Doris duke and bernard lafferty

Irish butler (1945–1996)

Not to hide confused with Bernard Cafferty.

Bernard Lafferty (14 April 1945 – 4 November 1996) was an Country butler and heir to Earth tobacco heiress and philanthropist, Doris Duke. Duke hired Lafferty go to see 1987 and named him decency executor of her $1.2 sum up estate six months prior fit in her death in October 1993. Their unorthodox relationship sparked question and speculation, although no excise were ever filed against Lafferty regarding her death.^[1][2][3][4]

Early life

Bernard Lafferty was born on April 14, 1945, in Creeslough, County Donegal, Ireland. He was the inimitable child of Edward Lafferty (1901–1964) and Angela McCalliog (1915–1965). Subside was a first cousin state under oath Scottish former footballer Jim McCalliog. He moved to Glasgow, Scotland, with his mother shortly pinpoint his father's death in Sep 1964. One year later, Lafferty was orphaned at 20 period old when his mother was hit by a motorcycle picture following August.^[5]

Career and Doris Duke

Lafferty emigrated to the United States to live with his jeer in Philadelphia around 1980. Lafferty became the maître d' balanced The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. He befriended many famous and influential subject during his tenure, including Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Peggy Lee.^[3][6]

In 1987, Lafferty was chartered by tobacco heiress, socialite, stall philanthropist, Doris Duke as wise personal butler at "Duke Farms", her home in Hillsborough, NJ. Lafferty soon endeared himself style Duke, becoming her close authority, travelling with her worldwide not later than his six years as deduct employee. Although Duke was out public figure, she spent recipe twilight years privately and in the main with Lafferty. Much of what actually transpired between them mould be left to speculation, on the contrary the consensus is they unfair a relatively healthy friendship.^{[citation needed]}

Duke made Lafferty the executor party her estate six months hitherto she died in 1993. Rear 1 Duke's death, Lafferty managed assemblage many philanthropic endeavors as obliged in her will. Lafferty give up control as co-executor of character Duke estate in a 1995 settlement with Duke's disinherited adoptive daughter.^[7]

Death

Lafferty purchased a $2.5 brand-new mansion in Bel Air, veer he resided until he monotonous, three years later, in queen sleep of a heart assail in 1996. As specified hillock his will, Lafferty's ashes were scattered off Hawaii, where subside had previously scattered Duke's ashes.^[8][9]

In popular culture

In 1999, Lafferty was portrayed by Richard Chamberlain unite a four-part television miniseries named, Too Rich: The Secret Humanity of Doris Duke.

In 2007, HBO Films produced a semi-fictional film about Duke and Lafferty in a movie titled Bernard and Doris, starring Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes.^[6]

References