Angus Ogilvy British aristocrat, businessman Date of Birth: 14.09.1928 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Business Career
3. Marriage to Princess Alexandra
4. Philanthropy and Honors
5. Legacy and Death

Early Life and Education

Angus Ogilvy was born into the aristocratic Ogilvy family, which held close ties to the British royal family. As the second son of David Ogilvy, 12th Earl of Airlie, and Alexandra Coke, daughter of the 3rd Earl of Leicester, Ogilvy enjoyed a privileged upbringing. He attended Eton College and later served in the Scots Guards from 1946 to 1948. After his military service, he enrolled at Trinity College, Oxford, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in 1950.

Business Career

Upon graduating from Oxford, Ogilvy embarked on a career in business. He joined Lonrho, a company with operations in Rhodesia. For nearly two decades, he worked his way up the corporate ladder until his eventual resignation in 1976. His departure followed criticism of the company's operations in a British Department of Trade report.

Marriage to Princess Alexandra

On April 24, 1963, Ogilvy's life took a dramatic turn when he married Princess Alexandra of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. The wedding ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey and was attended by the entire royal family. It was broadcast worldwide, with an estimated 200 million viewers. Despite being offered an earldom by the Queen upon his marriage, Ogilvy declined, and while his wife retained her apartments in St. James's Palace, he did not accept a royal residence.

Philanthropy and Honors

Following his business career, Ogilvy dedicated himself to charitable work. He supported numerous organizations, including the Red Cross, the National Trust, and the Royal British Legion. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1988 and a Privy Councillor in 1997.

Legacy and Death

Sir Angus Ogilvy died in 2004 at the age of 75 from throat cancer. He was interred at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore. His memory lives on through the numerous charitable endeavors he supported and his two children, James and Marina, whom he had with Princess Alexandra.