Blanche Blackwell

Blanche Lindo was born on 9 December 1912 in San José, Costa Rica, the daughter of Percival Henriques "Percy" Lindo and Hilda Violet Lindo.[4][5][6][7]

Lindo was a product of cousin marriage, both her mother and father descendants of the Lindo family, a Sephardi Jewish family originally from Spain who suffered persecution for their religion, and so became New Christians. Ultimately, Blackwell's ancestor, Alexandre Lindo, would go onto settle in Kingston, Jamaica in the 18th century and he and his descendants would make their fortune there as merchants, financiers and planters.

Lindo was educated in Kingston by a private tutor until, at sixteen, she was sent to Garrett Hall to further her studies. She wed Joseph Blackwell, of the Crosse & Blackwell fortune, in 1936 and their only child, Christopher Gordon Percy Blackwell, was born the following year.[6]

During her life Blackwell became known for her role as friend, mistress and muse to Ian Fleming[8] who lived nearby in Jamaica. On first meeting Fleming at a dinner party the two did not immediately hit it off, but their friendship developed into a deeper and creative one.[9]

Fleming's marriage to Ann Charteris had suffered, owing to her disapproval of the James Bond novels, and she was often away from the couple's home in Jamaica.[10] Blackwell is believed by some to have been the inspiration for some of Fleming's most memorable female characters, Pussy Galore and Honeychile Ryder.[11][3] Her brother, Roy Lindo, sold land to Fleming and Coward for their Jamaican houses.[2]

Blackwell became friends with prominent figures and celebrities of the time, including Errol Flynn, whom she met when he was holidaying in Jamaica.[3] She continued to be involved with her son's life and work, hosting parties and giving advice.[12]

Blackwell died in London on 8 August 2017 at the age of 104.[13][11]