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Zara BateAustralian fashion designer
Date of Birth: 10.03.1909
Country:  Australia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Fashion Career
- Marriage to James Fell
- Marriage to Harold Holt
- Prime Minister's Wife
- Public Service and Honors
- Third Marriage and Later Life
Early Life and Education
Zara Kate Dickins was born on March 10, 1909, in Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She was the daughter of Sydney Herbert Dickins and Violet Dickins. She received her education at Ruyton Girls' School in Melbourne and completed her secondary studies at Toorak College.
Fashion Career
At the age of 16, Zara Kate Dickins and her friend, Betty James, opened a clothing store on Little Collins Street in Melbourne in 1925. Later, she opened a ladies' frock salon called 'Magg' in Toorak Village, which she operated for many years until its sale in 1976.
Marriage to James Fell
Zara Kate Dickins married Colonel James Fell and had three sons with him: Nicholas in 1937 and twins Sam and Andrew in 1939. However, the marriage ended in divorce soon after the birth of the twins.
Marriage to Harold Holt
In 1947, Zara married Harold Holt, a politician from the Liberal Party who became Australia's 17th Prime Minister in 1966. Holt legally adopted her sons and gave them his surname. It is speculated that Holt was the biological father of the twins.
Prime Minister's Wife
Harold Holt served in Robert Menzies's cabinet from 1949, became deputy leader of the Liberal Party in 1956, and treasurer in 1958. When Menzies retired in January 1966, Holt took over as Prime Minister. However, tragedy struck in December 1967 when Holt disappeared while swimming. His body was never recovered, and he was officially declared drowned.
Public Service and Honors
On the Queen's Birthday in June 1968, Zara Holt was awarded the high honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to the community. She also published an autobiography titled 'My Life and Harry: An Autobiography' in 1968.
Third Marriage and Later Life
On March 22, 1969, Zara Holt married Jeff Bate, a farmer and Liberal Party politician. They were both in their third marriages and remained together for 15 years. After Bate's death in 1984, Zara moved to the Gold Coast, a resort city on Queensland's south-eastern coast. She passed away on June 14, 1989, at the age of 80.
