One of the most notable qualities of Aristotle Onassis was that he never held back. No matter how vulgar, despite mingling with the crème de la crème of international society, his words seemed like judgments. At the same time, he could also be amusing.
On one occasion, several guests were seated on the stools of the bar on his yacht, named Christina O, when he suddenly exclaimed, "Ladies, you are sitting on the largest penises on the planet." It was not a joke. The leather seats were made from whale foreskin.
Ari, as he was known to his close circle, purchased in 1954 from an American scrap dealer what remained of an antisubmarine frigate that had participated in the historic D-Day, the Normandy landings that marked one of the first steps towards the end of World War II.
He paid 54,000 dollars for a 99-meter long and 10.9-meter wide vessel that would become the grand dame of the oceans. Anyone who considered themselves part of the international jet set had to be invited by the Greek shipowner who sought to outshine his great rival, the Greek shipowner Stavros Niarchos. However, Niarchos soon retaliated by acquiring an even larger yacht named Atlantis II, measuring 116 meters in length.
A piece of history is currently for sale, as the Christina O, named in honour of the magnate's only daughter, can be acquired for just 52 million euros. This represents a reduction of over 40% compared to its previous price. A bargain considering the other vessels currently sailing the seas. Its last owner was an Irish lawyer and businessman named Ivor Fitzpatrick, who passed away two years ago without leaving a will.
The Christina O has capacity for 34 guests accommodated in 17 suites and can host a crew of up to 38 professionals. During its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, the 'who's who' of the elites had spent the night on this floating mansion on more than one occasion.
To get an idea of who frequented it, it is enough to say that Grace Kelly and Rainier III of Monaco celebrated their wedding reception there in 1956, as Ari had started lucrative business dealings with the prince that would later bring him great troubles. Retired from the cinema for two decades, Greta Garbo enjoyed doing gymnastics on the bow without hesitation. As her close friend, Countess Marina Cicogna, granddaughter of the founder of the Venice Film Festival and the first female European producer, revealed to LOC, "I remember that we went to a nudist island in the south of France and a man appeared water skiing to see what was happening on the Christina. Suddenly, Garbo said, 'Look, look, I think it's a man, but I haven't seen one in a long time, so I'm not sure'."
Undoubtedly, his two most legendary guests were Jackie Kennedy and Maria Callas, who captured his heart. The opera diva was his most famous lover, a relationship that began in 1959 while he was still married to Tina Livanos, who would later marry John Spencer-Churchill -a relative of Lady Di- and Stavros Niarchos. Callas was also married to Giovanni Meneghini.
The union of Onassis and Callas seemed destined for a movie-like marriage until Jackie Kennedy, who had just lost her husband, John F. Kennedy, entered the scene. When America's widow set foot on deck for the first time in October 1963, the story of all involved changed forever.
It was on the yacht where, five years later, the Greek shipowner would host the banquet for his marriage to Jackie, the most famous woman on the planet. Callas never recovered from that humiliation.
Before the sale of the Christina O is finalised, it can be rented for 700,000 euros per week or for special events, as was done in 2019 by Heidi Klum in Capri for her wedding to Tom Kaulitz.
The interiors, designed by Apostolos Molindris, retain historical details, memories, and iconic elements, while the exteriors are by Pinnau, featuring spacious terraces, lounges, bars, and areas designed for entertainment.
Among the original elements are the lapis lazuli fireplace in the lounge and the bar stools whose footrests are made from whale teeth. The yacht's premises feature photos from the era and portraits of its illustrious guests such as Winston Churchill and Elizabeth Taylor with Richard Burton, Jackie's Life magazine covers, Callas' gold records...