Marion Thorpe, CBE 1926-2014

_. Marion Thorpe, CBE, concert pianist, co-founder of the Leeds Piano Competition, who died 6 March, 2014, aged 87, was the first wife of the late 7th Earl of Harewood (1923-2011), a first cousin of the Queen, and later wife of the disgraced Liberal party leader, Jeremy Thorpe (descended from the Norton-Griffiths Baronets).

She was born at Vienna, 18 Oct, 1926, as Maria Donata Nanetta Paulina Erwina Stein, but known as Marion, daughter of Erwin Stein (1885-1958), publisher, by his wife the former Sophie Bachmann (1883-1965); married 1stly, 29 Sept, 1949 (div 1967), the 7th Earl of Harewood (Earl E, 1812) (1923-2011), son of the 6th Earl of Harewood by his wife HRH The Princess Mary, Princess Royal, only daughter HM King George V, &c.

Three sons were born of the marriage, David, 8th Earl of Harewood (born 1950), the Hon James Lascelles (b 1953), and the Hon Jeremy Lascelles (b 1955).

She married 2ndly, 14 Mar, 1973, the Rt Hon (John) Jeremy Thorpe, MP (b 29 Apr, 1929), Leader of the Liberal party, &c, son of John Henry Thorpe b y his wife the former Ursula Norton-Griffiths (1903-92), scion of the baronets of that name.