The Viscountess Astor | |
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 Bronwen with her husband,William Astor, 3rd Viscount Astor, on their wedding day | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Janet Bronwen Alun Pugh (1930-06-06)6 June 1930 London, England |
| Died | 28 December 2017(2017-12-28) (aged 87) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | |
| Occupation | fashion model psychotherapist |
Janet Bronwen Astor, Viscountess Astor (bornJanet Bronwen Alun Pugh; 6 June 1930 – 28 December 2017) was an English fashion model andpsychotherapist. She was muse to the couturierPierre Balmain, who called her one of the most beautiful women he had ever met.[3]
Born inLondon, Janet (generally known by her middle name, Bronwen) was raised inHampstead, which was then in the county ofMiddlesex. After the sudden death of a friend in 1951, she embarked on an inner journey of self-discovery culminating in 1959 in a profound mystical experience.[3]
Before her marriage, Bronwen had a career as "the most celebrated model of her generation" and, later, as aBBC television presenter. She was muse toPierre Balmain, theParisian couturier, who said she was one of the world's most beautiful women along withGreta Garbo,Vivien Leigh andMarlene Dietrich.[4]
In 1983, she trained as apsychotherapist, entering practice in 1986.[4]
On 14 October 1960, she marriedWilliam Astor, 3rd Viscount Astor (1907—1966) as his third wife. Viscount Astor, known to his family and friends as Bill Astor, was the eldest son ofWaldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, and his wife,Nancy, Viscountess Astor. Upon her marriage, Bronwen became the mistress ofCliveden House, the mansion which her mother-in-law had made famous with her political salons. Together, they were the parents of:[5]
Within three years of her marriage Bronwen's world was turned upside down by the infamousProfumo affair, which brought down Prime MinisterHarold Macmillan's government. Bill died from a heart attack in 1966, leaving Bronwen with two young daughters.[5] Bronwen left Cliveden with her daughters, to live in Tuesley Manor,Godalming,Surrey. She opened her new home to the homeless. When she left Tuesley it was sold for £1.85 million.[7]
Bronwen became a convert to theRoman Catholic faith, serving as anextraordinary minister at Holy Apostles Catholic Church,Pimlico.[8] She died on 28 December 2017.[4] Her biography,Bronwen Astor: Her Life and Times, written byPeter Stanford, was published in 2000.[9]
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