Elita traces the life journey of Elizabeth “Elita” Lanaras and her quest for love. Along the way, she experiences some of the most dramatic events in South Africa's transition to democracy, and finally marries the Nobel Peace Prize-winning president who set Mandela free.The archetypal poor little rich girl, Elita was born to millionaire shipping magnates, but left to her own devices and a Swiss nanny before being sent off to a school she hated. Her mother, Nitza, insisted that she spoke French and took an interest only when she could take Elita shopping for designer dresses in Paris, while her father was mostly away concluding deals and recovering the family fortune.At 18 Elita married the debonair, Greek-born but British-educated Tony Georgiadis. The scion of another millionaire family, this son of the formidable Lady Clio was the future owner of Stud House, a stately mansion with six acres of land just outside London. Here Elita and Tony lived the high life, entertaining international businessmen, politicians and celebrities. Yet Elita felt a deep yearning…This book traces her search for meaning and love, her meeting with the then South African president, and the difficult path they had to walk – in the international limelight – to be together. Filled with drama and pathos, it is ultimately a story of hope and happy endings.
