The idyllic Greek island where Jackie Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis has reportedly been sold by his sole surviving heir for £100million.According to Greek media, Aristotle's granddaughter Athina Onassis Roussel agreed to sell the island of Skorpios, in the Ionian Sea, to a Russian billionaire. The jewel in the Ionian Sea off the western coast of Greece was bought by the Greek shipping mogul in 1962, when it was said to have cost just 3.5million drachmas, the equivalent of about £10,000.
In 1968 the paradise island played host to quite the wedding party when Aristotle married Jackie Kennedy – the widow of the late President John F Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.In an intimate Greek Orthodox ceremony – which was the second marriage for both bride and groom – Jackie wore a lace-covered beige bridal gown by Italian couturier Valentino. Among the guests were the bride's mother and her husband, two of President Kennedy's sisters and Jackie's children. As a result of the marriage, the much loved former First Lady was given a new name in the media – one by which she arguably became best known – Jackie O. Following the nuptials, the newlyweds made their way to Aristotle's famous yacht, named Cristina, where they celebrated with their friends and family.
As Mrs Onassis, Jacqueline divided her time between the Skorpios Island and her husband's home in Paris with her children. The forested island, heavily wooded with trees that Aristotle had planted, is largely untouched, apart from luxury details such as tennis courts, lush gardens, the Pink House villa originally built for Jackie O, a helicopter landing pad and a boat quay. The late tycoon also shipped in sand from a nearby island to create an artificial beach. Jackie also had a small and beautiful Cyclades-style cottage built in a quiet cove on the private island to embrace the breathtaking views and tranquility.
Their marriage lasted six years until Aristotle died aged 69, when Jackie returned to New York and Skorpios passed to the Greek shipping tycoon's daughter Christina, who died of a heart attack aged 37 in 1988, and then to her daughter Athina.
Aristotles was buried on the paradise island. His daughter and his son, Alexander, who sadly died in a plane crash in 1973, are also buried there. According to Greek press contracts for the purchase of the private island are being drawn up by law firms in Athens and Geneva.
Giorgio Armani, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, and Madonna have all reportedly been interested in buying the tiny island.