages of history, characters, regattas and atmosphere, featuring an 88 page supplement of the 150th anniversary of the America's Cup 2001 regatta.

Aspects covered include the golden age of yachting - which was then the sport of Kings and gentry, the story of Cowes, Uffa Fox, the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Yacht Clubs, the regattas, places of cultural and historical interest, Beken of Cowes, Ratsey and Lapthorn, Spencer Rigging, hi-tech marine industries, GKN Westland Aerospace, as well as the best hotels on the Island. Also covered is the 31st America's Cup and GBR Challenge 2003.