Introduction
Following a period of instability in England and abroad, Olive Vivian Trainor entered a new phase of her life defined by enterprise and reinvention. Her move to South Africa marked a turning point, in which she established a degree of independence and financial stability through business.
Return to England and New Beginnings
Olive returned to England in 1938, as tensions in Europe increased prior to the outbreak of the Second World War.
During this period, she formed a relationship with Major George Stephenson. Although she did not remarry, she adopted the name Olive Stephenson by deed poll.
“Madame Olive” in Knightsbridge
Using funds secured from her divorce settlement, Olive established a business at 37 Knightsbridge in London.
Trading as “Madame Olive,” the enterprise included:
- a beauty salon
- the sale of perfumes and cosmetic products
- a treatment marketed for hair loss
- a marriage bureau known as “Wedding Bells”
Despite her ambition, the business struggled to attract sustained clientele and proved financially difficult to maintain.
Move to South Africa
Seeking new opportunities, Olive relocated to South Africa, where she re-established her marriage bureau.
In contrast to her experience in London, the venture proved successful. She expanded operations across:
- Natal
- Durban
- and into Rhodesia
This marked the most stable and commercially successful period of her life.
Family and Changing Circumstances
Her son later joined her in South Africa, initially working within her business before pursuing a career in retail, theatre, and eventually broadcasting.
This period saw a gradual shift from instability toward a more settled existence.
Later Years
In 1968, her son moved to Scotland to work with Scottish Television. Olive followed, settling in Glasgow, where she remained for the rest of her life.
She died on 21 August 1980, aged 86.
Reinvention and Resilience
Olive’s life in South Africa demonstrates a remarkable capacity for adaptation.
After a series of personal and financial setbacks, she was able to:
- establish a successful business
- maintain independence
- and support herself and her family in a new environment
Significance
This phase of her life highlights:
- the possibilities for reinvention in the wider British Empire
- the role of migration in shaping personal histories
- and the resilience required to rebuild after social and financial disruption
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