Three Times a Countess

The Extraordinary Life and Times of Raine Spencer

Author: Tina Gaudoin

Paperback

From middle-class London girl to Countess and wife of Earl Spencer, Three Times a Countess charts the scandalous life of Raine Spencer, demystifying her femme fatale tabloid reputation and uncovering the truth behind her becoming one of Princess Diana's closest confidantes.

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TELEGRAPH 50 BEST BOOKS OF 2022

THE UNTOLD STORY OF PRINCESS DIANA'S STEPMOTHER

'A sparkling biography of a fascinating woman' - Lynn Barber, Telegraph *****

'Gaudoin's book is revealing and hugely entertaining. Highly recommended.' - Daily Mail

'Gaudoin tells these delicious stories with brio' - Sunday Times

Debutante of the year. Able politician. Femme fatale. Just some of the many labels attached to the irrepressible, controversial Raine Spencer: Countess, socialite and stepmother to Diana, Princess of Wales. But who was the real Raine? What was hidden behind the immaculately manicured public fa ade and her overwhelmingly negative tabloid image?

From her childhood days as daughter of romantic novelist powerhouse, Barbara Cartland, to Westminster councillor and wife of Earl Spencer, Three Times a Countess recounts Raine's compelling and glamorous life, revealing her to be a powerful, accomplished woman who, after a tumultuous relationship, reconciled with Diana to become the Princess's closest confidante and a key witness at the inquest into her death.

To her friends, Raine was shrewd, intelligent, witty and loyal; to her enemies, pushy, overly flamboyant and ruthless. From a career spanning local politics to dealing with the fortunes of Althorp; from taking on the Spencer family estate to her final role as a board member at Harrods, Raine's life was, by any standards, a success . Yet she could not sway the powerful media narrative which pitted her as 'the evil stepmother' at every turn.

A societal whirl of London Seasons, family feuds, politics, pomp and 'big hair', Gaudoin's vibrant history of the Countess sets the record straight once and for all, drawing insight from those who knew Raine most. Three Times a Countess reveals a sophisticated, determined woman whose loyalty knew no bounds and whose cache of secrets would have worried even the most upright of royals.

Critic Reviews

An excellent book about a difficult, but life-enhancing woman -- Julian Fellowes
Enthralling -- Nicholas Coleridge
Perceptively examines the life of one of the twentieth century's original "tough, ambitious women" -- Lindy Woodhead
Wonderful. A great friend brought vividly back to life. -- Lady Glenconner
A sparkling biography of a fascinating woman. **** -- Lynn Barber Telegraph
Gaudoin's book is revealing and hugely entertaining. Highly recommended. Daily Mail, Royal Books of the Year
Delicious Sunday Times
This book is a vindication, both of Raine herself and of a type of person - of woman - whom it became uncool to value TLS
Gaudoin elegantly depicts the esoteric life of an aristocrat Observer
Tina Gaudoin sets out to rehabilitate Raine as a far more nuanced woman, an insouciant, sexy survivor uncredited for her many achievements . . . A colourful life. The Times
I lapped up this tale of London seasons, family feuds, politics, big hair and Raine's carpe diem attitude Gloss *

About the Author

Tina Gaudoin is a renowned journalist, author, editor and brand consultant. Throughout her career she has been the Editor in Chief of: Frank Magazine, The Times Luxx, WSJ magazine and Elle Decoration. She was Style Editor of Saturday Times magazine and Wall St Journal Europe. She has edited and written for international and national media titles including Tatler, the FT, Guardian, The Times, New York Times, Vogue USA and UK, Harpers Bazaar USA and UK and Departures USA. She was a co-founder of Triyoga and is the founder and owner of Roadscents.