Career
Her book Washington Rollercoaster recounted the Gotliebs" years as glamorous hosts in Washington during the Reagan Era, when she wrote a much-read column for the Washington Post. Vanity Fair magazine called her a "sparkling hostess", and in Washington she quickly became known for her irreverent attitude and sharp tongue. She often attracted attention with remarks considered out-of-character for diplomatic wives.
Referring to Canada"s image in America as a dull northern neighbour, she remarked: "Maybe we should invade South Dakota".
The incident, while criticized, made her one of the most talked-about women in Washington, and invitations to the Gotliebs" parties became highly coveted. Allan joined numerous corporate boards, including Conrad Black"s Hollinger Incorporated., while Sondra began writing columns for the Globe and Mail and later the National Post, which was owned by Conrad Black.
In 2001, she alluded to the infamous "Slap Flap" incident in a series of articles about her recent facelift, published in the National Post. Gotlieb recounted how the idea for cosmetic surgery first came to her after a visit with friends in Washington District of Columbia "One of them said to me, "lieutenant must be nice living in Toronto.
You can slop around without having to bother too much about your appearance.
Canadians have such old-fashioned values." Foreign the second time in my life I felt like slapping someone"s face."
They had three children: Rebecca (born in 1958), Marc (born in 1959), and Rachel (born in 1962). In early 2003, she died suddenly of returning liver cancer. Marc, an art historian and former University of Toronto professor, is married to Lauren Freeman.
They have three children.
Rachel is married to lawyer Rob Dickson and they have two children. They live in the Toronto neighbourhood of Rosedale.
