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Countess Francesca McKnight Donatella Romana Gregorini de Savingniano di Romagnia was born on August 7, 1968 in Rome, Italy to Augusto and Barbara Goldbach Gregorini. Francesca was born and raised until the age of 8 in Rome Italy. There she lived in a huge four-storey converted church, and attended the Scred Heart School runned by nuns.
In 1976, her parents divorced after 10 years of marriage. Barbara moved to the United States while Augusto remained in Italy, both of them managed to arranged custody of Francesca and her younger brother Gianni.
Francesca attended to public school in Los Angeles. She remembers: "It was awful. I was this all-Italian child and I hardly spoke English. I felt as if I'd landed on another planet. I'd left a gorgeous school and ended up in a public school in Los Angeles. I was getting into fistfights and being bullied. It was a nightmare. That's when my shyness kicked in. I started to feel isolated and alone."
In 1980, Barbara met and fell in love with ex-Beatle Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey) on the set of the movie, "Caveman". "As a stepdad he was good for my brother and me because he was the exact opposite of our dad. My dad is a real pushover - anything you want goes. Rich is very different. It's the Italian versus the Brit - and a northern Brit at that. Rich is quite staid. He introduced us to a whole other world, both good and bad."
In December that same year, while her mother and Richie were away on a holiday, Francesca called her mother and Richie to inform them that Richie's former bandmate, John Lennon, was killed in New York City. Barbara and Richie went straight to New York to consol Yoko Ono and her son with John, Sean Lennon.
On April 27, 1981, Richie and Barbara were married. Francesca and Richie's daughter from a previous marriage, Lee Starkey, served as bridesmaids.
The first ten years of Starr and Bach's marriage - a decade of drugs and drink - left the troubled teenager feeling isolated and abandoned. Much of this time was spent in Britain on 80 acres of land near Ascot which, she says, gave her 'a lifelong love of the English countryside'. Francesca continued on with school (to day/boarding school in Surrey, England).
"When I was living with them, it was their drugs heyday. I had other friends who were rocks stars and their houses were used for parties morning, noon and night. With Rich and Mum it was different. They were very much in love and they wanted nothing to do with anybody else. When Mum met Rich, I lost her in a way. But their troubles made me a better academic. I studied all the time. I was always hidden away in a room reading because Mum and Dad were out of it. I think Mum and Rich made an effort to be awake when we got home."
Francesca explains: "Seeing the drugs up close had the opposite effect on me: I rebelled against them at first. The house had a recording studio and that was my refuge."
Although she had boyfriends in the past, at the age of 19, Francesca realized that she was homosexual. Always her mum Barbra Bacn and step-dad Ringo Starr have supported her: "I wish Mum and Rich had been more shocked when I told them about my sexuality. I was like 'This is who I am' and they were totally relaxed and said 'Yeah, whatever', and then life went on exactly as it had before.'
She attended Brown University, a prestigious college on Rhode Island, to study film and in 1990 she graduated of Theater Arts and Semiotics: "It was so strange leaving England and going to America. Again, it was music which held me together. I played in various bands, and I enjoyed it. I had a release for my frustrations."
Throughout her twenties, she battled her own drug demons: "At Brown, I had my fair share of drugs and alcohol. I experimented. But there was always something in my brain which containedit. When I came to LA, I carried on doing drugs. I lost a lot of my twenties to drugs in the same way Rich and Mum lost years."
Fancesca has contributed two songs to the soundtrack of the minor film "See Jane Run" (2001), in which she also had a small acting role.
She works as a musician with her first c.d. “Sequel” (2003, where she sings, plays the guitar and the bass).
From late 2001 to 2004 she dated Australian actress Portia de Rossi (born Amanda Lee Rogers).
n the 2007 she co-wrote and co-directed with friend Tatiana Von Fürstenberg the independent film"Tanner Hall", released on 2009.
She is writing the pilot episode of "Motel Novella" with Joe and Anthony Russo who also will develop the one-hour series for HBO.
1971, November - 3 year old Francesca with her mum, model and actress Barbara Bach, from Spanish Hello! magazine. Courtesy of Carlos from barbara-bach.com
Left: Young Francesca, unknown details.
Right: Barbara Bach and Francesca Gregorini at her bed, circa 1977 (for the background poster of Barbara's film "The Spy Who Loved Me", released on 1977). Courtesy of Carlos from barbara-bach.com
1979 - Barbara, Francesca and brother Gianni. All pictures courtesy of Carlos from www.barbara-bach.com
1981, June - Francesca with "Mum and Rich". Pictures by Tony Korody.
Two families: Left, Francesca with her mum and the new family alongside Ringo Starr and his children with previous marriage (Jason Starkey and Lee Starkey, whom their mum is Maureen Cox Starkey).
Right: Francesca with mum Barbara, dad count Augusto Gregorini and younger brother Gianni. Unknown details. Thanks to Carlos from barbara-bach.com
Left: 1985, November 16th - Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach and Francesca Gregorini at Royal Albert Hall, London.
Right: 1986 - Francesca, witrh step-dad Ringo Starr and step-sister Lee Starkey at the Autumn Fashion Aid for Africa.
Below: 1986 - Francesca Gregorini, mum Barbara and step-dad Richie at "Années 60" exhibition, France.
1988, July 22 - Francesca Gregorini and Amelia Fleetwood (drummer Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac and Jenny Boyd -1960s model Pattie Boyd's younger sister- daughter) posing for Richard Young.
Teenage Francesca with mum Barbara and step-dad Ringo Starr. Unknown details.
Left: Francesca during the time she attended the Brown University (she graduated on Theatre Arts and Semiotics in 1990). From Francesca Gregorini's Official Website.
Right: Family portrait of the Starkey-Gregorini family: American actress Barbara Bach with her family, circa 1991. On either side of her are her children by her first husband, Gian Andrea ('Gianni') and Francesca Gregorini. Surrounding them are her second husband Ringo Starr's children by an earlier marriage, Jason, Lee and Zak Starkey, with Zak's wife Sarah and daughter Tatia. Photo by Terry O'Neill.
Francesca Gregorini pictured by Ian Brooks for the Hello Magazine ca. 1992 (she was 24 then). Left picture from Francesca Gregorini's Official website.
Circa 1993 - Interview with Francesca Gregorini, then 25. From her Official Website.
1993, September - Francesca Gregorini, her brother Gianni, her mum Barbara, her step-dad Ringo, her step-siblings Lee and Jason, and other friends (including Pattie Boyd and her ex-George Harrison and wife Olivia) attended at her auntie's Marjorie Bach wedding to Lord Alexander Rufus Isaac.
1994, August 6th - Barbara Bach, Ringo Starr and Francesca (in white shirt and sunglasses) on holiday with family in Saint Tropez, France.
Francesca Gregorini, Tatiana Von Furstenberg (daughter of Fashion Designer Diane Von Furstenberg) and Carolina Herrera Jr. at their new shop Steinberg and Sons. From Francesca Gregorini's Official Website.
Tatiana Von Furstenberg and her partner, actor Russel Steinberg, opened the original Steinberg and Sons in 1999 on Elizabeth Street in NYC. They relocated West in 2000 and settled in a former barbeshop in Los Feliz. Francesca Gregorini was a business partner.
2001, September - Francesca Gregorini modelling for the Mademoiselle magazine. From Francesca Gregorini's Official website.
2001, October 20th - Francesca Gregorini, fashion desigher Diane Von Fürstenberg and daughter Princess Tatiana Desirée Von Fürstenberg (her dad is Prince Egon Von Fürstenberg) attending at the Fashion for the Cure event in L.A. (California, USA). Tatiana is one of Francesca's best friends.
2001, November - "Generation Next": From left, Amy Fleetwood (Mick Fleetwood and Jenny Boyd daughter, Pattie Boyd niece), Francesca Gregorini (Ringo Starr's stepdaughter, who will perform at LA's Viper Room) and Amy's son, Wolf, in LA.
From an article about famous children of famous parents from Vanity Fair.
2001, November - First pictures published of Francesca Gregorini and girlfriend Australian actress Portia de Rossi (born Amanda Lee Rogers) dating.
2001, November 14th - Francesca Gregorini and then girlfriend Australian actress Portia de Rossi walking their dogs in Hollywood, California (USA).
All pics (except first) used with kindly permission by Luke from loveportia.org
2001, December 15th - Donovan Leitch, Kirsty Hume, Portia De Rossi, and Francesca Gregorini at the Silver Lining-Silver Lake Presents The 2nd Annual Silver Lining Benefit For The Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic. Photo by Jeff Vespa.
Many thanks to Luke from loveportia.org website for the pictures.
2002, January 17th - Francesca Gregorini and then girlriend Portia de Rossi at the Talk Magazine's Pre-Golden Globes Party helded at Mondrian, Los Angeles, California.
Many thanks to Luke from loveportia.org
2002, February 18th - Francesca Gregorini and Portia de Rossi take their dogs for a long walk before grabbing lunch in Hollywood, CA.
Many thanks to Luke from loveportia.org for most of the pictures.
2002, March 3rd - An intimate cocktail party was held at the Park Hyatt, Sydney in honour of Susan Sarandon who is in Australia to promote her new movie The Banger Sisters. Australian celebrities and Hollywood stars turned up to the party. Dennis Hooper who is in Australia for the filming of The Night They Called it a Day was there, Portia De Rossi turned up with her partner Francesca Gregorini, stepdaughter of Ringo Starr.
2002, March 17th - Francesca Gregorini and Portia de Rossi in Hollywood, California (USA).
Thanks to Luke from loveportia.org
2002, May 22nd - Francesca Gregorini and then girlfriend actress Portia de Rossi at Angeleno Magazine & Jaguar Sponsor VIP Gala Honoring Dennis Hopper And Opening Andy Warhol Retrospective at The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, CA. Picture by Sara de Boer and Gregg DeGuire.
2002, October 17th - Portia and Francesca (with actor Vincent Gallo) at the Stella McCartney & Absolut Vodka Announce Partnership Party at the Chateau Marmont, West Hollywood, California. Pictures by Chris Weeks and Amy Graves.
2002 - Article from "W Magazine" featuring Francesca Gregorini, Tatiana Von Furstenberg and Amy Fleetwood. From Francesca Gregorini Official Site.
2003, January - Birthday girl Portia de Rossi and fiancée Francesca Gregorini with a new motorbike.
2003, February - Francesca modelling for the "Out" Magazine. From her official site.
2003, April 20th - Portia de Rossi and Francesca Gregorini attend a free concert by Pete Yorn outside Tower Records, then head for lunch with a friend at Red Rock in Hollywood, CA.
Many thanks to Luke from loveportia.org
2003, May 20th - Francesca Gregorini (background, in white) and then girlfriend Portia de Rossi at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco, for the 2003 Laureus World Sports Awards. Picture by Tony Barson.
2003, May 17th - Portia de Rossi and Francesca Gregorini shop in Soho, NY.
2003, May 18th - Portia de Rossi and Francesca Gregorini are spotted at the wedding reception of Alexandra Shiva and Jonathan Sherman at The Public Theatre in New York City, NY.
Many thanks to Luke from loveportia for most of the photos.
2003, May 22nd - Portia de Rossi and friends vacation at the Eden Roc Hotel in D'Antibes, France.
From loveportia.org, many thanks to Luke.
2003, June 3rd - Francesca Gregorini shopping with mum Barbara Bach, then fiancée Portia de Rossi, step-sister Lee Starkey and friend Stella McCartney in Bond street, London. Notice that Portia is wearing the engagement ring at her left hand, and on her right hand she is wearing a tatoo of Francesca's initials (FG).
Many thanks to Luke from loveportia for some of the pics.
2003, August 21st - Ever Carradine, Portia de Rossi and fiancée Francesca Gregorini attending at the InStyle Summer Party 2003, Los Angeles, California (United States). Picture by Amy Graves.
2003, September 20th - Ryan Haddon, Christian Slater, Portia de Rossi and fiancée Francesca Gregorini at the W Magazine & Guess Hollywood Yard Sale to Benefit the Enviromental Media Association, Brentwood, CA.
2003, September 28th - Francesca Gregorini attends the StellaMcCartney Los Angeles Store opening (LA, US). Also attended her fiancée Portia de Rossi.
On 2003 Francesca launched a CD with her music, although during the 1990s she had a musical career.
2004, February 27th - W Magazine Celebrates the Academy Awards with the 2nd Annual Exclusive Style, Beauty & Fitness Retreat. Tatiana Von Fürstenberg and Francesca Gregorini attended.
2004, March 29th - Portia de Rossi, Johnny Fayva (aka Russel Steinberg, Tatiana Von Furstenberg's husband) and Portia's fiancée Francesca Gregorini at Johnny Fayva Variety Show & Audrey Bernstein's 'Jackets Required' Party, helded at Tangier, Los Feliz, California (US). Picture by Grant.
Many thanks to Luke from loveportia.org
2004, Sepember 19th - Francesca Gregorini, fiancée Portia de Rossi and some friends, including Jeffrey Tambor, Kasia Ostylun and an unknown woman at the The 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Fox After Party - Inside helded at the Spago, Beverly Hills, California (United States). Picture by George Pimentel.
Portia left Francesca on earlier December 2004 for Ellen DeGeneres (and later would marry her). Francesca was devastated.
2005, January 12th - Francesca Gregorini walks her dog near her home in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Lucky Mat.
2005, February 17th - Glamour Magazine Celebrates Power Women in Hollywood and Anne Heche and Francesca Gregorini attended.
2005, May 5th - Francesca Gregorini, fashion designer Diane Von Fürstenberg, Diane's daughter Tatiana Von Fürstenberg and Ione Skye (Donovan's daughter) at Diane Von Furstenberg Hosts CFDA Cocktail Reception in Honor of Los Angeles Fashion Community at Diane's private resdence, Beverly Hills, California.
2005, September 29th - Francesca Gregorini, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tatiana Von Furstenberg, her daughter Antonia Steinberg (daughter of Tatiana Von Fürstenberg and Rusell Steinberg) and other friends at Diane von Furstenberg Los Angeles Store Opening - Luncheon & Cocktail Party. Pictures by Jeff Vespa and Patrick McMullan..
2005, April 15th - Daphne Tavish, Ione Skye (Donovan's daughter), Francesca Gregorini and actress Kate Moennig (Gwyneth Paltrow cousin) at Paper Magazine and Jaguar 2005 to celebrate the 8th Annual Beautiful People Issue. Photo by Patrick McMullan.
It's rumoured that that night Francesca Gregorini and Kate Moenning had an affair.
Katso magazine on 31 October 2005 showing Francesca Gregorini and Alexandra Hedison, a new lover. From Francesca Gregorini fanpage.
2005, November 29th - Francesca Gregorini and current girlfriend at Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" Premiere Mann National Theatre, Westwood, CA. The film is about two cowboys (played by the late Heath Ledger and Jake Gylenhaal) who fall in love with each other. Pictures by Sara De Boer, Jen Lowery.
2006, December 13th - Tatiana Von Furstenberg (L) and Francesca Gregorini arrive at the announcement of the charity collaboration between fashion designers Dolce & Gabbana and actress Penelope Cruz to benefit The Art of Elysium at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, California. Picture by Charley Gallay.
2007, February 25th - Francesca Gregorini and current girlfriend Alexandra Hedison attending The Vanity Fair Post Oscar Party in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Giulio Marcocchi.
2007, November 30th - Francesca Gregorini helps film crew and cast coordinate a setup for a shoot in the chapel of the First Universalist Church in Harrisville. "Tanner Tall" is an independent film co-written and co-directed with Francesca Gregorini and Tatiana von Furstenberg. Picture by Sandor Bodo.
2008, February 10th - Francesca Gregorini, step-dad Ringo Starr and his wife Barbara Bach at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards arrivals, the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. Picture by Patrick Rideaux.
2008, May 29th - Writer/director Francesca Gregorini arrives at the opening of the Chanel boutique on Robertson Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California. Also attended her best friend Tatiana Von Furstenberg, actress Erica Nicotra, Kathleen Checki of Simply Consistent Inc. and businessman Oleg Bouimer. Photo by Frazer Harrison.
2009 - Francesca and best friend Tatiana Von Furstenberg are the directors of the upcoming film "Tanner Hall".
2009, September 14th - Co-writers/directors Francesca Gregorini and best friend Tatiana von Furstenberg arrive at the 'Tanner Hall' screening during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival held at Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto, Canada.
Also attended their mothers actress Barbara Bach and fashion desigher Diane Von Furstenberg, Tatiana's husband russell Steinberg, Francesca's brother Gianni, their auntie Marjorie Bach, Olivia harrison, friend Carolina Herrera Jr., and the cast of the film: actor Ryan Schira, actress Amy Ferguson, actress Rooney Mara, actress Georgia King, actress Amy Sedaris, actor Tom Everett Scott and actor Chris Kattan.
Pictures by Malcom Taylor, Jeff Vespa and Arthur Mola.
2009, September 15th - Actress Rooney Mara, writer/director Francesca Gregorini and actress Amy Ferguson arrive at the InStyle and HFPA Toronto Film Festival Party held at the Courtyard Cafe in Toronto, Canada. Picture by Alberto E. Rodríguez.
2009, September 15th - Directors Tatiana von Furstenberg (L) and Francesca Gregorini pose for a portrait during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival held at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto, Canada. Portrayed by Jeff Vespa and Matt Carr.
* Very special thanks to Carlos from www.barbara-bach.com and to Luke from www.loveportia.org for letting me use some of their pictures. Many thanks as well to Jeannette from the Beatleschildren site and Carmela from the Francesca Gregorini Fanpage for some of the info and some of the pics.*
2009, October 9th - Director Francesca Gregorini, actress Rooney Mara, director Tatiana von Furstenberg and casting director Lina Todd arrive at the Breakthrough Performers reception as part of the 17th annual Hamptons International Film Festival at the Georgica Restaurant & Lounge in East Hampton, New York. Photo by Matthew Peyton.
