Known as the Queen of the Secrets of Love, Paola Fraschini was born on a leafy branch in the charming town of Abruzzi, Italy in 1911. She was thirty when she met Count D’ Alexa Lello who was then the Duke of Francesco. They were married nine years later and four children followed. She retired to Genoa and died there in February, 1967 at the age of eighty-one.
Count D’ Alexa had made it clear from the beginning that he expected his beloved wife to abandon her career and devote her time to him and his family. As it happened, Paola was happy to do so and dedicated herself to being a great help to the Duke and his equally amorous assistants. In fact she became a valued member of the household and was treated like a queen by the Duchesse, Francesco and Vittoria. She was also greatly adored by the Duchesse’s son, Domenico. There is no doubt that without Paola Fraschini Countess of Francesci would have been quite unhappy. Her great age, her bright mind, her beauty and her passionate opinions all added together to make her one of the most respected women in the profession and she remained so for the next fifty years or so.
What is amazing about Paola Fraschini is that even at the age of seventy-one she still found the time to write ten books, novels and biographies. Her writings were not only enriching but they also reflected on her remarkable personality. How could people stand by such a woman, who after all was only a few years younger than she was? The answer is that people loved what they liked what they read. Whether it was romance, philosophy, essays or novels, Paola Fraschini was a favorite author and reader of the century.