Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee who prompted King Edward VIII to abdicate the throne in 1936, spent her final years as a frail shadow of her former glamorous self. Ravaged by dementia, poor health, and profound loneliness after her husband’s death, she fell under the abusive control of her French lawyer, Suzanne Blum. Blum isolated Simpson from loved ones, sold her heirlooms for personal gain, and seized power of attorney over her estate.
New Biopic Spotlights Coercive Relationship
The upcoming film The Bitter End dramatizes this toxic dynamic, with Joan Collins portraying the Duchess of Windsor and Isabella Rossellini as Blum. Royal biographer Hugo Vickers describes Blum as a ‘Satanic figure… wearing the mantle of good intention to disguise her inner malevolence.’
Life with the Duke of Windsor
After Edward VIII abdicated to marry Simpson, the couple enjoyed a lavish lifestyle as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. They attended high-society parties in France and America, vacationed extravagantly, and resided in their Paris home, Villa Windsor, in the Bois de Boulogne.
Johanna Schutz, hired as their private secretary in 1969 at age 26, became like a daughter to the pair. She witnessed the Duke’s devotion, as he awaited Simpson’s return from outings. Though Simpson occasionally felt ‘trapped’ by his love, they remained devoted for 35 years until his death in 1972 at age 77.
Decline After Widowhood
The Duke’s passing left Simpson bereft. Living beyond their means, with limited royal allowance, forced financial cutbacks. French authorities deferred death duties and offered Villa Windsor at low rent, preserving some dignity.
Schutz supported the grieving widow, sharing meals and traveling with her. Yet Simpson formed few close bonds, shunned by the royal family for her role in the abdication, which elevated the Duke of York to King George VI. Tensions persisted, exacerbated by Simpson’s nickname ‘Cookie’ for the Queen Mother.
Suzanne Blum’s Cruel Control
Blum’s relationship with Simpson evolved from professional to exploitative. She dismissed Simpson’s English lawyer, staff—including chef, chauffeur, and hairdresser—and barred friends, citing fatigue.
Simpson’s health deteriorated with atherosclerosis, causing confusion and immobility. She imagined the Duke alive and relived the abdication. A 1972 Christmas fall broke her hip, untreated for months until surgery at age 76. Blum then ousted lawyer Godfrey Morley, securing sole power of attorney.
Blum advanced in France’s Legion d’Honneur after Simpson altered her will, bequeathing items to museums as thanks for housing support. A 1975 intestinal hemorrhage left Simpson speechless and bedridden. Nurses noted her pleas for relief: ‘the Good Lord would take her away.’ One nurse observed, ‘It gives me great distress to see HRH… becoming little by little a lady who suffers terribly.’
Exploitation of Possessions
Instilling fears of overspending, Blum sold silver, porcelain, and jewels despite Simpson’s refusals. Recipients included banker Maurice Amiguet (earrings, bracelet, necklace), doctor Jean Thin (watches, gold box), and Blum herself (amethyst ring, Louis XV box, ruby earrings, Cartier watch). These defied the Duke’s will to return items to the royals.
Schutz recalled Blum’s threats: she warned French authorities would evict Simpson unless bequeathing to the Louis Pasteur Institute. After Simpson’s 1986 death, Sotheby’s auctioned the collection for £31 million to the institute.
Blum published the couple’s private letters, against Simpson’s wishes. Nurses allegedly drugged her, enabling sales. Schutz left in 1978, refusing a contract under Blum. Simpson’s pugs were removed over infection fears.
Night nurse Elvire Gozin described Simpson dying ‘in a slum,’ a ‘prisoner in her own home,’ with cheap makeup replacing luxury creams and tattered bedding. Gozin’s photos showed her amid life-support machines. Doctor Thin removed her wedding ring due to arthritis.
Final Days and Funeral
Dean James Leo administered last rites in April 1986; Simpson squeezed his hand. Close friend Lady Diana Mosley said her years were ‘not really a life at all,’ adding, ‘I’m delighted to hear she has died. I wish she’d died many years ago.’
The funeral at St George’s Chapel was brief, attended by Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher, and Neil Kinnock. The Queen sent lilies. Burial at Frogmore Mausoleum included the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Charles, Diana, and aides. The Queen Mother stayed away. Princess Diana noted the Queen shedding a tear—the only time she witnessed it.
This marked the end of a scandalous marriage and 15 years of Blum’s predation.
