Lady Guinness was born Merula Silvia Salaman on October 16 1914, the Daughter of Major Michel Hewitt Salaman, of the Royal North Devon Hussars Yeomanry.Merula's Mother, Chattie, the Daughter of Colonel Edward Baldwin Wake of the 21st Hussars, was a descendant of Hereward the Wake.She was one of seven children.She became an Actress, working at the Old Vic under the Director Michel St Denis. It was in his production of Obey's Noah in 1935 that she met Alec Guinness.They became engaged during a very late-night dress rehearsal of The Merchant of Venice at the Queen's Theatre in the spring of 1938, and were married that June at Reigate Register Office. The honeymoon was spent in Ireland, trudging the coastline of Donegal with rucksacks on their backs. In 1940 their Son Matthew was born.The Guinnesses spent most of their married life at Steep Marsh, in Hampshire.She was zealous at keeping unwelcome fans at bay.Sir Alec described his wife as "the most modest person imaginable". In later life Lady Guinness suffered from cataracts, a bad leg, and generally indifferent health.She died on 18th October 2000, aged 86.
Lady Guinness was born Merula Silvia Salaman on October 16 1914, the Daughter of Major Michel Hewitt Salaman, of the Royal North Devon Hussars Yeomanry.Merula's Mother, Chattie, the Daughter of Colonel Edward Baldwin Wake of the 21st Hussars, was a descendant of Hereward the Wake.She was one of seven children.She became an Actress, working at the Old Vic under the Director Michel St Denis. It was in his production of Obey's Noah in 1935 that she met Alec Guinness.They became engaged during a very late-night dress rehearsal of The Merchant of Venice at the Queen's Theatre in the spring of 1938, and were married that June at Reigate Register Office. The honeymoon was spent in Ireland, trudging the coastline of Donegal with rucksacks on their backs. In 1940 their Son Matthew was born.The Guinnesses spent most of their married life at Steep Marsh, in Hampshire.She was zealous at keeping unwelcome fans at bay.Sir Alec described his wife as "the most modest person imaginable". In later life Lady Guinness suffered from cataracts, a bad leg, and generally indifferent health.She died on 18th October 2000, aged 86.
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