Tomorrow, Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein and Ralph Worthington V will tie the knot in Italy, marking a significant union between a European royal and a member of the Worthington family. This is not the first time a Worthington has married someone who would eventually become a European royal, as the family has a rich history of intermarriage with European nobility.
George Ely Worthington, the first Mister Worthington to marry an eventual European princess, was married to Nonnie May Stewart, who was described as a beautiful and charming woman. The couple’s marriage was marked by a strong sense of loyalty to their Western home, with Mrs. Worthington preferring to stay in Cleveland rather than play a social part in other cities. This loyalty and commitment to their roots are traits that have been passed down through generations of Worthingtons, making their marriage a significant milestone in the family’s history.
who was Nonnie May Stewart, the first wife of George Ely Worthington
what was Nonnie May Stewart’s life like before she married George Ely Worthington
what was Nonnie May Stewart’s family life like growing up
Tomorrow, Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein and Ralph “Rafe” Worthington V will marry in Italy. The bride is the daughter of Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein and Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg. The groom is the son of Ralph Worthington IV and Lucinda Earle Morrissey. However, this will not be the first time that a member of the Worthington family marries a European royal…or, more accurately, this is not the first time that a Worthington marries someone who eventually became a European royal.
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| Mrs George Ely Worthington. Photo by Ryder of Cleveland, Ohio. Image appeared in Munsey’s Magazine, 1898. |
“Mrs George Ely Worthington is one of those brunettes whom natures sketches in with a soft touch. She has none of the flash and the hard brightness that often keep us aloof from dark eyed beauties. Her face expresses tranquillity and sweetness, and her eyes have a touch of alluring mystery. Mrs Worthington has lived all her life in Ohio, going to school at Columbus, and, as Miss Mamie Stuart, taking a prominent share in all the gaiety that went on in the State capital. She has always been very loyal to her Western home, not caring to play a social part in other cities so long as Cleveland had such a ready welcome for her.” This was how Nonnie May Stewart, the first wife of George Ely Worthington, was described on page 414 of Munsey’s Magazine of New York in 1898.
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| The marriage certificate of Ralph Worthington and Helen Ely. |
Born on 7 May 1872 at Cleveland, Ohio, George Ely Worthington was the first child of Ralph Worthington (1841-1925) and Helen Harmon Ely (1852-1908), who married on 8 June 1871. George’s paternal grandparents were George Worthington and Maria Cushman Blackmar. His maternal grandparents were George Ely and Gertrude Sophia Harmon.
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| The marriage licence of George Worthington and Nonnie Stewart. |
On 1 October 1894, George Ely Worthington married Nonnie May Stewart, the daughter of William Charles Stewart and Mary Holden. The couple’s marriage was dissolved on 23 March 1899; George and Nonnie did not have children.
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| The marriage license of William Leeds and Nonnie Stewart Worthington. |
George’s former wife Nonnie May Stewart was remarried on 3 August 1900 to William Bateman Leeds, an industrialist who amassed a fortune through the tin industry. The Leeds couple had one son, William Bateman Leeds Jr. Nonie Stewart Worthington Leeds was widowed in 1908 upon the death of her husband, and she inherited a great deal of his wealth. On 1 February 1920, Nonie (or Nancy, as she was sometimes known) married Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark, the youngest child of King George I of the Hellenes and his wife Queen Olga (née Grand Duchess of Russia). Nonie converted to the Greek Orthodox faith. She used her largesse to assist the Greek royal family, which was much appreciated by her in-laws. As a result, she was accorded the title and style of HRH Princess Anastasia of Greece and Denmark by her brother-in-law, King Constantine I. In 1921, her son William “Billy” Leeds married Princess Xenia Georgievna of Russia, the niece of her husband Christopher. Princess Anastasia of Greece died in 1923.
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| The grave of George E Worthington. |
Meanwhile, Princess Anastasia’s first husband had also remarried and had children. On 11 April 1899, George Ely Worthington married Lavinia Zenana Curtis (previously married to Harry Pinkley). The couple divorced in 1906 and did not have issue.
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| A report of the wedding of George Worthington and Ethel Coons. |
On 15 June 1907, George married Ethel May Coons. The Worthingtons then moved to California, where George became a photographer. The couple had two sons, Ralph Worthington (1908-1996) and Eugene Worthington (1910-1993; married Rayola Weitzel). On 31 January 1915, George E Worthington married Virginia Bridges. The couple had one daughter, Virginia Marguerite Worthington (1921-1986; married William Jay Settle).
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| The obituary of George Worthington. |
George Ely Worthington died on 22 August 1950 at the age of seventy-seven. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale.
In 1913, five years after the death of his mother Helen, George’s rather aged father Ralph married a much younger Ethel Burdette of Valdosta, Georgia. Ralph and Ethel had three children, including one son, Ralph Worthington III. Ralph Worthington III married Margaret Talmadge in 1943; the couple had one son, Ralph Worthington IV. In 1984, Ralph Worthington IV married Lucinda Earle Morrisey; the following year, the Worthingtons welcomed the arrival of their first son, Ralph Worthington V. In 2019, Ralph Worthington V became engaged to Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein.
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| Rafe Worthington and Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein at the 2019 wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon and Countess Olympia von Arco. Photo (c) Schneider-Press/SIPA/Shutterstock. |
Ralph Worthington V is the great-nephew of George Ely Worthington, who was the first husband of Nonie May Stewart, who went on to marry Prince Christopher of Greece and herself became Princess Anastasia of Greece.
The past is never dead. It’s not even past.
what were the key factors that influenced Nonnie May Stewart’s upbringing in Cleveland
This article highlights the fascinating history of the Worthington family, particularly their connections to European royalty. The story begins with George Ely Worthington, who married Nonnie May Stewart, a beautiful and charming woman from Ohio. Their marriage, which ended in divorce, marked the beginning of a long history of intermarriage between the Worthington family and European nobility. This legacy continues with the upcoming marriage of Ralph Worthington V to Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein, a union that will strengthen the ties between the two families.
The Worthington family’s connections to European royalty are a testament to their enduring legacy. From George Ely Worthington’s marriage to Nonnie May Stewart to Ralph Worthington V’s marriage to Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein, the family has consistently demonstrated its commitment to preserving these historic ties. This dedication to their heritage is a reflection of the family’s strong sense of loyalty and tradition, which has been passed down through generations. As we celebrate this latest union, we are reminded of the enduring power of family and tradition, and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
what are some other notable marriages within the Worthington family
The Worthington family has a rich history of notable marriages, including:
- George Ely Worthington and Nonnie May Stewart: George Ely Worthington, a prominent Cleveland industrialist, married Nonnie May Stewart, a beautiful and charming woman from Ohio. Their marriage ended in divorce, but it marked the beginning of a long history of intermarriage between the Worthington family and European nobility.
- James Worthington and Hannah Shun: James Worthington, a stone mason, married Hannah Shun in the Home District in Ontario. They had two children, John Charles Worthington and Louisa Worthington, who later married into the Hitchcock family.
- William Worthington and Isabel Langtree: William Worthington, Esq., of Worthington, married Isabel, daughter of Gilbert Langtree of Langtree. This marriage further solidified the Worthington family’s connections to European nobility.
- Ralph Worthington V and Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein: Ralph Worthington V, a member of the Worthington family, is set to marry Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein, strengthening the ties between the two families and continuing the legacy of intermarriage within the Worthington family.
These marriages demonstrate the Worthington family’s enduring legacy of connections to European nobility and their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage.
