Singer, who married world speed record-breaker Campbell, dies aged 93

THE widow of world powerboat record holder Donald Campbell has passed away in her 90s.

Tonia Bern-campbell was a member of the team that supported Mr Campbell as he smashed multiple world speed records in the 1950s and 1960s. Mr Campbell died during a record attempt in a hydroplane on Coniston Water in the Lake District in 1967, after which Ms Bern-campbell returned to her singing career.

She died peacefully at her home in Palm Springs, California, on June 14. Her exact date of birth is unknown – it was recorded incorrectly on her passport – but it is believed she was 93 years old at the time of her death. Her father was hotelier Antoine Beun, owner of the Carlton in Belgium. During her teenage years, French singer and entertainer Maurice Chevalier encouraged her to enter a talent contest, which she won.

One of the judges of this contest was Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, who went on to coach her in singing. Ms Bern-campbell would make a guest appearance on The Jack Benny Program and star in a film alongside Mr Chevalier.

She won the Passerella d’oro award for best musical performance for a stage production in Italy and performed throughout the world. She had also spent three years studying acting at the Conservatoire Royale in Brussels as a youth, and went on to perform in venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and The Savoy Hotel in London.

It was while performing at the Savoy in December 1958 that she met Mr Campbell. They married a few days later at Caxton Hall, London. She put a temporary hold on her singing career and accompanied Mr Campbell on many of his record attempts.

She married English comedian and actor Bill Maynard in 1989. The pair divorced in 1998. It was her wish to have her ashes scattered on Coniston Water so that she could be reunited with Mr Campbell, who is buried beside the lake.