This commemorates last year’s 20th anniversary of the passing of Virginia North, who eventually became Lady White as a result of marriage to Gordon White, Baron White of Hull between 1974-79, with whom she has a son, Lucas. She was born in London Virginia Ann Northup, the daughter of an American Army officer & British mother, so grew up according to her father’s career postings in Britain, France, South-East Asia and latterly Washington DC. At the age of 20, she settled in London and became a fashion model particularly in swimwear with Europe’s leading agency, Models 1, eventually being scouted by Rank for film work. Her career changed when she was cast as Olympe, the chess-playing companion of Draco in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 1969. She is also remembered for The Abominable Dr. Phibes 1971 with Vincent Price, also The Long Duel and Deadlier than the Male, both 1967, following the latter in the Bulldog Drummond films with Some Girls Do 1969. She appeared on TV once in Department S in 1969. By 1974 she had left the film world behind in marrying industrialist Gordon White (governor of BFI and Chairman of Hanson plc), becoming Lady Virginia when he was knighted in 1979; they lived in Manhattan New York City, London and Hull, with her following his strong interest in horse-racing and links to the Epsom Derby and polo. She died of cancer, aged just 58, in West Sussex in 2004.
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