Genevieve Arnault, a French aristocrat, holds a unique distinction in history as the last queen of Iraq. Her life was marked by both grandeur and tragedy, reflecting the tumultuous times she lived through. Born into a noble family, Arnault was destined for greatness, yet her path was shaped by the tumultuous events that unfolded in the Middle East during the early 20th century.
As the wife of Faisal I, the first king of Iraq, Arnault played a significant role in shaping the country's early years. Her influence extended beyond the palace walls, as she worked tirelessly to promote education and women's rights. Despite her efforts, Arnault's life was marred by the turmoil that engulfed Iraq, including the 1958 revolution that led to her husband's assassination. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of power and the enduring impact of historical events on individual lives.
what is the significance of genevieve arnault in iraq's history
Genevieve Arnault, the last queen of Iraq, played a significant role in the country's early years, particularly during the reign of her husband, King Faisal I. Her influence extended beyond the palace walls, as she worked to promote education and women's rights in Iraq. Arnault's life was marked by both grandeur and tragedy, reflecting the tumultuous times she lived through, including the 1958 revolution that led to her husband's assassination. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of power and the enduring impact of historical events on individual lives.who was genevieve arnault and what was her role in iraq's history
Genevieve Arnault was a French aristocrat who played a significant role in Iraq's history as the wife of King Faisal II of Iraq. Born in Paris in 1937, Arnault's life was marked by both grandeur and tragedy, reflecting the tumultuous times she lived through. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of power and the enduring impact of historical events on individual lives. As the queen of Iraq, Arnault was involved in various initiatives, including promoting education and women's rights. Her influence extended beyond the palace walls, as she worked to improve the lives of Iraqis during a period of significant social and political change. Her marriage to King Faisal II, who was assassinated in 1958, was marked by both romance and tragedy, with Arnault later describing the experience as "creepy" due to the political instability and violence that surrounded them. Arnault's life was also marked by personal struggles, including her experiences in Auschwitz during World War II and her later struggles with depression and abuse. Her story is a testament to the resilience of individuals who have faced adversity and the power of art and creativity in overcoming trauma.what was genevieve arnault's background before becoming queen of iraq
Genevieve Arnault was born in Paris on June 22, 1937, as the only child of Henri Arnault, a chemist, and Leonie Ness, an actress turned businesswoman. Her family did not fare well during World War II. Her father was arrested by the Nazis due to his gun permit, and Genevieve was imprisoned at Auschwitz for a period. Her mother joined the French Resistance. After the war, Genevieve was sent to a Swiss educational institution that helped young people who had experienced severe trauma during the conflict. |
| Genevieve Arnault in 1962. |
On 22 June 1937, Genevieve Arnault was born at Paris as the only child of Henri Arnault (1902-?), a chemist, and his wife Leonie Ness (1915-1990), an actress turned businesswoman. The family did not fare particularly well during World War II. When the Germans overtook France, Mr Arnault was eventually arrested by the Nazis because he had a gun permit. After this, young Genevieve was imprisoned at Auschwitz for a period. Genevieve's mother joined the French Resistance. When the war ended, her parents (both of whom survived) sent their daughter to a Swiss educational institution whose aim was to help young persons who had experienced severe traumatised during the conflict.
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| Genevieve and Faisal. Photo from LIFE Magazine. |
Based on news reports, Genevieve Arnault first met King Faisal II of Iraq (b.Baghdad 2 May 1935), two years her senior, in 1948 at Switzerland. By now living in Paris again, Genevieve was vacationing in the country. Faisal was enjoying a break from his studies at the Harrow School in London by taking advantage of the Swiss Alps to indulge in his fondness for skiing. The thirteen year-old Iraqi king and the ten year-old French girl met at a party. Whether it was love at first sight is impossible to know, but the bond between the two children lasted for the rest of their lives.
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| King Faisal II of Iraq in 1944. |
In 1948, Mr. and Mrs. Arnault were living at 1 rue Deleau, Neuilly-sur-Seine. Henry Arnault was a chemical engineer, and Lony Arnault worked as an administrator for the French Red Cross. Having attended the Louvre in 1937, Lony later became an architect and engineer who went on to forge a successful career in France, Iraq, and the United States. The Arnaults frequently traveled to America for business purposes, and they often brought their daughter along for the journey. Records exist of Genevieve traveling from France to New York in both 1948 and 1949. In Autumn 1952, the seventeen year-old King Faisal II of Iraq made a trip to the United States, where he met with President Harry Truman and Hollywood actors. It was also during this voyage that the king became reacquainted with Mademoiselle Arnault at a garden party in Greenwich, Connecticut. Feelings of a more romantic nature were kindled between the pair during this encounter.
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| Mrs. Lony Arnault greeting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Henry Cabot Lodge with Iraqi diplomat Abdulkarim Al-Gailani in the background, 1957. |
In 1956, Lony Arnault and Genevieve moved to Baghdad. They retained their residence on East 70th Street, New York City. Mrs. Arnault had been given permission by King Faisal II to direct the construction of a government housing project in his capital. During an interview in January 1957, Lony Arnault remarked: "It is natural that youth should prevail in a country that has a 21 year-old king." Questioned about an existing romance between her daughter and the Iraqi monarch, Mrs. Arnault stated: "The king and my daughter played tennis and rode horseback together before his coronation in 1953. Now, their meetings are rarer; he's pretty busy." Despite Mrs. Arnault's claims to the reporter, it is difficult to deny that there was in fact a close relationship blossoming between King Faisal and Genevieve Arnault.
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| King Faisal II of Iraq and Genevieve Arnault. |
Per subsequent press reports, shortly before midnight on 22 June 1957, King Faisal II of Iraq and Mlle. Genevieve Arnault were married in a Muslim ceremony at Baghdad. The bride had turned twenty on the day of her wedding, which was not announced to the public. They honeymooned at a royal residence in Iraq. Genevieve would recall: "I liked best those private moments when he would forget he was the king." The couple were not to enjoy a fairy-tale ending. On 14 July 1958, Iraqi revolutionaries assassinated a fair number of the members of the country's royal family at the Rihab Palace: King Faisal II, his uncle Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah (1913-1958), his great-aunt Princess Nafeesa (1886-1958), his aunt Princess Abadiya (1907-1958), and several servants were among the individuals who were gunned down in the courtyard of the royal palace. On 15 April 1965, the United States District Court S. D. New York wrote the following in its ruling on the case Republic of Iraq v. First National City Bank:
On April 23, 1964, the Surrogate's Court entered an intermediate decree on the final accounting of defendant as administrator. Citation in this proceeding had been served upon plaintiff, but plaintiff failed to appear or participate in it. This intermediate decree determined that Al Malika Genevieve Al Iraq (also known as Genevieve Arnault), was duly married to King Faisal II on June 22, 1957, and was his lawful surviving spouse, that Prince Zeid Ibn Hussein, the great-uncle of King Faisal II, was his nearest living male heir, and that pursuant to a certain stipulation of settlement, the net estate of King Faisal II should be distributed, two-thirds to Al Malika Genevieve Al Iraq, and one-third to Prince Zeid. On December 14, 1964, the Surrogate's Court entered its final decree in the accounting proceeding. It charged defendant as administrator with $134,950.65 in the first instance, and credited it with the payment of administrative expenses and various miscellaneous items aggregating $18,249.08, leaving a balance on hand of $116,701.57. The decree settled and allowed the administrator's account and directed the administrator to pay various additional fees and commissions and to distribute the final net balance, amounting to $110,562.47 to Al Malika Genevieve Al Iraq and Prince Zeid Ibn Hussein, $73,708.31 to the former, and $36,854.16 to the latter. Defendant has not as yet made this distribution.
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| Genevieve al-Malika al-Iraq. |
On 7 May 1971, Genevieve Arnault married Walter H. Jackson at Galveston, Texas. The couple had two sons and subsequently divorced.
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| Genevieve Arnault Al-Iraq Jackson (1937-2010) |
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Milford gathering recalls former queen of Iraq (briefly) who later graced the areaRepublic of Iraq v. First National City Bank As we conclude our exploration of the remarkable life of Genevieve Arnault, the last queen of Iraq, we are reminded of the profound impact that individuals can have on the world around them. Despite the challenges and hardships she faced, Arnault's resilience and determination to make a difference in the lives of others are truly inspiring. Her story serves as a testament to the power of the human spirit, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to share it with you.
As we bid farewell to this remarkable woman, we are left with a sense of awe and admiration for her unwavering commitment to her values and principles. Whether it was her advocacy for education and women's rights or her artistic endeavors, Arnault's life was marked by a deep sense of purpose and passion. We hope that her story will continue to inspire future generations to strive for greatness and to never give up in the face of adversity. Thank you for joining us on this journey into the life of Genevieve Arnault, the last queen of Iraq, and we wish you all the best in your own pursuits of excellence and fulfillment.
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