Gilded Lily: Lily Safra: The Making of One of the World's Wealthiest Widows

“Isabel Vincent has written a riveting account of the life of the international socialite and billionairess Lily Safra, allegedly the third richest woman in the world.... It’s a very good read.” — Dominick Dunne

In this absorbing biography of Brazilian-born philanthropist and socialite Lily Safra—the first ever published—acclaimed investigative journalist Isabel Vincent (Bodies and Souls) delves beneath the intrigue surrounding one of the world’s richest women. From her humble beginnings in a Rio de Janeiro shantytown to the tragic death of her fourth husband, legendary billionaire banker Edmond Safra, in an arsonist’s fire in their Monte Carlo penthouse, Gilded Lily combines all the elements of compelling fiction in an absolutely enthralling account.

The mesmerizing biography of one of the world's richest, most intriguing women—philanthropist and socialite Lily Safra

In the early morning of December 3, 1999, Lily Safra stood shivering in her nightgown on the grounds outside her sumptuous Monte Carlo penthouse where, just hours before, her fourth husband, reclusive billionaire Edmond Safra, died in a fire. An American nurse employed by the Safra family was eventually convicted of the arson death. Overnight, Lily became one of the wealthiest widows in the world.

The Brazilian-born Lily Safra was no stranger to tragedy. In 1969, her second husband, the Brazilian multimillionaire Alfredo Monteverde, died from two gunshots to the chest. The Brazilian authorities ruled it a suicide. In 1989, her beloved eldest son and four-year-old grandson died in a car accident. But just who is Lily Safra? Despite having become a fixture in society columns for her generous charity work and lavish parties, the elegant and enigmatic widow has remained in the background.

Gilded Lily tells Lily Safra's story for the first time. Using archival sources, court documents, and interviews with childhood friends and former employees in South America, investigative journalist Isabel Vincent chronicle's Safra's rise from humble origins in Brazil to fabled wealth in London, New York, and Monaco.

“A compelling biography that reads like fiction.” - Washington Times

“Isabel Vincent has written a riveting account of the life of the international socialite and billionairess Lily Safra, allegedly the third richest woman in the world. As the widow of Edmond Safra, the most famous banker of his time, who was murdered in the Safra penthouse in Monte Carlo,Lily stepped into the spotlight of dark fame and became the most discussed woman in high-society circles in London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and New York. Ms. Vincent has written the whole story of Mrs. Safra’s fascinating life. She understands the details of the lives of the very, very rich. It’s a very good read.” - Dominick Dunne, Vanity Fair reporter and expert on the Safra case

“A skillfully executed exposé of the life of the Brazilian-born widow of Monaco banker Edmond Safra. . . . Journalist Vincent delves fearlessly into the messy, lucky, upwardly mobile climb of four-time-married Lily Safra nee Watkins. . . . Great reporting.” - Publishers Weekly