Marion Stein

Maria Donata Nanetta Paulina Gustava Erwina Wilhelmine Stein, known as Marion Stein, was born on 18 October 1926 in Vienna, Austria. She was born into a Jewish family; her mother was Sophie Bachmann and her father was Erwin Stein, a musician. Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, she emigrated to the United Kingdom.

Stein pursued formal music education at the Royal College of Music in London. During her studies and subsequent career, she developed a friendship with composer Benjamin Britten. She was a concert pianist and was actively involved in the musical scene in the United Kingdom.

In 1949, Stein married George Lascelles, the 7th Earl of Harewood, whom she met at the Aldeburgh Festival. Following her marriage, she became the Countess of Harewood. The couple resided at Harewood House, a Palladian estate located north of Leeds. She was involved in organizing cultural events at Harewood House, including social and musical functions. In March 1950, she initiated an opera-inspired fancy dress ball to benefit Britten's English Opera Group, which featured performances involving notable dancers such as Frederick Ashton and Moira Shearer. By September of the same year, she was reported to be pregnant and expressed her intention to attend all performances of the Leeds Triennial Musical Festival, which featured Britten.

Together, Stein and Lord Harewood had three sons: David Lascelles, born 21 October 1950; James Lascelles, born 5 October 1953; and Jeremy Lascelles, born 14 February 1955. Her marriage faced difficulties due to her husband's affair with violinist Patricia Tuckwell. The affair resulted in Lord Harewood fathering a son with Tuckwell. Although Stein initially rejected divorce, their marriage ended in divorce around 1967.

In 1961, Stein co-founded the Leeds International Piano Competition with Fanny Waterman, an initiative aimed at promoting young pianists. She also collaborated with Waterman on creating "Piano Lessons," a piano tutorial guide.

Her second marriage was to Jeremy Thorpe, a British politician who served as Leader of the Liberal Party from 1967 to 1976. The marriage took place on 14 March 1973, shortly after Thorpe's first wife, Caroline, was killed in a car accident in 1970. Thorpe's political career was later marred by scandal during the late 1970s; however, Stein supported him throughout this period. In the 1980s, Thorpe was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and Stein experienced mobility issues in later years.

Stein was recognized for her contributions to music with her appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours, specifically for her services to music and her role in the Leeds International Piano Competition.

She died on 6 March 2014 at the age of 87. Her husband, Jeremy Thorpe, died nine months later, on 4 December 2014.

Her life and career have been depicted in media, including the television miniseries "A Very English Scandal," in which she was portrayed by Monica Dolan.

External references include portraits of Marion Stein held at the National Portrait Gallery in London.