WHEN Gianni Versace was gunned down on his doorstep in 1997, the world's biggest celebrities gathered to mourn – including Princess Diana.
Front-row at his memorial, beside his sister Donatella, was sobbing Allegra Beck, the 11-year-old niece of the Italian fashion designer, who Versace called his "little princess".
Overnight young Allegra had suddenly become one of the richest and most powerful figures in the fashion industry, poised to inherit 50 per cent of his empire on her 18th birthday – worth a staggering $450million.
But the cursed fortune plunged her into a life of misery.
The schoolgirl, whose dad is American model Paul Beck, needed round-the-clock protection, and her fearful family hired the best female bodyguard in the business.
Highly trained former US Secret Service agent Mary Beth Janke had looked after President Bush's grandchildren and the former President of Colombia – then the kidnap capital of the world.
She was under strict instructions to ensure Allegra was not photographed, as it would make her more well-known and put her at a higher risk of danger.
Any news stories revealing her location would ramp up the kidnapping threat.
"The Versaces were worried that whoever killed Gianni was going to come back," says Mary Beth who recalls her extraordinary career in her new book The Protector.
"Instant media blitz, instant recognition – instant potential targets. Cue protection team.
"Even though Gianni was a targeted hit, they'd been too slack for too long with their security. They were nervous and I can understand why."
Shortly after Gianni was shot by drifter Andrew Cunanan, a Swiss judge issued an arrest warrant for seven Israeli security agents suspected of trying to kidnap 12-year-old Athina Onassis Roussel.
As sole heiress to the Onassis billions, Athina was then the richest child in the world.
Gianni's surviving brother Santo owned 30 per cent of the Versace empire, while Donatella had the remaining 20 per cent, meaning her daughter Allegra was considered a highly-prized asset, just like Athina.
Mary Beth added: "I'd told myself I'd never work the Hollywood crowd. Nor did I have any interest in being a glorified babysitter. My goal was to mitigate risk.
"Allegra was a sweet, intelligent child, that certainly made my work easier, but she travelled all over the city, day and night.
"Allegra had lunch with friends, went to dinner and the theatre with her father, browsed high-end stores with a personal shopper, and had play dates with other famous people's children.
"I met Sting because Allegra would go shopping with his seven year old daughter Coco.
"I have to admit, he was the highlight of the job for me."
Madonna row
But dealing with showbiz types did prove tricky at times.
Mary Beth recalls clashing with pop superstar Madonna on one occasion while trying to protect Allegra from prying eyes – and it almost cost her her job.
"One morning we went to visit Madonna and her new baby Lourdes," she explained.
"Madonna announced they were going to be walking to Rosie O'Donnell's place, several blocks away.
"I offered the car and driver we had waiting outside, but Madonna wanted to walk.
"From the minute Madonna and Allegra left the building, they were surrounded by paparazzi.
"Annoyed, I appealed to Madonna again. 'Why don't we take our car so we can avoid this? I don't want to put Allegra at risk.'
I tried three times to get Allegra and Madonna in the car, but she wouldn't listen – she was enjoying the attention
Mary Beth Janke
"Without even looking at me she blurted out, 'F*** em'.
"I hid my annoyance and just said, 'I'd like to get Allegra away from the cameras.'
"She looked at me like I was crazy, before marching on.
"I tried three times to get Allegra and Madonna in the car, but she wouldn't listen – she was enjoying the attention."
"I held the whopping bag of gifts Allegra was carrying for Rosie's kids, Chelsea and Parker, in front of Allegra in an attempt to shield her face.
"Maybe she was used to the crazy level of attention, but considering what had just happened to Allegra's uncle, Madonna should have known better.
"I thought, 'You just suck,' because she wanted the photos of her and Allegra in the papers the next morning.
"All hell broke loose. The whole team got interrogated because the family were so p****d off."
Tragic health battle
Life with the globetrotting Versace family was an eye-opening experience.
Mary Beth said: "How the other half live. One day we took Coco and her nanny to the famous New York toy store FAO Schwarz, where we were met at the back door by a smiling private shopper.
"Allegra was already so well versed in this at 11 years old, she was a pro.
"She never even looked in the direction of the personal shopper. All Allegra had to do was point to something and the woman would mark it on her clipboard. All very subtle, no eye contact.
"And then it all magically made its way to the Versace home, beautifully wrapped and ready to gift. Allegra was no average child."
Despite her gilded life, Allegra was in the deadly grip of anorexia, and had become dangerously thin.
Donatella later admitted: "Gianni was murdered in July, and Allegra stopped eating in September."
Gianni was murdered in July, and Allegra stopped eating in September
Donatella Versace
Allegra battled the disease for years, and at one stage weighed less than five stone.
"Her life sounds amazing but it was really sad," Mary Beth admitted.
"It was scary, helping the family keep Allegra safe in the midst of a health crisis.
"They asked me to stay on, and I had unwittingly become attached, or maybe just very protective of Allegra. But how long could I stand in a hallway guarding someone on the other side of a door during an intense treatment programme?
"Maybe I'd save her one day – from some threat, a kidnapper, an incompetent bodyguard, maybe from herself – but I wouldn't be happy doing that.
"I wanted to help young girls like Allegra, but the longer you're staying on with the protectee, the more you become integrated and trusted, then it's, 'Are you going to be yet another person that leaves?'"
Virtual recluse
Allegra had been thrust into the spotlight at just two days old – when she attended her first Versace show in the arms of her tanned tiger mum Donatella.
Elton John gave her her first piano, and at her 18th birthday party he staged an intervention over Donatella's crippling cocaine addiction.
Now 39, Allegra reportedly lives as a virtual recluse at the family home in Milan.
She loathes the limelight so much she even managed to get scenes depicting herself cut from the TV drama about Gianni's death – The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story – which drew record viewing figures.
I have the gift of the gab and it helps to be an attractive woman, but I've never slept with anyone to get what I need
Mary Beth Janke
She became a billionaire in 2018 when her mother and surviving uncle Santo sold their shares to Capri Holdings, which also owns Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.
She remained on the board, but the firm is now negotiating a takeover deal with rival luxury brand Prada.
Mary Beth went on to thrive in the male dominated world of close protection, risking her life in high stakes missions.
She became known as 'the woman who could get any man to drop his pants without sleeping with them'.
"A female bodyguard has the element of surprise," she says.
"I have the gift of the gab, and it helps to be an attractive woman, but I've never slept with anyone to get what I need."
The Protector: A Woman's Journey from the Secret Service to Guarding VIPs and Working in Some of the World's Most Dangerous Places, by Dr Mary Beth Wilkas Janke, is available now on Amazon.
Post a Comment