Wallis Simpson | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : January 07, 2025

Who is Wallis Simpson?

Wallis Simpson, born Bessie Wallis Warfield on June 19, 1896, in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, was an American socialite whose life became the center of one of the most notable scandals in British history. Raised in a privileged environment, Wallis attended prestigious schools and navigated both high society and personal strife throughout her early life. After two tumultuous marriages, she caught the attention of Edward, the Prince of Wales, in the early 1930s, ultimately changing her life forever as she became his mistress. Their relationship sparked outrage and led to an unprecedented constitutional crisis when Edward chose love over duty and abdicated the throne in December 1936.

On June 3, 1937, following her divorce from Ernest Aldrich Simpson, Wallis married Edward and assumed the title of Duchess of Windsor. While their union was met with skepticism, particularly due to Wallis being an American divorcée, she carved out a life alongside Edward that defied the rigid norms of the British monarchy. Their marriage brought Wallis both privilege and isolation, and after Edward's death in 1972, she withdrew from public life. Wallis Simpson remains a complex figure in history; her relationship with Edward not only altered royal traditions but has also been revisited in modern times, serving as a reminder of the enduring clash between love and royal duty.

Early Life and Education

Wallis Simpson, born Bessie Wallis Warfield on June 19, 1896, in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, was the only child of Teackle Wallis Warfield and Alice Montague. Following her father's untimely death due to tuberculosis when she was just a baby, Wallis and her mother relied heavily on the financial support of her wealthy uncle, Solomon Davies Warfield. This assistance allowed Wallis to receive a quality education at Oldfields School, the most prestigious girls' institution in Maryland at the time. It was here that she not only excelled academically but also developed a reputation for her impeccable style and fashion sense, traits that would define her later socialite persona.

In 1916, Wallis stepped into the world of matrimony when she wed Earl Winfield Spencer Jr., a U.S. Navy aviator. Their marriage, however, struggled under the weight of Spencer’s alcoholism, leading to a tumultuous relationship. During their time together, Wallis experienced various living conditions, from military postings in California to a stay in China. Following their divorce in 1927, Wallis found herself entangled in her second marriage to English-American shipping executive Ernest Aldrich Simpson in 1928. It was during this period in London that she met and ultimately captivated Edward, the Prince of Wales, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in her life that would eventually lead her to royal scandal and abdication.

Marriage to Earl Winfield Spencer Jr.

Wallis Simpson's first marriage was to Earl Winfield Spencer Jr., a U.S. Navy aviator, whom she wed in November 1916. The couple's union was characterized by challenges, primarily due to Spencer's battle with alcoholism, which strained their relationship considerably. During their marriage, they lived in various locations, including San Diego, Washington, D.C., and even China, where the couple experienced a significant shift in their personal dynamics. Wallis referred to this tumultuous period in her life as her "lotus year," a time when she traveled alone through China, seeking independence and clarity amidst her troubled marriage.

Their marriage ultimately deteriorated, leading to a divorce in 1927. This period marked a turning point for Wallis, as it not only freed her from a difficult relationship but also opened the door for new opportunities. After her divorce from Spencer, Wallis's social status was elevated, allowing her to immerse herself in high society where she would later cross paths with influential figures. This backdrop of marital challenges set the stage for her subsequent romance with Edward, Duke of Windsor, dramatically altering the course of her life and shaping her legacy in history.

Adventures and Relationship with Edward, Duke of Windsor

Wallis Simpson's relationship with Edward, the Duke of Windsor, began in the early 1930s, leading to a dramatic turning point in British monarchy history. Initially introduced at a party in 1931, Wallis captivated the prince, and by 1934, she had become his mistress. Despite being married to Ernest Aldrich Simpson at the time, the connection between Wallis and Edward deepened, attracting media attention and sparking controversy among the British establishment. Their clandestine affair saw them vacationing together across Europe, further entwining their lives and fueling gossip that would culminate in the momentous abdication crisis.

The abdication crisis reached a climax in late 1936 when Edward ascended the throne following the death of his father, King George V. Faced with insurmountable pressure from the Church of England and the public to abandon his intentions to marry Wallis, who was still technically married, Edward made the controversial decision to abdicate on December 11, 1936. In a historic BBC broadcast, he famously declared that he could not fulfill his royal duties without the support of "the woman I love." The couple's marriage followed swiftly on June 3, 1937, after Wallis's divorce was finalized, marking a significant moment in royal history and reshaping the landscape of the British monarchy forever.

The Abdication Crisis and Becoming Duchess of Windsor

Wallis Simpson's relationship with Edward, Duke of Windsor, sparked a constitutional crisis in Britain, known as the abdication crisis. When Edward ascended to the throne on January 20, 1936, he was determined to marry Wallis, who was still married to her second husband, Ernest Aldrich Simpson. This decision ignited outrage among the British establishment, primarily because Wallis was a two-time divorcée, a status that was socially unacceptable at the time. As pressure mounted from religious and political leaders, Edward faced a monumental choice: forgo the throne or abandon the woman he loved.

Ultimately, the crisis culminated on December 11, 1936, when Edward delivered a heartfelt address to the nation, announcing his abdication. He declared that he could not fulfill his duties as king without the support of "the woman I love." Following Wallis's divorce from Simpson in May 1937, the couple wed on June 3, and she became known as the Duchess of Windsor. Their union symbolized a radical shift in royal traditions and often evoked public curiosity and disapproval. Despite the controversy, Wallis's life was forever intertwined with the legacy of the British monarchy, leaving her mark on history as a figure of both love and scandal.

Personal Life: Married Life and Husband

Wallis Simpson's personal life was marked by two tumultuous marriages before she found her place in history alongside Edward, Duke of Windsor. Her first marriage was to Earl Winfield Spencer Jr. in 1916, which proved to be fraught with challenges, primarily due to her husband's struggle with alcoholism. Their disconnect deepened over time, leading Wallis to embark on a solo journey to China, after which they divorced in 1927. This experience shaped her understanding of independence and desire for a more fulfilling life, which she sought in her subsequent relationship.

In 1928, Wallis married Ernest Aldrich Simpson, an English-American shipping executive. Their life together was characterized by affluence and a mix of social engagements, yet Wallis soon became embroiled in an affair with Edward, the Prince of Wales. Their relationship developed into a scandalous romance that ultimately led to Edward's abdication from the throne in favor of marrying Wallis, who became the Duchess of Windsor. Their wedding on June 3, 1937, marked a significant moment in royal history, changing the landscape of the British monarchy forever. Wallis's journey from a socialite to a duchess illustrates the profound impact of love on her life and the challenges she faced in an unforgiving royal environment.

Net Worth and Earning: Financial Legacy

Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, had a complex financial legacy that reflected her status as a former royal and an American socialite. After marrying Edward, Duke of Windsor, she was bestowed with a substantial annual allowance from the Duke’s family, which granted her a comfortable lifestyle. Although the specifics of her net worth at the time of her passing in 1986 remain somewhat elusive, estimates suggest she enjoyed assets that may have reached millions, benefiting from investment portfolios, jewelry, and real estate acquired during her lifetime.

In addition to her personal wealth, Wallis's marriage to Edward significantly impacted her financial positioning. Following the abdication crisis, where Edward relinquished the throne for love, the couple faced a life removed from royal tradition and financial security from the crown. Nevertheless, their move to France and association with elite circles allowed them considerable social capital. Wallis also amassed a collection of fine jewelry, some of which had deep historical significance, enhancing her financial legacy even further. Thus, while she stepped away from a formal title as Queen, her financial acumen and social connections ensured that she maintained a notable standard of living throughout her life.