EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Rachel Griffiths named as Rushdie's fifth wife

2022-10-15

EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Mystery as poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths is named as Sir Salman Rushdie’s fifth wife

As Sir Salman Rushdie slowly recovers from the assassination attempt that left him with ‘life-changing injuries’, he is being nursed back to health by the poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths.

And Rushdie’s great friend and fellow novelist Ian McEwan has suggested that the American versifier, known to him as Eliza, is now Sir Salman’s fifth wife.

Atonement and Amsterdam author McEwan says: ‘His wife, Eliza, is with him all the time.’

Talking about Rushdie’s injuries, McEwan says: ‘He’s been extremely ill. It was a very, very savage assault.

‘I’ve had some indirect contact with him and he’s going to be back with us. He’s strong, he’s a very courageous man. He’s got lots to say, and I’m sure we’re going hear from him again.’

McEwan does not give details of when Rushdie, 75, exchanged vows with Griffiths, who is 31 years his junior.

As Sir Salman Rushdie slowly recovers from the assassination attempt that left him with ‘life-changing injuries’, he is being nursed back to health by the poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths

And Rushdie’s great friend and fellow novelist Ian McEwan has suggested that the American versifier, known to him as Eliza, is now Sir Salman’s fifth wife

Sir Salman’s son, Zafar, tells me: ‘I’m afraid I don’t ever comment on my father’s private life.’

If Eliza is indeed the new Lady Rushdie, she would be following in the footsteps of Padma Lakshmi, 52, whom he divorced in 2007.

He was previously married to author Elizabeth West, U.S. novelist Marianne Wiggins and Clarissa Luard.

Rushdie was stabbed several times just before he was due to give a lecture in August in New York.

The suspect Hadi Matar’s motives for the alleged attack are still under investigation. He entered a not guilty plea.

Iranian leaders have argued for Rushdie to be killed for writing the 1988 book The Satanic Verses and the author lived under police protection for years.

Zafar said: ‘Though his injuries are severe, his usual feisty and defiant sense of humour remains intact.’

Rushdie’s spokesman declined to comment.

For Vicky, crime does pay (on TV)

Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure, who looked a million dollars at the National Television Awards, can now boast a fortune even bigger than that.

The actress (right), 39, now has funds of £1.1 million in Vicky McClure Ltd, the business she uses to channel her earnings.

Latest accounts disclose that the shareholder funds had almost doubled in the year to March.

Previously, McClure, who played DI Kate Fleming in the hit BBC crime drama, had paid herself £93,000, and £121,000 the year before.

She lives a relatively modest existence in a four-bedroom detached home in the East Midlands with fiance, actor and writer Jonny Owen.

Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure, who looked a million dollars at the National Television Awards, can now boast a fortune even bigger than that

While many Ukrainians are fleeing their war-torn country, Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova reveals that her mother is going in the other direction.

‘It is very difficult right now,’ the dance professional tells me at a red-carpet event in London.

‘My mum is flying back to look after my grandmother, and we’re trying to get her to the UK.’

Nadiya, who is partnered with Eighties pop star Matt Goss in the new series, adds: ‘It’s a tough one, but I am trying to do everything I can to support and keep them safe.’

The smart set’s talking about… Heiress Ellie’s media match

After his third divorce, Sir Michael Leighton, 11th baronet, of Loton Park, Shropshire, wondered if his best bet for another marriage would be to ‘put an advert in the paper [saying]:“Old cock wants fresh hen”.’

But, refraining from doing so, he remarried the third of his ex-wives, Diana, six years later.

Now, they are celebrating the engagement of their daughter, Ellie, 30 — Sir Michael’s only child by his three wives — to Ed Graham, 36, son of the late Alan Graham, regional newspaper magnate and one-time Monaco tax exile.

‘They make a very attractive couple,’ a friend tells me. ‘Ellie (pictured) is so pretty and Ed is a good-looking lad.’

Sir Michael, 87, may soon be ready to entrust them with the running of 60-room Loton — childhood home of film director Guy Ritchie, whose mother was the first of Sir Michael’s brides.

While Ellie has honed her marketing skills working for rarefied concierge service Quintessentially, a bit of the Graham family fortune will come in handy. An admirer murmurs: ‘Loton needs plenty of restoration.’

Kimberley and a rolling stone

Made In Chelsea star Kimberley Garner should clearly stay put in the wealthy enclave in West London. For, when she ventures out, trouble ensues.

At the National Television Awards, in Wembley, North London, she lost a diamond ring said to be worth £5,000 on the red carpet.

The swimwear designer, 31, was lent two rings by Hassanzadeh Jewellery but, to her horror, she discovered one had fallen off her black satin gloves.

It was later found by celebrity TV chefs Phil Vickery and Lisa Faulkner, who handed it in to security.

But it has still not been returned to a distraught Garner (left). ‘I can’t think of anything else,’ she tells me.

Made In Chelsea star Kimberley Garner should clearly stay put in the wealthy enclave in West London. For, when she ventures out, trouble ensues

The Duke of Sussex is not the only Harry facing a dilemma over the date chosen for the Coronation.

May 6 happens to be the birthday of Harry and Meghan’s son, Archie, but it’s also when the Badminton Horse Trials are due to take place on the Gloucestershire estate of Harry, Duke of Beaufort.

‘This has put a spanner in the works,’ one of his friends tells me. Badminton is the biggest money-spinner of the year for the rock musician duke, known as Bunter.

Zara Tindall will certainly be keen for Bunter to switch dates — she often competes at Badminton and would, of course, want to attend the coronation of her uncle, King Charles.

How Lily Cole let go of her shame

It was one of the most popular TV shows of all time, but that didn’t prevent American sitcom Friends from inducing feelings of unease in Lily Cole.

‘All the cultural references made everything sound very straight, and anything lesbian or gay feel very negative,’ says the model, who declared herself ‘queer’ last year.

‘It took me a long time to let go of shame and be proud of the fact I’m attracted to women as well as men.’

Cole, 34, who has a daughter, Wylde, with boyfriend Kwame Ferreira, says she ‘had several experiences that I’ve enjoyed with women’.

Speaking on the Homo Sapiens podcast, she explains that in her late 20s: ‘I had a relationship with a woman which was amazing and felt really great.’

It was one of the most popular TV shows of all time, but that didn’t prevent American sitcom Friends from inducing feelings of unease in Lily Cole

(Very) modern manners

Michelin-Starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has conjured up the perfect recipe to persuade his children to speak French at home — he won’t feed them unless they do.

‘When the kids come down for their breakfast, they don’t get anything to eat unless they communicate properly,’ his Irish wife Michelle Kennedy tells me. ‘It has really made their French come along.’

Prince Michael’s firm loses £200k

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s opaque business, Cantium Services, earned £425,700 in 15 months — but still managed to make a loss.

Newly released accounts for the firm, which employs five, show that staff costs ate up nearly £332,000 of its turnover and a further £210,000 went in unexplained ‘other charges’.

It meant the company made a loss of £117,400 over 15 months to the end of June, coming on top of £121,600 losses the year before.

Overall losses in the firm, which provides ‘professional, scientific and technical activities’, according to Companies House, now total £206,000.

Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, who turned 80 this year, works as a business consultant, offering advice to the construction, telecommunications, insurance, finance and tourism industries.

His wife, Marie-Christine, 77, nicknamed ‘Princess Pushy’ because of her supposedly assertive personality, has written books and earns money as a public speaker.

Lady Macca’s style note: We can wear it out

Married to probably the most famous pop star in the world, Nancy Shevell is happy to wear her devotion on her sleeve.

The American businesswoman, 62, was spotted with husband Sir Paul McCartney, 80, dressed in a ‘Get Back’ sweatshirt emblazoned with images of The Beatles performing, including the late John Lennon, inset above.

Her choice of outfit will have pleased her stepdaughter Stella, 51, as it’s from the fashion designer’s range.

Married to probably the most famous pop star in the world, Nancy Shevell is happy to wear her devotion on her sleeve

The images on it comes from the Fab Four’s 1968 performance on The David Frost Show, which was filmed in Twickenham, South-West London.

Macca looked similarly sporty in a hooded jacket over a white T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and a pair of sandals with socks.

Anyone hoping to copy Lady McCartney’s casual look will need deep pockets, as it costs £450.

No doubt Stella gives her a discount . . .

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