Throughout history, many women have become known internationally known and acclaimed not only for their own personal merits but quite often simply for the fact that they were or are their fathers’ daughters. The name, the notoriety, the profession, the prestige of the fathers is automatically passed on to the daughter and these daughters are subsequently respected, just because. Here is a list of famous daughters and their famous fathers. Marika Azzopardi writes
Paloma Picasso &
Pablo Picasso
Paloma Picasso was born on April 19, 1949 when her father, the famous Spanish painter Picasso was 67 years old. She was born in France, and her mother was Francoise Gilot, a young art student who was 40 years younger than Picasso. In several interviews, Paloma speaks of her relationship with her father and with the ease with which she lived alongside him in his studio whilst he painted. Since she was a quiet child, she was happily allowed to be constantly next to Picasso as he worked, and she, inspired by his art, also painted constantly. When her jewellery was noticed in 1986, she quickly moved from costume design to jewellery design, working for important brands such as Yves Saint Laurent and Tiffany and Co. She will be most widely remembered for her flair for designing accessories and for her perfume which is called, simply, Paloma Picasso with its red box which echoes the trademark red lipstick that is a strong particular of Paloma’s personal image.
Mercedes Jellinek &
Emil Jellinek
Mercedes Jellinek might never have become well-known had it not been for the fact that her father, an Austrian businessman called Emil, travelled to Germany in 1897 to purchase a car. It was a Daimler Phoenix which he used to participate in a touring competition, giving the car the name of his daughter Mercedes who was only nine years old at the time. The car was such a strong favourite that he realised it could earn him quite a lot of money, so he purchased 36 more of the same model and agreed with the mother company to be granted the franchise to sell Daimler Phoenix cars in other countries under the name of ‘Mercedes’. The Mercedes trade name was registered after Daimler’s death in 1900.
Chelsea Clinton &
Bill Clinton
Chelsea Clinton could not ever have remained out of the limelight simply because she is the daughter of a former US President, the only daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton. All through her life she lived as the daughter of a politician and eventually of two politicians when her mother Hillary also took centre stage in the political arena. In fact Chelsea helped to extensively campaign to support her mother’s moves in politics. Today she works with NBC News and within her father’s charitable institutions.
Lisa-Marie Presley &
Elvis Presley
The daughter of Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla, Lisa-Marie was a typical love-child – she always claimed she was much loved by her father. A very valid sign of his dedication to her is the naming of one of his private planes after her, a plane which is today found in Graceland. He died when she was only 11 years old but she followed in his steps by becoming a singer and songwriter in her own merits. She also inherited Graceland, a multi-million estate which proved to be a great tourist attraction. Lisa-Marie also worked hard to support varied important causes including the passing of new legislation to ban forced ADHD treatment in children, and setting up charitable foundations. She eventually also became famous for marrying pop star Michael Jackson and actor Nicholas Cage.
Geraldine Chaplin &
Charles Chaplin
The fourth child of Charlie Chaplin, Geraldine was the daughter of Oona O’Neill. It is interesting to note that Oona was the daughter of the American Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill who disowned her completely when she decided to marry Chaplin. Eugene O’Neill was well aware that his daughter was 36 years younger than Chaplin, however, she would live to be Chaplin’s last wife and would mother eight of his children during their 35 years of marriage. Meanwhile Geraldine Chaplin grew up as a famous actor’s daughter, and her life included acting, ballet dancing, as well as a couple of incidents which caused her to brush shoulders with the law due to accusations of involvement with the Basque terror group ETA. She was also involved in negotiations with kidnappers who had stolen her father’s body in 1978. She is well remembered for starring in films such as ‘Dr Zhivago’ and ‘The Orphanage’, a 2006 movie for which she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.