Mdivani
| Company type | Noble family |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Georgia |
Area served | Georgia, France, United States |
Key people | General Zakhari Mdivani, Nina Mdivani, Serge Mdivani, David Mdivani, Isabelle Roussadana Mdivani, Alexis Mdivani |
The Mdivani family () represents a Georgian noble lineage, classified within the aznauri rank, which corresponds to the untitled nobility in Georgia.
History
Beyond Georgian borders, the most prominent members were the offspring of General Zakhari Mdivani (1867–1933), who served as aide-de-camp to the Tsar of Russia, and his wife Elizabeth Viktorovna Sabalewska (1884–1922), a Georgian-Polish socialite known for her association with Rasputin. Following the Soviet invasion of Georgia in 1921, the five siblings escaped to France and the United States without financial resources. They gained notoriety as the "Marrying Mdivanis," due to their strategic marriages into affluent and influential families. Their pervasive presence in the media positioned them as early exemplars of what is now recognized as "lifestyle celebrity." Their impact was acknowledged by Dale Carnegie in his work How to Win Friends and Influence People, where he termed it the "Mdivani Spell." Additionally, F. Scott Fitzgerald cited them as emblematic of celebrity culture; their name influenced fashion trends and culinary creations. Their prominence even reached the attention of a U.S. congressional hearing in 1935.
The Mdivani siblings included:
- Nina Mdivani (1901–1987) initially wed Professor Charles Henry Huberich and subsequently Denis Conan Doyle, son of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, assisting in managing the Sherlock Holmes estate until Denis's passing in 1955. She later married poet Anthony 'Tony' Harwood, with whom she co-managed the estate until his death in 1976. Nina authored collections of Georgian folk stories and notable articles, maintaining close relationships with figures such as Toto Koopman, Duchess of Bedford, Barbara Cartland, and Helena Rubinstein. She was a muse for designers like Balenciaga, featured in Vogue, and appeared in Andy Warhol’s Polaroid portraits. She passed away in London in 1987.
- Serge Mdivani (1903–1936), an alumnus of Phillips Academy, briefly worked in Oklahoma’s oil industry before relocating to Los Angeles where he married actress Pola Negri in 1927. After Negri lost her wealth during the 1929 market crash, their marriage ended. Serge then married soprano Mary McCormic, who admired his sophisticated lifestyle. Following their separation, he wed Louise Astor Van Alen but tragically died five weeks later due to a polo accident in Florida.
- David Mdivani (1904–1984), also educated at Phillips Academy, began working at a New York radio repair shop before pursuing acting. In 1926 he married Hollywood actress and producer Mae Murray, with Rudolph Valentino serving as best man; they had a son whose existence was kept confidential. After their divorce, David engaged in several high-profile relationships before marrying Sinclair Oil heiress Virginia Sinclair in 1944; this marriage ended amid controversy. He established Pacific Shore Oil Company with investments from Hollywood figures. David succumbed to a heart attack in 1984.
- Isabelle Roussadana Mdivani (1906–1938), known as Roussie or Roussy, earned acclaim as a sculptor renowned for busts of celebrities including U.S. President Calvin Coolidge among others. At age 17, she exhibited at Paris’s Spring Salon and created the Lafayette Escadrille trophy design. She married Spanish painter Josep Maria Sert, entering into a notable ménage à trois with his former wife Misia Sert. Roussy inspired designers such as Coco Chanel and was photographed by leading artists; her influence extended to fashion trends and cultural works. She died at 33 in Lausanne.
- Alexis Mdivani (1908–1935), privately educated in England, was involved with high-profile figures including French star Mistinguett and American actress Kay Francis. His engagement plans faced aristocratic resistance; he married Louise Astor Van Alen but divorced following an alleged affair with heiress Barbara Hutton, whom he wed in 1933 amid widespread publicity. Alexis was known for lavish parties and luxury possessions like their Venice palazzo and yacht Ali Baba. An accomplished polo player, he promoted the sport internationally and supported Georgian émigré efforts opposing Soviet control. Alexis died at 27 from injuries sustained in a car accident.
In late feudal Georgia, the term "mdivani" referred to an official who assisted with court proceedings.
Prominent Figures
- Marina Mdivani, a virtuoso pianist of Georgian descent who gained recognition in both the Soviet Union and Canada
- Polikarp Mdivani, a Georgian Bolshevik and an official within the Soviet administration
External links
- The Mdivani Saga – comprehensive family biography, October 2024
- How an Early Hollywood Family Became the Original Kardashians – featured in Los Angeles Magazine, December 2016