Monica von Neumann

{{Infobox noble

| name = Monica von Neumann

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Monica Ann Ford

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1964|06|15|df=y}}

| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, United States

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|03|05|1964|06|15}}

| death_place = Los Angeles, California, United States

| burial_place = Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery

| noble family = von Neumann

| spouse = John Neumann Ritter von Héthárs (1985-2003; his death)

| issue = Dorian Neumann von Héthárs

| father =

| mother =

| fields =

| known_for =

| occupation = businesswoman, socialite, dancer, model

}}

Monica Ann Neumann von Héthárs, also known as Baroness Monica von Neumann,Monica von Neumann is often incorrectly referred to in the press as a baroness. While she was a member of the Austrian nobility through her marriage, her husband held the rank of Ritter (similar to a baronet or hereditary knight) and not the rank of Freiherr (baron). (née Ford; June 15, 1964 – March 5, 2019), was an American socialite and businesswoman. She worked as a fashion model and dancer before marrying John Neumann Ritter von Héthárs in 1985.

Early life

Monica von Neumann was born into an African-American working-class family in Detroit, Michigan. As a child, she moved with her mother to Los Angeles. She studied dance at the Roland Dupree Dance Academy.{{cite web| url = https://www.upscalelivingmag.com/baroness-monica-von-neumann/| title = Holding Court with Baroness Monica von Neumann| website = Upscale Living Magazine| access-date = February 4, 2019}} She attended Fairfax High School in Fairfax District, Los Angeles.

Career and philanthropy

Von Neumann danced professionally before getting married, going on tour with Nina Simone and Devo. She also worked as a model for Yves Saint Laurent and Dior, walking in runway shows and standing in for fittings at ateliers in Paris.{{cite web| url = https://www.blackfemaleinterracialmarriage.com/?p=84| title = Spotlight on Baroness Von Neumann–The Life of Another Black Woman who Married European Royalty & More Okey-Dokes| date = August 11, 2013| website = Black Female Interracial Marriage| access-date = February 4, 2019}}{{cite web| url = http://solarey.net/ex-model-dancer-baroness-monica-von-neumann/| title = Ex-Model & Dancer: Baroness Monica Von Neumann| date = November 2, 2017| website = Sola Rey| access-date = February 4, 2019}}

In 2010, she launched the luxury home-goods retailer Baroness von Neumann Candles, which sold high-end scented candles.{{cite web| url = https://shopwithmemama.com/2011/02/baroness-monica-von-neumann%E2%80%99s-signature-line-of-scented-candles-reviewgiveaway/| title = BARONESS MONICA VON NEUMANN'S SIGNATURE LINE OF SCENTED CANDLES| last = Delatorre| first = Kim| date = February 3, 2011| website = Shop With Me Mamma| access-date = February 9, 2019}}{{cite web| url = http://www.thelifeofluxury.com/candles-by-baroness-monica-von-neumann/| title = Candles by Baroness Monica von Neumann| date = October 19, 2010| website = The Life of Luxury| access-date = February 4, 2019}}{{cite web| url = https://madamenoire.com/216146/from-detroit-to-austria-baroness-monica-von-neumann-puts-a-regal-spin-on-the-candle-business/| title = From Detroit to Austria: Baroness Monica von Neumann Puts a Regal Spin on the Candle Business| last = Brown| first = Ann| date = September 19, 2012| website = MADAMENOIRE| access-date = February 4, 2019}}{{cite web| url = https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/03/baroness-monica-von-neumann-real-housewives-beverly-hills/| title = A Real 'Royal' Housewife? Hollywood's Baroness Monica Von Neumann In Talks To Join RHOBH| last = Woulfe| first = Niel| date = March 28, 2013| website = Radar Online| access-date = February 4, 2019}} The candle logo was the Von Neumann family crest. In December 2010, she was a guest on BET's The Mo'Nique Show.

In 2013, she was considered for a spot as a cast member of the American reality television series Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.{{cite web| url = http://realitywives.net/blogs/baroness-monica-von-neumann-in-talks-to-join-rhobh/| title = Baroness Monica Von Neumann In Talks To Join RHOBH| date = March 28, 2013| website = Reality Wives| access-date = February 4, 2019}}{{cite web| url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/baroness-monica-von-neumann-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills_n_2974116.html| title = Baroness Monica Von Neumann On 'Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills'?| date = March 28, 2013| website = HuffPost| publisher = Verizon Media| access-date = February 4, 2019}}{{cite web| url = https://www.eonline.com/news/402609/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-in-talks-with-baroness-monica-van-neumann-to-join-cast| title = Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in Talks With Baroness Monica Van Neumann to Join Cast| last = Malec| first = Brett| date = March 28, 2013| website = E!| publisher = NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group| access-date = February 4, 2019}} She reportedly met with producers but ended up not joining the cast.{{cite web| url = https://www.inquisitr.com/593366/baroness-monica-von-neumann-may-join-rhobh-rumor/| title = Baroness Monica Von Neumann May Join 'RHOBH' [Rumor]| last = Dodrill| first = Tara| date = March 28, 2013| website = Inquisitr| access-date = February 4, 2019}}{{cite web| url = https://jezebel.com/black-baroness-may-join-whitewashed-real-housewives-of-5992995| title = Black Baroness May Join Whitewashed Real Housewives of Beverly Hills| last = Breslaw| first = Anna| date = March 30, 2013| website = Jezebel| publisher = Univision Communications| access-date = February 4, 2019}}

In February 2013, von Neumann, along with Daphne Guinness and Lynn Ban, donated a collection of her shoes to the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology's Shoe Obsession exhibit.{{cite web| url = https://gotham-magazine.com/museum-at-fashion-institute-of-technology-exhibits-150-designer-shoes-in-shoe-obsession| title = MFIT EXHIBITS 150 EXTREME DESIGNER SHOES| last = Rabinovitch| first = Simona| date = February 20, 2013| website = Gotham Magazine| publisher = Niche Media| access-date = February 9, 2019}} Von Neumann was featured in the documentary God Save My Shoes, which followed extreme shoe collectors.

She was a patron of Inner-City Arts and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She was also involved with Hollyrod Foundation, an organization that offers support to families with children that have autism. As a patron of the organizations March To The Top and AINA, von Neumann traveled to Kenya and assisted in establishing an orphanage.{{cite web| url = https://www.scribd.com/document/34836124/Interview-with-Baroness-Monica-Von-Neumann-2| title = Interview with Baroness Monica Von Neumann | website = A Distinctive Style| access-date = March 12, 2019}}

Personal life

When she was eighteen years old she was introduced to John Neumann Ritter von Héthárs, the son of Heinrich Neumann Ritter von Héthárs, by Sonny Bono at a dinner party in Palm Springs.{{cite web| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303404704577305721640539512| title = Small Luxuries Light Up Los Angeles| last = Heyman| first = Marshall| date = March 26, 2012| website = The Wall Street Journal| publisher = Dow Jones & Company| access-date = February 4, 2019}} She began a relationship with Ritter von Neumann, who was the first importer of Volkswagens to the United States. After they got engaged, she attended a finishing school in Switzerland.{{cite web| url = https://www.bet.com/video/themoniqueshow/guestrewind/baroness-monica-231317.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110426142206/http://www.bet.com/video/themoniqueshow/guestrewind/baroness-monica-231317.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = April 26, 2011| title = Baroness From Detroit| date = December 6, 2010| website = BET| publisher = Viacom| access-date = February 4, 2019}} She and Ritter von Neumann married in 1985. They had one daughter, Dorian.{{cite web| url = https://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/news-articles/a-list-interview-baroness-monica-von-neumann| title = Interview with Baroness Monica von Neumann| last = Gray| first = Christine| date = April 22, 2010| website = Luxury Travel Magazine| access-date = February 4, 2019}} Her husband's family, the von Neumanns, are a Hungarian Jewish family that was elevated into the nobility by the Austrian emperor. While a branch of her husband's family held the rank of Freiherr (baron), her husband did not. He held the hereditary title Ritter, which is the German equivalent to a baronet or hereditary knight. Her husband died from cancer in 2003.{{cite web|title=John Von Neumann passes away|url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2084636/john-von-neumann-passes-away/|work=Autoweek|date=January 6, 2004|access-date=August 5, 2021}}{{cite web| url = https://www.christianpost.com/trends/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-producers-want-lisa-rinna-monica-von-neumann.html| title = 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Producers Want Lisa Rinna, Monica Von Neumann?| last = Nsenduluka| first = Benge| website = The Christian Post| date = March 30, 2013| access-date = }}

Prior to his death, Von Neumann's husband allegedly had a son from an extramarital affair with Charlotte Vega. In 2010, she was involved in a legal battle against Charlotte's son, John Vega, regarding his paternity.{{cite web| url = https://www.leagle.com/decision/incaco20101104047| title = NEUMANN v. VEGA| date = November 4, 2010| website = Leagle| access-date = March 12, 2019}}

Death

Monica von Neumann died on March 5, 2019, due to health complications. She reportedly was in financial trouble at the time of her death. She is buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}