The luxurious vessel that the Gucci family still cherishes today is a classic yacht built in the 1920s. This is one of the most iconic yachts of all time, with many tragic stories intertwined with its history.
The Creole yacht became globally famous after being purchased by Maurizio Gucci. However, the tragic death of Maurizio seemed to add an air of mystery to the vessel, which is already associated with numerous dramatic events.
Creole is a legendary yacht, known for its history, dark legends, and close ties to the famous Gucci family. According to veteran photographer Gilles Martin-Raget, Creole is “a vessel that surpasses all standards of size, aesthetics, and history.” – (Photo: Autoevolution).
Linked to War and Death
Creole was the most beautiful sailing yacht at its launch in 1927. According to veteran photographer Gilles Martin-Raget, Creole is “a vessel that exceeds all standards of size, aesthetics, and history.”
Creole is a “beautiful lady,” a masterpiece not only in the era it was created but its glory continues to this day – (Photo: Autoevolution)
Alexander Smith Cochran, an American carpet manufacturing tycoon known as the “richest bachelor in New York” at the time, became the first owner of the yacht, then named Vira.
With a height of approximately 63m, Vira/Creole is truly magnificent and remains one of the largest sailing yachts in the world to this day – (Photo: Autoevolution)
However, Vira faced misfortune shortly after its launch. Cochran requested modifications, such as shortening the mast, leading to poor performance and safety issues as the yacht became more unstable.
Not only did he ruin the original design, but Cochran also did not enjoy it for long, as he passed away at the age of 55 just two years after the yacht was launched.
The first owner ruined the yacht’s design and died after just two years of ownership due to illness – (Photo: Boat International)
Vira was sold to yacht enthusiast Maurice Pope, who renamed it Creole after a dessert created by the chef on board.
In 1937, Creole came under the ownership of British baron Sir Connop Guthrie and was restored to its original form. However, not long after, World War II broke out, and the yacht was commandeered for military service.
After its wartime service, Creole fell into disrepair. When it was returned to the Guthrie family, it was neglected as Connop had passed away.
What was thought to be a chance for a new home, Creole became a witness to an unresolved tragedy – (Photo: Milky Yachts)
By 1948, Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos purchased it and restored it once again. Creole quickly became his most valuable possession, but ultimately, it would also become a silent witness to a mysterious tragedy.
What transpired on the night of May 3, 1970, remains unclear to this day. The official version states that Eugenia, Niarchos’s wife, committed suicide by overdosing on tranquilizers, despite the autopsy revealing severe bruising on her body.
Some believe Eugenia discovered Niarchos was attempting to seduce her sister, leading to a violent confrontation. However, this story has never been verified; what is certain is that Creole became the funeral vessel that carried Eugenia’s body back to shore.
Eugenia’s death marked the end of Niarchos’s love for Creole, and it began to be referred to as “the cursed yacht.”
Creole was sold to the Danish government in 1977 to serve as a training ship for youth, including those struggling with drug addiction. It remains unclear if there were any incidents related to “the white death,” but due to high maintenance costs, Creole was almost abandoned.
Landing in the Gucci Family
In 1983, Maurizio Gucci acquired the yacht and had it restored once again. Allegra Gucci, Maurizio’s youngest daughter, described to Boat International that Creole is not “just an ordinary classic yacht, but a massive classic yacht.”
The old vessel once again became a symbol of luxury. The twin MTU engines ensured that Creole could cruise comfortably at a speed of 11 knots (20 km/h). Six bedrooms accommodate 11 guests, made from the finest materials and adorned with countless works of art. Reports suggest that the bedroom alone cost 800,000 euros.
Currently, Creole is owned by Allegra Gucci – (Photo: Boat International)
Once again, darkness loomed over Creole. Patrizia Reggiani, Maurizio’s wife, was very superstitious. She convinced her husband to hire a medium to exorcise the spirits she believed haunted the yacht. The medium claimed to have successfully banished the evil forces, but the Gucci family could not escape the fate of separation.
Maurizio was convicted of purchasing Creole with illegal funds. After escaping conviction, Maurizio divorced Patrizia, pouring all his money into restoring Creole. While he enjoyed the luxury of the yacht, he seemed to be preparing to remarry his ex-wife’s close friend.
Patrizia became jealous because he spent such a large amount on Creole while she had to live in a modest apartment with their children. Maurizio was assassinated, and Patrizia was convicted of hiring someone to kill her ex-husband.
Such tragedy, yet Maurizio’s two daughters, the heirs of Creole, remained determined to preserve the yacht intact as a memory of their brief joyful times.
It seems that Maurizio’s murder in 1995 ended the chain of tragedies associated with Creole, leaving behind a masterpiece at sea that is still well-maintained despite its nearly hundred-year history – (Photo: Boat International)
To this day, Creole remains a part of the Gucci family’s legacy, still in excellent condition and continues to be one of the most impressive wooden sailing yachts still in operation after a century of existence.
Maintaining the massive wooden and steel yacht with 1,579 m2 of sails is no simple task. However, Maurizio’s daughter remains determined to preserve its original beauty, including the original black paint. For creating a new yacht is simple, but that vessel would lack the history and memories of the family. Allegra even races Creole, proving that this “95-year-old lady” worth 20 million USD is still in great shape – (Photo: Boat International)
Some other images of Creole:
