Donna Marina Torlonia dei Principi di Civitella-Cesi was an Italian-American aristocrat best known as the paternal grandmother of the actress and model Brooke Shields.
Background
Torlonia was born in Rome, at Palazzo Núñez-Torlonia, the youngest daughter of Marino Torlonia, 4th prince of Civitella-Cesi and his American wife, Mary Elsie Moore, a daughter of Charles Arthur Moore, a shipping broker and hardware manufacturer from Connecticut.
Career
The Torlonia family gained its fortune in the administration of Vatican finances. She had three siblings: Donna Olimpia Torlonia dei Principi di Civitella-Chesi (1909-1924) Don Alessandro Torlonia, 5th Prince di Civitella-Cesi, the husband of Infanta Beatriz of Spain (an aunt of King Juan Carlos I of Spain). Donna Cristina Torlonia dei Principi di Civitella-Cesi (1913-1974) Along with Marina, Duke Raffaele Canevaro of Gallluzo, and the Countess Eleanor Terry died in the accident.