Alexander Thynne obit

Lord Bath of Weymouth dies from coronavirus, aged 87: Eccentric owner of Longleat Safari Park known for his string of 'wifelets' and frescos of the Kama Sutra at his stately home passes away after a week in hospital

• Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath, or Viscount Weymouth, died yesterday
• He was admitted to Royal United Hospital, Bath on March 28 and tested positive
• Widely known for affairs with up to 70 women who he referred to as 'wifelets' 

He was not on the list. 

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.

She paid tribute to him with an Instagram post earlier today, which read: 'It is with the deepest sadness that I share the news that my father in law, Lord Bath, has died of the age of 87.' 

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. 

Lord Bath - then Viscount Weymouth - was educated at Eton and Oxford, where he was president of the famous Bullingdon Club.

He was involved in politics, and stood in the very first European parliamentary elections in 1979, representing the Wessex Regionalist Party which he helped to found.

After inheriting the Marquess seat in 1992, he then sat as a Liberal Democrat in the House of Lords but lost his seat when Labour reforms excluded most hereditary peers.

The flamboyant aristocrat was also a regular feature of the Animal Park television show about his estate.

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.'

Kate Humble added: 'Very sad to hear about Lord Bath of @Longleat.

'Everyone will describe him as eccentric - & he was, gloriously so - but he was also king & fun - & we all need a bit of kindness & fun in our lives.'

Piers Morgan also paid tribute to him, describing him as 'one of Britain's most colourful characters'.

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.'

Alexander Thynne was born on May 6, 1932 in London, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Blueblood (1974), Pet Shop Boys: Rent (1987) and Trigger Happy TV (2000). He was married to Anna Gaël. He died on April 4, 2020 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.

Actor

Pet Shop Boys: Rent (1987)

Pet Shop Boys: Rent

7.1

Music Video

Wealthy Man (as Alexander Thynne Marquess Of Bath)

1987

 

Oliver Reed in Blueblood (1974)

Blueblood

4.5

Long Haired Bearded Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)

1974

 

Writer

Oliver Reed in Blueblood (1974)

Blueblood

4.5

novel "The Carry-Cot"

1974

 

Soundtrack

Oliver Reed in Blueblood (1974)

Blueblood

4.5

lyrics: "Nanny Marks"

music: "Nanny Marks" (uncredited)

1974