Princess Melikoff was born Pauline Curran on 9 February 1893 in Hobart. She was the youngest of ten children born to middle-class merchant parents who were beneficiaries of George Adams’ fortune.*

Pauline was educated at St Michael’s Collegiate School. She lived with her parents at Eaglehawk Neck during World War One.

Princess Melikoff

In 1918, Pauline was betrothed to Captain Patrick Fitzgerald, the aide de camp to the Governor of Tasmania at the time. Fitzgerald eventually left Tasmania and did not honour the betrothal.

During a tour of England in the mid-1920s, Pauline met Prince Maximilian Melikoff.

Maximilian was born in Russia in 1884. He was the second son of Prince Peter Melikoff de Somhetie and his wife. Despite being a prince, Maximilian was not heir to a throne, did not have a principality, nor was he wealthy.

He served with distinction in the military before working in Europe for three years. It was during this three-year period when he met Pauline.

The pair fell in love straight away, and were engaged three months later. They were married in Hobart on 20 January 1926 and moved to Cannes shortly after. They frequently visited Australia and London.

Little is known about Pauline’s life during World War Two. She and her prince spent a lot of time in London, where they had an apartment in Mayfair until his death in 1950.

After his passing, she made numerous trips back to Tasmania, which always held a place in her heart.

Princess Melikoff Trust

Pauline had two wills when she passed away on 30 January 1988. One was in Britain, and the other was in Australia. The Australian one established the Princess Melikoff Trust Fund, which was estimated to be worth $15 million in 2008.

On 10 December 2020, TPT Wealth announced that two major grants will support local marine conservation and the refurbishment of St Ann’s Nursing Home.

Both grants consist of more than $300,000 each. They come from the Princess Melikoff Trust, which TPT Wealth administers.

* George Adams was the founder of the Tattersall’s lottery.

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