Jonathan Guinness, the 3rd Lord Moyne and a member of the prominent Guinness brewing family, has died at the age of 96. Guinness was known for his outspoken right-wing political stances, a complex personal life that included a long-term mistress while married, and brushes with financial ruin.
Born in 1930, Guinness was the elder son of Bryan Guinness and Diana Mitford, one of the six Mitford sisters. His childhood was shaped by his parents' divorce and his mother's remarriage to Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists. Guinness was notably the stepson of Mosley, and his family ties placed him in proximity to controversial political figures.
Guinness’s public life was marked by provocative statements and actions. In his youth, he reportedly greeted his aunt, the Communist writer Jessica Mitford, with a Nazi salute. Later, as an aspiring Conservative MP and vice chairman of the Right-wing Monday Club, he courted controversy by suggesting razor blades should be left in prison cells for murderers and inviting a former SS colonel to stay at his home.
His personal life was equally unconventional. Guinness was married twice and had a long-standing affair with Susan ‘Shoe’ Taylor, a former hippy and Oldham butcher’s daughter, with whom he had three children. He supported Taylor and their children while remaining married to his second wife, Suzanne. He described the arrangement as accepted by all parties, though reports suggested his wife tolerated it despite opposition.
Guinness experienced significant financial difficulties later in life, leading to bankruptcy in his 70s. He and Taylor eventually sold magnetic wristbands for arthritis sufferers. Despite his financial struggles, he remained involved in business, though his name was linked to scandals. He was cleared of embezzlement charges in 2001.
His daughter, Daphne Guinness, is a well-known fashion designer and socialite.
Guinness is survived by seven of his eight children. His eldest son, Valentine, succeeds him as the 4th Lord Moyne.