Charles Cadogan, 8th Earl Cadogan
Charles Cadogan, 8th Earl Cadogan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 March 1937 |
| Died | 11 June 2023 (aged 86) |
| Occupation(s) | Aristocrat, landowner, businessman |
| Known for | Landowner of Chelsea; Chairman of Chelsea Football Club (1981–1982) |
| Notable work | Cadogan Estates |
Charles Gerald John Cadogan, 8th Earl Cadogan, (24 March 1937 – 11 June 2023), known as Viscount Chelsea until 1997, was a British billionaire aristocrat and influential landowner.
Early life and education
Born to William Gerald Charles Cadogan, 7th Earl Cadogan and Primrose Lilian Yarde-Buller, he succeeded to the title of Earl Cadogan upon his father's passing in 1997. He was a first cousin of the Aga Khan IV, the spiritual head of the Ismaili community.
His education was completed at Ludgrove School followed by Eton College.
Military service
In April 1956, Cadogan received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards during his national service. By September 1957, he transitioned to the Army Emergency Reserve and attained the rank of lieutenant in December that year. His active military involvement ended in March 1961 when he transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers.
Career
Between 1981 and 1982, Cadogan held the position of chairman at Chelsea Football Club. He also served as a Governor at Culford School in Suffolk. In the 1990s, he owned Peter Guild Ltd, a manufacturer specializing in luxury upholstered furniture based in Bedfordshire, now operating out of Long Eaton.
In 1996, he was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) for Greater London.
The Sunday Times Rich List 2023 placed his family at 36th among the wealthiest in the UK, with an estimated net worth of £5.57 billion. Among UK peers residing domestically, he ranked third richest after Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster and Lord Bamford. The Cadogan family fortune stems from extensive land assets managed by Cadogan Estates, which includes significant portions of Chelsea such as much of Sloane Street and Cadogan Hall.
Bloomberg estimated his wealth exceeded $6 billion as of July 2021.
Honours
- Awarded the Salvation Army Cross of the Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service in 1970 for outstanding contributions by non-members
- Named a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) during the 2012 Birthday Honours for philanthropic efforts
Marriages and children
On 6 June 1963, Cadogan wed Lady Philippa Wallop (1937–1984), daughter of Gerard Wallop, 9th Earl of Portsmouth. They had three children: two sons and one daughter:
- Lady Anna-Karina Cadogan (born 4 February 1964)
- Edward Charles Cadogan, 9th Earl Cadogan (born 10 May 1966)
- Hon William John Cadogan (born 9 November 1973)
His second marriage was to etiquette authority Jennifer Rae from 1989 until their separation in 1994. Later that year, he married Dorothy Ann Shipsey, formerly matron at King Edward VII Hospital for Officers.
Death
Cadogan passed away on 11 June 2023 at age 86. His eldest son Edward inherited his titles; Edward attended St David's College, Llandudno and served with the RAF during the first Gulf War.