Roman Holiday: Dr. Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Daughter Hyacinth Celebrate from Rome to the Mediterranean
Dr. Michelle-Marie Heinemann, the glamorous New York City socialite, and her beautiful daughter, Hyacinth Heinemann, brought their signature elegance to Rome this summer, hosting an intimate dinner for fourteen at Mirabelle in honor of their longtime family friend Jacques Bounin to celebrate his birthday.
Perched above the Eternal City, Mirabelle is one of Rome’s most lavish fine-dining destinations, pairing Mediterranean and classical Italian cuisine with an antique mirrored dining room and panoramic terrace overlooking Villa Medici, the Spanish Steps and St. Peter’s. It was classic Roman luxury the perfect setting for the evening.
Guests flew in from around the world to celebrate Jacques, who was joined by his exquisite wife, Olympia Bounin, their daughter Laura Bounin, and her boyfriend, Bernd Herrmann. An extraordinary homemade raspberry and chantilly cream cake, made especially for Jacques, added a wonderfully personal touch to the evening.
Rome, however, was only the beginning.
The following day, Dr. Heinemann and Hyacinth joined friends aboard a private Mediterranean yacht cruise organized by John Silvin, whose connection to Le Rosey, the legendary Swiss boarding school in Rolle and Gstaad, spans two generations. Silvin, his brother and his father are all alumni. His generosity in dedicating his time and energy to organizing the voyage brought together an international group of Le Rosey alumni, current families and friends for a very special week at sea.
Dr. Heinemann has her own connection to Le Rosey. Her son, Hudson Heinemann, attended the school’s summer program, and she was later named a Le Rosey Goodwill Ambassador. Hudson is now a Division I quarterback at Villanova University, entering his sophomore year.
The Mediterranean itinerary was quintessentially European summer: Capri, Noto, Syracuse and Malta, with days spent along crystalline coastlines and evenings shared among friends aboard the yacht.
The journey continued in Malta, where Dr. Heinemann turned hostess once again, this time celebrating Hyacinth’s fifteenth birthday. Joining mother and daughter were Jean-Christophe and Sarah Bouchard, Jacques and Olympia Bounin, Laura Bounin and Bernd Herrmann, Isabelle Kowal and Alain Berdouare, along with friends from the voyage.
Away from the social whirl, Dr. Heinemann is an artist, philanthropist and founder of the Flower Tree Foundation. She is the creator of its monumental Flower Tree sculptures, which are placed internationally.
From a glamorous dinner above the rooftops of Rome to Capri, Sicily and Malta by yacht, the trip captured the spirit of a cosmopolitan European summer—beautiful places, old friendships, family celebrations and just the right touch of la dolce vita.
