Madame Wellington Koo (née Hui-lan Oei)

(1899-1992), Former wife of Count Hoey Stoker, and later wife of Vi Kyuin Wellington Koo; daughter of Oei Tiong Ham (Oei Tyong Han) Born 'Hui-Lan' meaning 'meteor heavenly orchid' in recognition of the sighting of one at the time of her birth. Her marriage to Chinese diplomat and politician Vi Kyuin Wellington Koo, was announced in November 1920 whilst he was Chinese Minister to the United States. In early 1921, Vi Kyuin Wellington Koo was appointed the Chinese Minister to Great Britain and they lived in London until June 1946, though they divorced shortly after the Second World War. Vogue saluted Madame Koo as a 'citizen of the world' for her enlightened approach to promoting goodwill between East and West. In addition to posing for photographer Hoppé, Madame Wellington Koo was also painted by Slade graduate, Leon Underwood. She wrote two memoirs, Hui-Lan Koo (Mrs. Wellington Koo): An Autobiography (1945) and No Feast Lasts Forever (1975)


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