Athina Onassis: The 'Old Money' Heiress Who Can't Escape Drama

For Athina Onassis, a descendant of the storied Onassis and Niarchos Greek shipping dynasties, the "old money" fantasy is far from reality.

Born into wealth that most can only dream of, Athina's life was quickly overshadowed by familial discord and tragedy.

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:34 Chapter 1: The Amazing Wealth of Athina
4:41 Chapter 2: Born Into Battles
7:35 Chapter 3: The Tragic Life of Christina Onassis
12:21 Chapter 4: A Life As Athina Onassis

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When you envision becoming the heiress to a monumental "old money" fortune spanning two European dynasties, you might picture a life of luxury with grand galas, exclusive parties, and afternoons on sun-drenched yachts.

This world, touched by the Mediterranean breeze and lined with haute couture, seems to promise only pleasure and privilege.

Yet, Athina Onassis, a descendant of the Onassis and Niarchos Greek shipping dynasties, found this fantasy starkly different from her reality.

Born into extraordinary wealth, Athina's life quickly became overshadowed by family discord and tragedy.

Her mother, Christina, endured emotional turmoil and passed away untimely, leaving Athina with a legacy more sorrowful than splendid.

Inheritance disputes soon arose, entangling Athina’s billion-dollar inheritance in legal battles and public scrutiny.

Furthermore, her marriage, which should have been a continuation of her storied lineage, fell apart due to betrayal and infidelity.

In this episode, we unravel the secrets of this iconic "old money" heiress, from her lavish 18th birthday celebration reportedly worth a billion U.S. dollars to the enigmatic troubles of one of the twenty-first century's most private heiresses.

Athina Onassis, a scion of the legendary Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos, represents the convergence of two of Greece's grandest shipping empires.

Her inheritance from the Onassis and Niarchos families would comfortably fund a small country, owning lavish properties including Greek islands.

Aristotle Onassis, her grandfather, amassed considerable wealth and fame, even marrying Jacqueline Kennedy.

Upon his death in 1975, he left behind a fortune worth about 2.3 billion dollars today.

Christina Onassis, Athina's mother, inherited this fortune but met an early demise in 1988, leaving the young Athina as the heiress.

Athina's maternal lineage also connects her to Stavros Niarchos, a rival shipping magnate whose fortune contributed to the family's real estate empire, including mansions in Paris and Ibiza.

In 2013, Athina sold the idyllic Greek island of Skorpios to a Russian billionaire for 150 million dollars.

Despite this gold-plated heritage, Athina has maintained a low profile, shying away from public attention.

Yet, her life has been marred by drama and tragedy, which we will explore further.

Athina's upbringing was shadowed by her parents' tumultuous marriage, her mother's death, and her father's strained management of her inheritance.

Born in Paris in 1985, Athina’s early years were marked by the sudden death of her mother. Raised by her father, Thierry Roussel, and his new wife, Gaby Landhage, Athina lived a curious life of wealth while striving for normalcy.

Her education in Brussels and passion for equestrian sports offered an escape from her inheritance's pressures.

Despite her mother’s distrust of Roussel and the board's strict control over her fortune, Athina inherited her portion of Christina's estate on her 18th birthday, worth between 700 million and 1 billion dollars.

Athina's personal life mirrored her family's drama. She married Brazilian showjumper Álvaro de Miranda Neto in 2005, but the marriage ended in a contentious divorce in 2017.

Despite these personal and legal challenges, Athina remained dedicated to equestrian sports, competing internationally and establishing the Athina Onassis International Horse Show.

Her story, marked by both tragedy and triumph, illustrates the complex legacy of the Onassis family and its impact on her life.

[oldmoneyluxury]

COMMENT: What is your opinion of the life of Athina Onassis - and the women of the Onassis family in general?

[HappyHappy-lnlr]

I wish for Athina Onassis is to have all of the happiness in life! May she be surrounded by trustworthy people always.

[lorettashum]

A woman with steadfast courage amid all the drama. My respect for her.

[cynthiamontoya]

I remember all the media hype of the Onassis family in the 1970's. I always felt sorry for little Athina. I am very happy she has found a purpose in her life which makes her happy. Peace to her always...

[bpjfocusonparis]

She seems like a lovely lovely young woman and I wish her all of life's beauty, and love. She deserves all happiness.

[marilynwade]

Athina is amazing. Her mom would have been so proud of her

[RJ-iyes]

I wish nothing but the best for Athina. May she have enough love, time, laughter, and great health.

[nadia-ilh]

Life is a school for all humans, no matter creed colour or class

[jennybertenshaw]

This is a woman who has had to battle her way through the greed and intrusions of those who feel they deserve a piece of her wealth A friend of mine met her in a simple cafe in Belgium when she was visiting the wealthy equestrian Jan Tops . She said she was a lovely natural woman who loved horses May she have the peace and love she deserves

[anastasiasofro]

My dad worked for Aristotle Onassis on his ships, my dad was an electronics technician, and as a kid, i remember the stories that my dad told us.Seeing this documentary made me a bit emotional, as my dad has since passed away.
I wish Athina all the best and she should be proud of her Greek heritage.

[liveandletlive-qx]

Money helps a lot when you dont have it. Saying that. I wish this lady much happiness and just enjoy the beauty in life. Have inner peace above all things.

[minxella]

I am amazed that despite all the heartache she seems a lot more stable and together than her mother was.

[twilightpurpleglow]

I am old enough to know the story of the Onassis and birth of Athina. I often wonder what became of her after she was betrayed by the man she love (I am sure Doda knew exactly who she was and demanded and got millions after their divorce) Thierry just used Christina and she was right in creating a team to manage Athina's wealth until she became of age. She deserves true love and happiness, wherever she may be I hope Athina is happy. With all my heart, I wish her well and a beautiful blessed life. ❤

[ladyj]

I admire her horsemanship, accomplishments and love of horses. I wish her the very best in love and life.

[reneehey]

Glad she found horses for her happiness. They won’t betray her.

[DKisOk]

Her mother was so in love with her father, but her father was just a gold digger... When she had Athena she loved that little girl with ALL her heart ❤️... The problem was she did not love herself, her husband destroyed all her self esteem. 😢

[MinooFattahi]

I have profound respect for Athina. I wish her much happiness and love.

[edithaquino-jspf]

Athena if you are watching this YouTube video….I wish you the best😍…move on….live your life….be happy…keep a simple fulfilled life. Ignore what ever others say or make it out…go ahead live life your own🤩🤩🤩🤩

[terrylovesenegal]

After Christina died, I actually worked for Thierry Roussel, first in Geneva as 1989, then the office moved to Gingins in one of the beautiful mansions where Anthina grew up as a baby. My main duties together with an amazing Turkish Finance manager, were to help trace the whole inventory of Onassis properties, fleets of vehicles, and assets all over the world, mainly in NYK, Monaco, Switzerland and Greece. I was also responsible to manage house staff and the schedules of the body guards from the UK. At that time Athina was a withdrawn little girl of 4 year, surrounded by 6 body guards 24h/24h. Thierry and Gaby Roussel lived a lavish life thanks to the monthly incomes generated by the Onassis under constant scrutiny of Athina's Board of Trustees that Christina had thankfully put in place. Summers Thierry rented large yachts mostly around Ibiza where very young models around the age of 16 or younger would be feasted upon by himself and his perv sycophants friends, similar style of those of Epstein. During my two years working for him I was constantly faced with young women passing by to the office, it was disturbing and distressing, even if he was 'good' to me, the treated his employees as his property and all in all he was a gigolo, a failed 'business man' addicted to sex. Finally my heart always went to Athina and her immense wealth that could only bring more drama. I think she has done pretty well for herself and wish her all the happiness in the world. After Christina died, I actually worked for Thierry Roussel, first in Geneva as 1998, then the office moved to Gingins in one of the beautiful mansions where Anthina grew up as a baby. My main duties together with an amazing Turkish Finance manager, were to help trace the whole inventory of Onassis properties, fleets of vehicles, and assets all over the world, mainly in NYK, Monaco, Switzerland and Greece. I was also responsible to manage house staff and the schedules of the body guards from the UK. At that time Athina was a withdrawn little girl of 4 year, surrounded by 6 body guards 24h/24h. Thierry and Gaby Roussel lived a lavish life thanks to the monthly incomes generated by the Onassis under constant scrutiny of Athina's Board of Trustees that Christina had thankfully put in place. Summers Thierry rented large yachts mostly in and around Ibiza where very young models around the age of 16 or younger would be feasted upon by himself and his perv sycophants friends, similar style of those of Epstein. During my two years working for him I was constantly faced with young women passing by to the office, it was disturbing and distressing, even if he was 'good' to me, the treated his employees as his property and all in all he was a gigolo, a failed 'business man' addicted to sex. Finally my heart always went to Athina and her immense wealth that could only bring more drama. I think she has done pretty well for herself and wish her all the happiness in the world.

[lulugoulart]

After losses and betrayals, it all just made her much stronger and wiser! Good luck Athina!