Anyone who knows me personally will tell you that I can sit back and easily become engulfed in classic James Bond (preferably Sean Connery and Roger Moore)films all day long. “Dr. No”, “From Russia with Love”, “The Spy Who Loved Me”, “Octopussy”. Hands down 007 is my favorite fictional character with the ability to simultaneously fire his Walther PP handgun, order a vodka martini(shaken not stirred), win a hand at Baccarat, and turn his lady killer into his lover all while introducing himself as Bond, James Bond. The question is, was he fictional?
If you know the least bit about British government or watch just a tad bit of BBC news, you’ll know that Secret Intel Service MI6(who 007 worked for) really does exist as well as the Russian counter intelligence agency SMERSH who always saught to kill 007. Ian Flemming, creator of the spy character James Bond 007 based his great stories from these true to life organizations. What about James Bond himself? Well we can’t say for sure if Bond himself is real but can talk about a man by the name Rubirosa, Porfirio Rubirosa.
Rubirosa’s story, word for word will indeed remind you of James Bond. Many sources say that some of Flemming’s inspriations for the Bond character actually came from the life of Mr. Rubirosa who is dubbed the Last International Playboy (Jan 22, 1909-July 5, 1965).
Porfirio Rubirosa- Love of Fast Cars
Born in the Dominican Republic, son of a general, Rubirosa automatically had political ties which would shape his future and his legendary story. At the age of 6 his family moved to Paris, France due to his father Don Pedro taking a new role as Diplomat and Chief of the Dominican Embassy. Although returning to the Dominican Republic at the age 17 to study law, Europe would now be Rubirosa’s infinite pool of pleasure, a continent for a grown man’s playground. Deciding to change direction in life, he entered the military and found himself in the same social setting as President and strongman Rafael Leonidas Trujillo (AKA El Jefe) of Dominican Republic. Within 24hrs of meeting President Trujillo, Rubirosa became lieutenant of Presidential Guard. Some say this role also beared the title “Political Assasin“. Not long after, Trujillo also becomes Rubirosa’s 1st father in law. The charm begins.
Rubirosa’s marriage with his 1st wife Flor de Oro Trujillo and daughter of President Trujillo didn’t last but many more women came into his life, 4 more of whom he would wed and others who were, hmmm lets say, part of his assignment! Wealth, land, car collections, private planes, sartorial ammunition, horses and incredible adventures spawned from his relationships which included French actress Danielle Darriuex, American heiress Doris Duke and Zsa Zsa Gabor just to name a few. When in the states, Rubirosa could be found dining with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Marylin Monroe or sipping the finest wines on the Kennedy’s Yacht. His passion emerged for the sport of Polo which would fuel him to purchase a polo team “Cibao-La Pampa“. Owning numerous sports cars which he would then enter and participate in several pro races including the 24 Hour of Le Mans and Formula1. The man of ultimate pleasure and elegance was born. The charmer, lover, gentleman, alleged assassin, adventurer, the renaissance man.
Rubirosa- Love of HorsesRubirosa- Polo Grounds
Tragically, life ended for Porfirio Rubirosa, probably the way he would have wanted it to end, feeling free, the epicurean way. Music, dancing, women, champagne, food, and laughter, while celebrating his polo victory in 1965, winning the Coupe de France. Getting into his Ferrari 250 GT the morning after ending his festive occasion at the Paris nightclub “Jimmys”, Rubirosa found himself crashing into a tree and died immediately. 56 years of age. The Last Playboy…Never to be replicated. Was Porfirio Rubirosa the real James Bond? Fiction is never too far off from the truth.
Books on Porfirio Rubirosa– “The Last Playboy : the High Life of Porfirio Rubirosa” and “Chasing Rubi: The Truth about Porfirio Rubirosa the Last Playboy”.