Carstairs in January 1941 riding her motorcycle on her private island - gettyimages - David E. Scherman
Though she was born into long-established London wealth in 1900 as an heir of Standard Oil, she refused to fall into the rigid expectations for an old-money heiress; she created a life of lavish ridiculousness for herself. Forging her own path of counterculture, she left her unsupportive, alcoholic and drug addict mother for Paris at the age of 17 to truly seek the excessive and debaucherous life she desired. It was here she discovered her sexuality, having fleeting affairs with Tallulah Bankhead, Mabel Mercer and a more intense and long-lasting affair with Marlene Dietrich.
Her mother, detesting her sexuality and lifestyle, threatened to reverse her inheritance if she didn't submit to conformity and wed a man. Knowing full and well how much she needed that money to continue on her rebellious and excessive path, she wed a childhood best friend - and they amicably parted ways immediately after the wedding (the marriage was annulled after the death of Carstair's mother and she officially returned to her maiden name).
Now with her finances secure and no one holding her back, Carstairs could get back to living true to her standards. She smoked fancy cigars, had tattooed arms, craved and chased adrenaline highs, wore expertly tailored designer men's suits, and adored being mistook for a man. She began pursuing an extravagant hobby of power boat racing, spending nearly one million dollars on the hobby between 1925-1930. The pastime was not without success, however, and she won the Duke of York's trophy and is still recognized as 'the fastest woman on water'.
When faced with tax complications in both the U.S. and Britain in 1933, Carstairs investigated ways of staying true to her pursuit of a wild and unique way of life. She purchased the island of Whale Cay in the West Indies for a mere $40,000 to start building a make-shift fiefdom, where she would without a doubt be 'The Queen'.
"With a team of 273 Bahamians, Joe Carstairs developed the island into an extensive complex which included many buildings, some which still exist today, such as:
The Great House - complete with tennis facility, swimming pool and museum.
Historic Village - which began with only a store, but later grew to accommodate over 500 complete with residences, school and a radio station.
Church - She instructed for a church to be erected, installed a minister therein and mandated that all those living together be married immediately.
Doll House - A seaside cottage constructed for actress Marlene Dietrich, a frequent celebrity guest to the island." - Great Whale Cay Bahamas History
Carstairs in May 1964 in her personal museum on her private island - gettyimages - Slim Aarons
