Monica von Neumann

Monica Neumann von Héthárs, also known as Baroness Monica von Neumann,[1] (née Ford; 15 Jun 1964 – 5 March 2019), was an American socialite, philanthropist, and businesswoman. She worked as a fashion model and dancer before marrying John Neumann Ritter von Héthárs in 1985.

Monica von Neumann
BornMonica Ford
15 June 1964
Detroit, Michigan
United States
Died5 March 2019
Los Angeles
California
BuriedHillside Memorial Park Cemetery
Noble familyvon Neumann
Spouse(s)John Neumann Ritter von Héthárs (1985-2003; his death)
Issue
Dorian Neumann von Héthárs
Occupationbusinesswoman, socialite, dancer, model, philanthropist

Early life

Monica von Neumann was born into an African-American working class family in Detroit, Michigan.[2] As a child she moved with her mother to Los Angeles. She studied dance at the Roland Dupree Dance Academy.[3] She attended Fairfax High School in Fairfax District, Los Angeles.

Career and philanthropy

Von Neumann danced professionally before getting married, going on tour with Nina Simone and Devo.[4] She also worked as a model for Yves Saint Laurent and Dior, walking in runway shows and standing in for fittings at ateliers in Paris.[5][6]

In 2010 she launched the luxury home-goods retailer Baroness von Neumann Candles, which sold high-end scented candles.[7][8][4][9][10] The candle logo was the Von Neumann family crest.[3] In December 2010 she was a guest on BET's The Mo'Nique Show.[2]

In 2013 she was considered for a spot as a cast member of the American reality television series Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.[11][12][13] She reportedly met with producers but ended up not joining the cast.[10][14][15]

In February 2013 von Neumann, along with Daphne Guinness and Lynn Ban, donated a collection of her shoes to the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology's Shoe Obsession exhibit.[16] Von Neumann was featured in the documentary God Save My Shoes, which followed extreme shoe collectors.[6]

She was a patron of Inner-City Arts and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.[3][6] She was also involved with Hollyrod Foundation, an organization that offers support to families with children that have autism. As a patron of the organizations March To The Top and AINA, von Neumann traveled to Kenya and assisted in establishing an orphanage.[17]

Personal life

When she was eighteen years old she was introduced to John Neumann Ritter von Héthárs, the son of Heinrich Neumann Ritter von Héthárs, by Sonny Bono at a dinner party in Palm Springs.[18] She began a relationship with Ritter von Neumann, who was the first importer of Volkswagens to the United States.[12][10] After they got engaged, she attended a finishing school in Switzerland.[2] She and Ritter von Neumann married in 1985. They had one daughter, Dorian.[9] Her husband's family, the von Neumanns, are a Hungarian Jewish family that was elevated into the nobility by the Austrian emperor. While a branch of her husband's family held the rank of Freiherr (baron), her husband did not. He held the hereditary title Ritter, which is the German equivalent to a baronet or hereditary knight. Her husband died from cancer in 2003.[4][19]

Prior to his death, Von Neumann's husband allegedly had a son from an extramarital affair with Charlotte Vega. In 2010 she was involved in a legal battle against Charlotte's son, John Vega, regarding his paternity.[20]

Death

Monica von Neumann died on 5 March 2019 due to health complications. She reportedly was in financial trouble at the time of her death.[21] She is buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.

References
  1. Monica von Neumann is often incorrectly referred to in the press as a baroness. While she was a member of the Austrian nobility through her marriage, her husband held the rank of Ritter (similar to a baronet or hereditary knight) and not the rank of Freiherr (baron).
  2. "Baroness From Detroit". BET. Viacom. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  3. "Holding Court with Baroness Monica von Neumann". Upscale Living Magazine. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  4. Brown, Ann (19 September 2012). "From Detroit to Austria: Baroness Monica von Neumann Puts a Regal Spin on the Candle Business". MADAMENOIRE. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  5. "Spotlight on Baroness Von Neumann–The Life of Another Black Woman who Married European Royalty & More Okey-Dokes". Black Female Interracial Marriage. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  6. "Ex-Model & Dancer: Baroness Monica Von Neumann". Sola Rey. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  7. Delatorre, Kim (3 February 2011). "BARONESS MONICA VON NEUMANN'S SIGNATURE LINE OF SCENTED CANDLES". Shop With Me Mamma. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  8. "Candles by Baroness Monica von Neumann". The Life of Luxury. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  9. Gray, Christine (22 April 2010). "Interview with Baroness Monica von Neumann". Luxury Travel Magazine. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  10. Woulfe, Niel (28 March 2013). "A Real 'Royal' Housewife? Hollywood's Baroness Monica Von Neumann In Talks To Join RHOBH". Radar Online. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  11. "Baroness Monica Von Neumann In Talks To Join RHOBH". Reality Wives. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  12. "Baroness Monica Von Neumann On 'Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills'?". HuffPost. Verizon Media. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  13. Malec, Brett (28 March 2013). "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in Talks With Baroness Monica Van Neumann to Join Cast". E!. NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  14. Dodrill, Tara (28 March 2013). "Baroness Monica Von Neumann May Join 'RHOBH' [Rumor]". Inquisitr. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  15. Breslaw, Anna (30 March 2013). "Black Baroness May Join Whitewashed Real Housewives of Beverly Hills". Jezebel. Univision Communications. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  16. Rabinovitch, Simona (20 February 2013). "MFIT EXHIBITS 150 EXTREME DESIGNER SHOES". Gotham Magazine. Niche Media. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  17. "Interview with Baroness Monica Von Neumann". A Distinctive Style. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  18. Heyman, Marshall (26 March 2012). "Small Luxuries Light Up Los Angeles". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  19. Nsenduluka, Benge. "'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Producers Want Lisa Rinna, Monica Von Neumann?". The Christian Post.
  20. "NEUMANN v. VEGA". Leagle. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  21. "Baronness Monica Von Neumann has passed, was homeless for at least a year". Lipstick Alley. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
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