The eccentric owner of Longleat Safari Park Lord Bath has died aged 87 after testing positive for coronavirus. Alexander Thynn, the 7th...
The eccentric owner of Longleat Safari Park Lord Bath has died aged 87 after testing positive for coronavirus.
Alexander Thynn, the 7th Marquess of Bath, died at the Royal United Hospital in Bath yesterday after being admitted on March 28.
He was the owner of Longleat Safari Park in Warminster, but was best known for his flamboyant dress sense and affairs with as many as 70 women, which he referred to as his 'wifelets'.
Viscount Weymouth gave many of his mistresses homes to live in within the grounds of his sprawling Wiltshire estate.
They caused upset when his son, Ceawllin Thynn, took over day-to-day management of Longleat in 2010 and eventually ended with him boycotting his son's wedding to Strictly Come Dancing star Emma Weymouth.
Lord Bath of Longleat is pictured outside Longleat House in Wiltshire, where Longleat Safari Park is situated. He has died aged 87
Lord Bath is pictured feeding giraffes at Longleat in Wiltshire in 1993
Lord Bath is pictured being touched by a chimpanzee called 'Teddy' at Longleat Safari Park in April 1996
Lord Bath is pictured with his son Viscount Weymouth at Longleat Safari Park
Ceawlin Thynn, Lord Bath's son, is married to model and socialite Emma McQuiston, now known as Emma Weymouth
Viscount Weymouth was married to Anna Gael, with whom he had two children, but had affairs with 70 'wifelets' who he tried to put up around the Longleat estates.
He was a prolific amateur painter and studied art in Paris in the 1950s, where he is believed to have picked up his colourful taste in clothes.
The eccentric aristocrat also had frescoes done of the Kama Sutra so he could decorate his lavish home with erotic images.
In 2009 he was ranked 359th in the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated net worth of £157million.
Longleat Safari Park said in a statement: 'It is with the deepest sadness we have to announce Lord Bath has died at the age of 87.
'The family would like to express their greatest appreciation for the dedicated team of nurses, doctors and other staff who cared so professionally and compassionately for Alexander in these extremely difficult times for everyone.'
TV presenter Ben Fogle paid tribute to Lord Bath on Twitter, posting a picture of him and his colleague Kate Humble with the safari park owner.
He wrote: 'Devastated to hear the sad passing of Lord Bath. We spent nearly two decades with the eccentric and colourful Lord at Longleat filming Animal Park.
'He will be missed. Sending my love and condolences to the family @Emmaweymouth1 and everyone at @Longleat.'
Viscount Weymouth was known for his colourful dress sense, which he picked up as an art student in Paris in the 1950s. He is pictured in a bold ensemble at Longleat in April 2005
Lord Bath is pictured outside Longleat House in Warminsiter, Wiltshire, in April 2006
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