Stirling & Susie – the Moss couple was so closely associated with the Ennstal-Classic for so many years.
When Stirling died three years ago, the sun fell from the sky for his beloved wife. His urn has stood beside her bed ever since: “Every day I talk to Stirling because I miss him so much.” Now Susie has also passed on, in her 70th year. For the last few years we have missed her laughter in the Ennstal, which she loved to visit.
Bentley & Schnitzel – Memories of Susie Moss
When I think of Susie, one thing immediately comes to mind: “Bentley & Schnitzel”. When Stirling, Ennstal-Classic ambassador, received his Chopard watch in April 2012, I picked him and Susie up in a Bentley Vienna limousine, with Inge Limbach from ORF ready for an interview. Together with the camera team we waited in the old arrivals hall. Shortly before the London flight landed, a plane from Brussels arrived, an Austrian minister saw the tv crew and came hurriedly towards us. Inge waved her on: “We are waiting for the great Stirling Moss”. And then he came, Susie had to support him, a few weeks earlier Stirling had fallen down the elevator shaft of his apartment building. Susie was always his support.
After the ORF interview, I loaded Stirling & Susie into the Bentley for the drive to the Hotel Sacher. Susie was impressed by the rear of the luxury limousine: “I’m feeling like Liz Taylor – but I’m alive!”. The text that then ran between the couple was also unsurpassed in wit, charm and kindness. I should have installed a microphone. That evening, after the Chopard event, we dined at Hotel Sacher with the Moss family. The German menu left me puzzled despite my culinary experience. Susie was also overwhelmed. “I had schnitzel here for lunch,” she said to me, “I’ll just have that again.” I looked at her, “I’ll do that too.” To this day, it was the best schnitzel of my life.
Surprise Guests and British Courtesy – Susie Moss as a Loyal Companion
Two and a half years earlier, the Moss family stayed at Sacher as surprise guests for Helmut Zwickl’s 70th at Laudon Castle, arranged via summer meetings and fall emails with Susie. Susie’s communication was also charming and witty and always characterized by British politeness. As befits a lady, Susie was officially a lady since 1999, when Stirling was knighted by the Queen. A few weeks later, I told the story about Zwickl’s birthday surprise during one of my foreign assignments at a dinner with Mercedes managers. “Great. But what was the cost of the operation? “So, what was Stirling Moss’ fee?” The Germans were shocked the couple paid everything themselves. Moss, a top driver, was deservedly well-paid even in retirement. Susie managed the family’s (real estate) business from London, as well as their colorful, travel-filled (professional) lives. Even as Stirling’s health deteriorated, she was always by his side.
Susie was 24 years younger than Stirling. And when the two saw each other for the first time, just five years old – it was in the British colony of Hong Kong and the star racing driver and his then wife were guests of Susie’s parents. At 17, she moved to London, and the two were married in 1980. At the time of the wedding, Susie was four months pregnant – it is son Eliot to whom our greatest condolences go today. He is consoled by the fact that his parents are now reunited.
Enrico Falchetto
