Consuelo Yznaga was born in 1853, in New York City, the second of four children of diplomat Antonio Modesto Yznaga del Valle and Ellen Maria Clement. Her father was from an old Cuban family that owned a large plantation and sugar mills in the vicinity of Trinidad, Cuba; they had connections to several Spanish aristocratic families. Her mother, Ellen Maria Clement, was the daughter of Samuel Clement, a steamboat captain, and Maria Augusta Little. She grew up at Ravenswood Plantation in Concordia Parish, Louisiana, which she inherited when her parents died. Her parents acquired properties in New York and in Newport, Rhode Island, while retaining the plantations in Cuba and Louisiana. Her sister, Naticia Yznaga, married Sir John Lister-Kaye, 3rd Baronet in 1881. Her brother, Fernando Yznaga, was married to Mary Virginia "Jennie" Smith, sister of Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont, Consuelo's childhood best friend.
Life and activities
In her teenage years, she became known on New York's social scene as one of the group called the Buccaneers. During her marriage, she engaged herself in charitable organizations. Poverty was a cause that concerned her, and she was also interested in education and health. The Duchess of Manchester was a renowned beauty, as were her sisters – Emilie Yznaga and Natividad Yznaga. The latter was the wife of Sir John Pepys Lister-Kaye, 3rd Baronet. The Duchess was a celebrated society figure, belonging to the intimate circle of Edward VII of the United Kingdom, formerly the Prince of Wales. Shortly before her death, she entertained King Edward and Nicholas II, the Czar of Russia, while the Czar was on a visit in England. Upon her brother's death in 1901, he left her $2,000,000.
Lady Jacqueline Mary Alva Montagu, known as "May", who, although not diagnosed before she died, is commonly believed to have died of consumption.
Lady Alice Eleanor Louise Montagu, known as "Nell", who died of consumption.
Death and legacy
The Duchess died of neuritis on 20 November 1909. At her bedside upon her death were her sisters, Lady Lister-Kaye and Emily Yznaga. Her estate, valued at $2,493,131, was left to her various family members. On her death in 1909, the Duchess bequeathed a bracelet to her friend Queen Alexandra. The Manchester Tiara, created for the Duchess by Cartier in 1903, is now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Her diamond and emerald necklace was auctioned by Sotheby's in 2015.
Titles and styles
185322 May 1876: Miss Consuelo Yznaga
22 May 187622 March 1890: Viscountess Mandeville
22 March 189018 August 1892: Her Grace The Duchess of Manchester
18 August 189220 November 1909: Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Manchester
