The Australian high society is in mourning following the loss of one of its most colourful and beloved figures. Primrose ‘Pitty Pat’ Dunlop, known for her vivacious spirit and the dramatic twists in her personal life, has passed away at the age of 70.
While the world mourns her loss, her influence extends far beyond her years. Her health battle shed light on the urgent need for research and support, ensuring that her legacy will continue to inspire change for years to come.
Primrose Dunlop, the heiress to a staggering $60 million fortune and the daughter of renowned philanthropist Lady Primrose Potter, was thrust into the international spotlight in 1990 under circumstances that read like a plot from a Hollywood movie.
Her wedding to Qantas flight attendant Lorenzo Montesini, who claimed to be a European prince with a string of aristocratic titles, was abruptly cancelled when he left her for his best man, Robert Straub, on the eve of their luxurious European nuptials. The scandal that ensued captivated the world, revealing that Montesini and Straub had been in a clandestine relationship for years, having met during the Vietnam War.
Despite the heartbreak and public humiliation, Ms. Dunlop’s resilience shone through. She found love again and in 1993 married Polish Count Jerzy Krasicki v Siecin, adopting the title of Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin.
Her life, marked by both high drama and high society, was a testament to her strength and ability to overcome personal adversity.
However, in 2022, Primrose Dunlop faced a different kind of challenge when she entered full-time care after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This less common form of dementia is particularly cruel, often striking individuals in their 50s and 60s, and affecting the parts of the brain associated with personality, behaviour, and language.
Lady Potter, in a statement confirming her daughter’s passing on 5 February, described the disease as ‘heart-wrenching.’ The family’s grief is shared by many who knew Ms Dunlop, not just as a socialite, but as a friend and a vibrant personality in their lives.
In a touching tribute to her daughter’s memory, Lady Potter has announced a $1 million donation to The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.
The Florey’s executive director, Professor Peter van Wijngaarden, expressed his deep condolences to the family and highlighted the significance of the donation.
‘With the generous donation in honour of Countess Krasicki v Siecin from the Potter family, a team of Florey researchers will investigate better ways to diagnose FTD and other dementias. We hope that this research will pave the way to improved diagnosis and treatments,’ he said.
‘We are enormously thankful to Lady Primrose Potter for this significant and impactful gift.’
The impact of this generous gift cannot be overstated. It stands as a beacon of hope for those affected by dementia and their families and as a legacy of a woman whose life was as impactful in its end as it was in its prime.
Social media has seen an outpouring of condolences, with commentator Melissa Hoyer encapsulating the sentiment shared by many: ‘Vale Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin (nee Dunlop) who died after a long battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD)—a type of dementia commonly affecting adults in 50s or 60s. She was Primmie or Pitty Pat to her mates. May she RIP.’
The story of Primrose Dunlop is one of glamour, heartache, and ultimately, a fight against a relentless disease. Her legacy, however, will live on through the work of researchers striving to conquer dementia, and in the memories of those who knew and loved her.
As we reflect on her life, we are reminded of our own fragility and the importance of cherishing every moment.
To our YourLifeChoices readers, how has this condition touched you or your loved ones, and what hopes do you hold for the future of dementia research and care?
Your stories and insights are a valuable part of the conversation as we honour the life of a woman who was, to many, much more than a socialite—she was a friend, a loved one, and an inspiration.
Also read: New drug to treat overlooked yet devastating type of dementia
Why no picture of this person? Her tenuous claim to fame is decades old and she’s had no noticeable impact on anyone’s lives outside her family’s, so how are we supposed to know of whom you speak? News outlets online have pictures of her, why not YLC? Is this just another example of lazy ‘journalism’ on the part of this publication?
Thank you for your comment, Margaret! We apologise for the oversight and have updated the article with Primrose Dunlop’s picture.