Rolling Stones Guitar Legend Keith Richards Set to Become a Great-Grandfather
Keith Richards, the iconic Rolling Stones guitarist, is poised to embrace the role of great-grandfather for the very first time. This heartwarming news comes after his granddaughter, model Ella Richards, publicly revealed that she is expecting her first child with her aristocratic boyfriend, Sascha von Bismarck.
Joyful Announcement on Social Media
Ella Richards, aged 29 and a star of Burberry campaigns, shared the joyful announcement on her Instagram account this past Wednesday. She posted a striking black-and-white photograph that beautifully captured her cradling her growing baby bump, radiating happiness and anticipation.
The post quickly garnered an outpouring of congratulations from friends and celebrities within the fashion and entertainment industries. Among those who rushed to offer their well-wishes were renowned models Stella Maxwell and Jade Parfitt, with the latter leaving three red heart emojis alongside the word 'Congratulations'. Actresses Lady Clara Paget and Poppy Delevingne also joined in celebrating the happy news.
A New Generation for the Richards Family
This pregnancy will make Keith Richards, now 82 years old, a great-grandfather. It is noteworthy that Sir Mick Jagger, also 82 and Keith's fellow Rolling Stone, is currently the only other member of the band to have achieved great-grandfather status. Jagger reached this milestone back in 2014 when his granddaughter, Assisi Jackson, welcomed her first child.
Ella Richards is the daughter of Marlon Richards, who is Keith's son from his long-term relationship with the late model and actress Anita Pallenberg. Her mother is former model and stylist Lucie de la Falaise, who herself is a niece of the legendary Yves Saint Laurent muse, Loulou de la Falaise.
Ella Richards and Sascha von Bismarck's Relationship
Ella has been in a relationship with Sascha von Bismarck, aged 31, for several years. The couple officially confirmed their romance in early 2023 when Ella appeared on the cover of Tatler magazine. In that feature, she spoke candidly about being photographed by Sascha for the shoot, remarking, 'It was really easy. I feel very comfortable with him taking my photo, which is a very personal thing.'
Sascha von Bismarck hails from one of Europe's most distinguished aristocratic dynasties. He is the younger brother of Kate Moss's photographer ex-boyfriend, Count Nikolai von Bismarck, aged 39. Their father is the colourful businessman Count Leopold von Bismarck-Schönhausen, and their mother is the glamorous fashion designer Countess Debonnaire von Bismarck, a well-known figure in London high society and a close friend of Kate Moss.
Notably, Nikolai and Sascha are great-great-grandsons of Otto von Bismarck, the towering 19th-century German statesman and chancellor who unified Germany. The city of Bismarck in North Dakota is named in his honour.
Ella Richards' Fashion Career and Family Ties
Ella Richards first burst onto the fashion scene at the tender age of 18, making her debut at New York Fashion Week. She quickly rose to prominence by starring in a high-profile Burberry campaign, shot by the legendary photographer Mario Testino. In that campaign, she appeared alongside supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Cara Delevingne, and Jourdan Dunn.
Her talent was swiftly recognized, and she was snapped up by the Kate Moss Agency, which is run by the supermodel herself. Since then, Ella has walked the runway for numerous fashion heavyweights, including Prada, Calvin Klein, Fendi, Valentino, and Sonia Rykiel.
An old friend of Kate Moss, Ella was one of fifteen flower girls at the model's wedding to The Kills musician Jamie Hince in 2011. Kate Moss, now 52, split from Jamie Hince, 57, in 2015 before striking up an on-off romance with Nikolai von Bismarck later that same year. Their relationship ultimately came to an end in December 2024.
Insights into Keith Richards and Family Life
In the same Tatler interview where she confirmed her relationship with Sascha, Ella Richards offered a rare and affectionate portrait of her famous grandfather. She described Keith Richards as being far removed from his wild-man reputation, stating, 'He is very quiet and sweet and loving. He's a lot more shy than people think.'
She also painted a vivid picture of her famously bohemian upbringing, revealing that Keith and Anita Pallenberg, who passed away in 2017, had an endearingly unconventional approach to dressing. 'My grandfather used to wear my grandmother's clothes, and she used to wear his,' Ella shared. 'Most of my family are slightly mad and crazy or weird. My whole family are all crazy creatives. No one is academic. Everyone is wild and free-spirited.'
Speaking about watching Keith and his fellow Rolling Stones perform live on stage, she added, 'They're high on adrenaline, and it keeps them young. It's so inspiring that they continue to do what they love, as long as they can.'
As Ella Richards and Sascha von Bismarck prepare to welcome their first child, the extended Richards family and their wide circle of friends eagerly await the arrival of this new generation, adding another chapter to the legendary rock and roll dynasty.
