Intro
Mallorca has long
attracted the rich and famous. Frederico Chopin came seeking the Mediterranean
climate to cure his ailing lungs in 1838/39. Chopin was followed by the Archduke
Luis Salvador of Habsburg and Lotringa, in 1867. Errol Flynn was a regular
visitor to the Island during the 1950s where he used to sail his yacht
Zaca still to be seen in Balearic waters. Agatha Christie, Sir Winston
Churchill and Sir Peter Ustinov are all former visitors. Current regular
visitors include the Royal families of Spain and Norway and many celebrities of
film, TV or sport who visit Mallorca for relaxation and / or to participate in
Sailing or Golfing events.
With flight times of less than 2 to 3 hours from most
of Northern Europe, a multitude of daily flights, high quality accommodation,
food and recreational facilities make Mallorca a popular destination for
short breaks - for both the famous and less famous.
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NE. Mallorca -
Pollensa
Agatha Christie was an early visitor to the Hotel Illa D'Or
(
image1,
image2) located on the Pine Walk (image1,
image2 ) in Puerto
Pollensa. The Hotel, which recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of opening, provided the inspiration for the fictional hotel "Pino d'Oro"
in her short story "Problems at Pollensa Bay" (
image ) which was published in 1936.
UK war time Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill
was a regular visitor to the 5* Hotel Formentor (
image ) on the rocky Formentor
Promontory (
image1,
image2)where he used to pursue his hobby of painting. Other visitors to the
Hotel have included Tito Citaddini, the Count of Keyserling, the Princess of
Wales, Charlie Chaplin, Rainaldo Luza and Douglas Fairbanks.
English / German actor Sir Peter Ustinov was also
a regular visitor to the Hotel Formentor (
image ) from where he enjoyed his yacht which
he had moored off shore. Sir Peter also starred in films shot on the Island
including "Evil under the Sun" in which Sir Peter appeared in his
second outing as
Agatha Christie's famous Belgian
detective
Hercule Poirot
- other well known actors in the film included Diana Rigg, Roddy McDowall,
James Mason, Sylvia Miles, Maggie Smith and Jane Birkin. The film based on the
Agatha Christie novel Bearn, supposedly set
in the Adriatic was shot largely around Cala Monjo (image) in SW Mallorca and around the
Formentor headland in NE Mallorca (image) and at the Raixa country estate..
The late Sir Harry Secombe, Goon and renowned singer used to
maintain a villa in the Pollensa area as does singer Robbie Williams who's
property may be viewed during boat trips around Formentor headland (image).
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NE. Mallorca - Arta
German tennis star and three time Wimbledon
Champion Boris Becker maintains a
substatial holiday villa near Arta.
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SW.Mallorca -
Andratx
Claudia Schiffer is a long
time regular visitor to Mallorca. As a youngster she enjoyed family holidays at
her parents villa on La Mola (
image1,
image2) above Puerto Andratx. Contrary to the popular belief that she was
first discovered at a famous Dusseldorf disco, Claudia Schiffer first posed as a
model in the summer of 87, a year before she became internationally famous. The
Mallorcan photographer, Pedro Coll, met that sweet sixteen year-old "fraulein"
at Tim's Bar (image)
in Puerto Andratx and convinced her to pose for him.
Some years ago she purchased a a hillside villa
in nearby Camp de Mar (image)
before developing a hilltop villa complex ( master villa + a villa for her
parents + guest villa ) (image1,
image2). This villa complex was reputedly sold during 2005. Claudia is
still a regular visitor to her parents Camp de Mar villa. She learned to play
golf at
Golf Andratx ( in Camp de Mar) and actively assists the Mallorca Tourist
Board in promoting Mallorca and Golf in Mallorca.
Newsreader and journalist Anna Ford is a regular
visitor to Puerto Andratx as is Broadcaster Selena Scott who maintains a
property in the area (image).
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SW. Mallorca -
Bendinat
Bendinat is an area of luxury properties with the
18 hole Golf Bendinat (image) nearby
- the location for the anual
Robert Winsor Charity Golf
tournament. Close to Palma and Palma Airport. Regular visitors
and property owners include King of Clubs Peter Stringfellow who actively
participates in many local charity events. He enjoys sailing his Sunseeker yacht
"Stringfellows" from Puerto Portals (image).
Richard Keys, Senior Presenter for Sky Sports
actress daughter Jemma who starred in UK Soap Hollyoaks, maintain a holiday home in the
vicinity.
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SW.
Mallorca - Puerto Portals
The area adjacent to Puerto Portals (image) is heavily
sprinkled with Celebrity Pads. Many relaxing TV stars and famous personalities
can be seen in the bars and restaurants in the Port - Wellies (image), Michelin 2*
Restaurant Tristans (image), Bistro Key West
(image),
Ritzi Italian restaurant and many more. Regular visitors include
East Enders star Steve McFadden ( who plays Phil Mitchell ) who owns a boat based in the port. Anthea Turner,
former Blue Peter and TV Programme presenter ( Travel programmes and
National Lottery) and husband Grant Bovey own a luxurious Sunseeker Predator
which is also based in the port. - as is Peter Stringfellow' Sunseeker
"Stringfellow's". (image)
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West Coast
Mallorca - Deya
Archduke or "Archiduc"
Luis Salvador of Habsburg and Lotringa visited Mallorca in 1867. His sailing ship,
the Nixe, dropped anchor in front of the coast of Deià; he fell in
love with the daughter of the carpenter of Valldemossa whose name was
Catalina and he stayed on the island for thirty years. He was a
naturalist, a vinegrower, and owner of a beautiful castle. During those years prominent figures of
the European aristocracy visited him at his residence of Son Marroig,
located on the cliffs over the sea. Ever since, the wild Deià, a small
village in the mountains, has been a favourite residence for many
celebrities; Charlie Chaplin, Ava Gardner, the writer
Anaïs Nin, all spent time in whitewashed houses, surrounded by the
romantic church square, the windmills (typical of Mallorca), the olive and fig
trees (extracted from
www.mallorcaonline.com ). Deya ( formerly Deia ) has
long been a popular haunt for artists. Until recently Sir Richard Branson was
the owner of the 5* La Residencia Hotel in Deya with recent visitors including
Sir Richard himself who still owns a nearby property. Diana, Princess of Wales,
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York have all been visitors to La Residencia (image1,
image2,
image3,
image4). British poet Robert Graves spent most of his working life here
in the 20th century and is buried in the village of Deiá
Movie star Michael Douglas and ex wife of 18
years Diandra time-share
ownership of a historic property on the West Coast near the Port of Valldemossa - the large
property called s'Estaca was formerly owned by Archduke Ludwig Salvator of
Austria and has in recent years been extensively renovated by Michael and
Diandra. Diandra Douglas, a mother, film producer, businesswoman and designer,
was broght up in Mallorca. Michael Douglas and current wife Catherline Zeta
Jones regularly visit Mallorca. (Image).
House guests have included film director and film star Woody Allen and movie
stars Jack Nicholson and Dani de Vito.
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West
Coast Mallorca - Valldemossa
Frederico Chopin very famously spent the winter
of 1838/39 in Mallorca
at the Carthusian Monastery at Valldemossa with his lover the writer George Sands.
During their stay at Valldemossa Chopin wrote his "Raindrop Prelude / 24
Preludes op 28" whilst his lady friend George Sands wrote the bestselling book
"A Winter in Mallorca". (
image1,
image2,
image3)
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Golf
Many visiting celebrities enjoy the excellent and varied golfing facilities
available on Mallorca. The highlight for Celebrity Golfers is
The Robert Winsor Charity Golf event
held every year since 1980 at the Royal Bendinat Golf Club ( Director Jorge Pando ).
This event attracts many Celebrities both visiting and resident or semi-resident
on the Island.
Robert Winsor himself was awarded an MBE in the 2005
Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to handicapped and disadvantaged
children in Mallorca. Regular participants include comedian, singer and sit-com
star
Jasper Carrott O.B.E,
Jess Conrad, singer, actor and star of many films,
Kenny Lynch O.B.E. - all-round entertainer and television personality for
three decades,
Rocky Taylor - film industry stunt performer and coordinator,
Duggie Brown - TV actor, cabaret performer and noted after dinner speaker,
Karl Howman - star of stage and TV,
Brian Close - Leed United football professional turned seven times England
Cricket Captain,
Peter McEvoy O.B.E. - twice British amateur golf champion, five times a
Walker Cup player, with record number of England caps,
Alan Ball M.B.E. football legend with 72 England caps.
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Sailing
Mallorca has become a major Mediterranean centre
for competitive and leisure sailing. The Spanish Royal family have greatly
increased the profile of Mallorca in the sailing world. The King of Spain, Rey
Juan Carlos I, Crown Prince Felipe ( Prince of Asturias ) and Princess Christina
are frequent participants in various regattas in the Bay of Palma - the Copa Del
Rey of course, the Princess Sofia Regatta and Breitling Regatta. HRH/SAR Rey
Juan Carlos generally helms 'Bribon' (image),
Prince Felipe often helms 'Aifos' (image)
or 'Sirius V' whilst Princess Christina is often to be found at helm of the all female crewed 'Azur de
Puig' (image1,
image2). Other members of the Spanish Royal family including Queen Sofia,
Letizia Princess of Asturias and Princess Elena can often be seen watching the
regatta from the Royal Yacht Fortuna.
King Harald V of Norway is a regular
participant in the Copa del Rey. His Royal Yacht 'Norge' may be seen berthed in
the Naval Base at Porto Pi on the westerly outskirts of Palma during August.
Queen Sonia of Norway can often be seen
watching her husband compete.
Other well known
participants include the film star Antonio Banderas and wife Melanie Griffith.
Regattas to watch for celebrity spotting
include:-
Copa Del Rey / Kings Cup in August where the latest IMS yachts from across
Europe compete in a thrilling contest fought between sailing professionals and
royalty. Hosted by Real Club Nautico in Palma ( Royal Yacht Club). (
image1,
image2,
image3).
Princess Sofia Regatta hosted by Real Club
Nautico de Palma.
Breitling Regatta hosted
at Puerto Portals during late July.
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Spanish Royal
Family
For many years the Spanish
Royal Family have been regular visitors to Mallorca where they spend much of the
month of August staying at the Marivent Palace on the western outskirts of
Palma. The King of Spain, Rey
Juan Carlos I, Crown Prince Felipe ( Prince of Asturias ) and Princess Christina
are frequent participants in various regattas in the Bay of Palma - the Copa Del
Rey of course, the Princess Sofia Regatta and Breitling Regatta. HRH/SAR Rey
Juan Carlos generally helms 'Bribon' (image),
Prince Felipe often helms 'Aifos' (image)
or 'Sirius V' whilst Princess Christina is often to be found at the all female crewed 'Azur de
Puig' (image1,
image2). Other members of the Spanish Royal family including Queen Sofia,
Letizia Princess of Asturias and Princess Elena can often be seen watching the
regatta from the Royal Yacht Fortuna.
Royal family members are
often seen visiting by Royal Yacht the Island of Cabrera. Queen Sofia often
ventures on informal shopping trips and activities with her grandchildren and
younger Royals.
Official Royal events take
place at the Almudaina Palace in Palma - the official Royal Palace in Palma,
which is also open as a museum. - located adjacent to the famous Gothic
Cathedral. (image1,
image2)
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European Royalty.
King Harald V of Norway is a regular
participant in the Copa del Rey. His Royal Yacht 'Norge' may be seen berthed in
the Naval Base at Porto Pi on the westerly outskirts of Palma during August.
Queen Sonia of Norway can often be seen
watching her husband compete.
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Celebrity
Magazines.
Celebrity Magazine, Mallorca.
Free distribution magazine in Mallorca. Produced by former Fleet Street
Journalist Ken Ross and former model Angela Ross. Regular articles by Peter
Stringfellow and Jess Conrad.
Hello
Magazine.
Regular features on Celebrities visiting Mallorca / Majorca.
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Credits and Links
Full descriptions of the images used to illustrate this page may
be viewed in the following image catalogue.
Celebrity Image Catalogue by Geoff Williamson
Additional images may be viewed on
www.MallorcaByAir.com
The information on this page has been drawn from
a wide variety of sources - too many to mention all. A particular mention must
be made of the Celebrity coverage of
www.mallorcaonline.com and of
Mallorcawebsite.com
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