CHRISTINA O, THE LEGENDARY SUPERYACHT THAT HOLDS SECRETS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS, GOES UP FOR SALE FOR €25MILLION THROUGH SPECIALISTS EDMISTON

Guests included JFK, Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe

Princess Grace and Prince Rainier held their wedding reception onboard

Christina O, the iconic superyacht where John F Kennedy first met Winston Churchill, has been put up for sale for €25million via Edmiston, one of the leading specialists in the yacht sector.

Christina O has been privy to many a secret conversation onboard since it was bought by businessman Aristotle Onassis in 1954 for just $34,000. Originally built in 1943, he had the yacht gutted and converted into one of the most luxurious private yachts of its time, spending the equivalent of $45million installing some of the most opulent fittings available.

During the late 1950’s, Christina O became associated with the most lavish parties ever held on water. Celebrities staying on the yacht included Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, John Wayne, Eva Peron, John Paul Getty, the Aga Khan and John F Kennedy who first met the former British Prime Minister onboard.

In 1956, Christina O played host to the wedding reception of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco.

One of the most passionate and ill-fated romances played out on board, that of Aristotle to opera diva Maria Callas. They cruised to exotic locations around Europe in the presence of Greta Garbo, Bette Davis and Margot Fonteyne among many others.

In 1968, the Maria Callas era abruptly ended when Aristotle Onassis courted the former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy. The two married onboard Christina O near Aristotle’s private island of Scorpios.

In 1975, Aristotle Onassis died and the yacht was gifted to his daughter in his will. Christina in turn bestowed it to the Greek government as a Presidential yacht.

More than 20 years later, Christina O was substantially renovated and was finally restored to its former glory in 2001.

Nicholas Edmiston, the Chairman of Edmiston, commented: “Aristotle Onassis saw Christina O as a powerful symbol of his growing business empire. It really was the last word in opulence and many personalities were attracted by its ability to offer them some privacy, not just by its magnificence.”

Christina O is 325 feet long, has a range of 2,700 nautical miles with a maximum speed of 19 knots. It has 35 international crew.

She can accommodate 36 guests in 18 staterooms and the Onassis Suite. Onboard facilities include a library, sports lounge, children’s playroom, fitness centre, beauty salon and massage room and jacuzzi. Two x12 passenger mahogany tenders, a ski boat, jetskis and windsurf equipment accompany Christina O.

Features onboard include:

The Onassis Suite – spacious and magnificently decorated, with its original fireplace, a Renoir and the original Baccarat crystal light fittings.

The Atrium – complete with original onyx pillars, bronze handrails and floor mosaic. The spiral staircase services three decks.

Ari’s Bar – the famous stools are still there, as are the bar handles made of whale fangs and engraved with scenes from Odyssey. The entire bar is original

Lapis Lounge – featuring a fireplace completely trimmed in lapis lazuli stone.

Dining Room – the art deco ceiling remains intact. Guests used to listen to Frank Sinatra and Maria Callas playing at the piano. Still remaining in the dining room are Maria Callas’ only gold record, the authentic Steinway piano, the original Baccarat crystal wall lights and a gallery of photos depicting life onboard during the Onassis years.

Swimming Pool – the pool raises up to become a dancefloor. Onassis also used the pool to store live lobsters for his guests to eat at dinner. The bronze-bordered pool has its original Minoan mosaic floor, painstakingly restored to its original glamour.