Helle Nice French model and dancer, racing driver Date of Birth: 15.12.1900 Country: France

Biography of Ellie Nice

Eleanor Nice, known as Ellie Nice, was a French artist, dancer, and successful race car driver. She was born on December 15, 1900, in the village of Onez-sous-Ono in the Er and Loire department of France. Ellie grew up in a small house with her parents, Alexandrine Buji and Leona Delangle, and three siblings. At the age of sixteen, Ellie decided to move to Paris in search of better opportunities.

In Paris, Ellie started working as a model, which led her to meet the artist Rene Carrere. With his influence, she began a career as a dancer and adopted the stage name Ellie Nice. Ellie quickly became a successful dancer, known for her talent and glamorous lifestyle. In 1926, she formed a dance duo with Robert Lisse and toured Europe with their performances.

Ellie's love for speed and adrenaline led her to the world of automobile racing. In 1929, she set a new women's world speed record on the Montlhéry racetrack driving an Omega-Six. Her racing abilities attracted attention, and in 1930, she signed a lucrative contract to compete in races across the United States driving a Miller car.

In 1936, tragedy struck during a race in Brazil when Ellie's Alfa Romeo crashed into a bale of straw on the road, causing the car to flip into a crowd of spectators. Four people were killed, and Ellie was initially presumed dead. However, she survived, although she suffered severe injuries. The accident haunted her for the rest of her life.

After recovering from her injuries, Ellie hoped to rejoin the Bugatti racing team. However, the outbreak of World War II and the death of her friend Jean Bugatti put a halt to her racing career. During the war, Ellie purchased a house in Nice and lived there with her lover.

In 1949, Ellie participated in the first post-war rally held in Monte Carlo, but her reputation was tarnished when the renowned race car driver Louis Chiron publicly accused her of collaborating with the Gestapo during the war. Despite the lack of evidence, the accusations had a detrimental impact on Ellie's life. She was ostracized by friends, family, and the racing community, and her financial situation deteriorated.

Ellie lived the remainder of her life in poverty and isolation, relying on assistance from charitable organizations. She passed away in 1984, and her body was cremated with the support of a charitable organization. It was a tragic end for one of the brightest stars of early motorsport.

In 2010, author Miranda Seymour published a book called "Queen of Bugatti," which extensively researched Ellie's life and conclusively disproved the accusations of collaboration with the Gestapo. However, Louis Chiron, who died in 1979, never revealed why he had falsely accused Ellie Nice.