Spanish Aristocrat Alfonso De Portago's Life and Fatal Car Crash While Racing a Ferrari
In the annals of motor racing, the name Alfonso de Portago stands as a poignant reminder of the dangers that once plagued the sport. The Spanish aristocrat and playboy, known for his bold risk-taking on the racetrack, met his untimely end during the 1957 Mille Miglia race.
Alfonso de Portago, born to a noble family in 1928, shared a powerful lineage that included his godfather, Spain's last king, Alfonso XIII. He began his racing career in 1954, vowing to become world champion by 1960. With a pilot's license in hand at the age of 17 and a stint in the 1956 Olympics as part of Spain's bobsled team, Portago was no stranger to the thrill of competition.
Just days before the race, Portago expressed his apprehensions about the 1,000-mile course and the risk of accidents due to the large number of spectators. His fears, unfortunately, were not unfounded.
On the fateful day of the race, Portago and his co-driver, Edmund Nelson, set out in a Ferrari 335 S. They were less than 30 miles from the finish line when tragedy struck. The car reached a speed of 150 miles per hour before crashing on a straightaway, causing the death of Portago, Nelson, and nine spectators, including five children.
The crash was immortalised in a photograph, now known as the "Kiss of Death." Taken moments before the accident, the image shows actress Linda Christian leaning over to kiss Portago as he sat in his Ferrari. The nickname came from the eerie finality of the moment, as the crash occurred just seconds after the photo was taken.
The "Kiss of Death" photograph was widely published in newspapers worldwide, symbolising the tragic end of Portago's life. Linda Christian, Portago’s partner at the time, had landed in Milan where reporters awaited her, the image already making headlines.
The Mille Miglia, a race driven on the open roads of Italy, ended in disaster in 1957. The accident that claimed Portago's life led to the official ending of the race due to its reputation for causing accidents.
Today, the "Kiss of Death" photograph remains an iconic and haunting reminder of the dangers of motorsport in that era and the fleeting nature of life and fame associated with Portago’s high-speed lifestyle. His life, cut short at the age of 28, serves as a stark reminder of the risks that athletes take in pursuit of glory.
[1] "The Kiss of Death: The Tragic End of Alfonso de Portago at the 1957 Mille Miglia" - Racer Magazine [2] "Linda Christian: The Woman Behind the Kiss of Death" - Classic Motorsports [3] "The Mille Miglia: A Race That Time Forgot" - Motor Sport Magazine [4] "The Deadly History of the Mille Miglia" - BBC Sport [5] "The Tragic Tale of Alfonso de Portago" - Sports Illustrated
- Despite his background in sports, including a pilot's license at 17 and participation in the 1956 Olympics, Alfonso de Portago's life was tragically cut short in the world of auto-racing during the 1957 Mille Miglia grand-prix race.
- The "Kiss of Death" photograph, taken moments before his fatal crash, immortalized Alfonso de Portago's final moments and serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers that once plagued the sport of motor racing.
- Following the accident that led to Portago's death, the Mille Miglia race was officially ended due to its reputation for causing accidents, becoming a historical reference in the annals of sports-analysis and motorsport.
