Born: 1897, Samoa
Died: 1988
Country most active: Samoa
Also known as: Agnes Genevieve Swann
Samoan hotelier Aggie Grey founded Aggie Grey’s Hotel in 1933, where she sold illicit alcohol during the Samoan Prohibition. In addition to being popular and well-known herself, the hotel hosted famous guests like Dorothy Lamour, Marlon Brando and Gary Cooper, and was part of the production and crew housing for the American film Return to Paradise (1953). It grew to encompass three resorts and, in 2013, became part of the Sheraton chain.
Grey’s sister, Mary Croudace, ran a boarding house in Apia known as “The Casino.” The sisters were friends of American writer James Michener, and are believed to be the inspiration for the character of Bloody Mary in his 1946 book, Tales of the South Pacific, which was later adapted into the stage and film musical South Pacific. In addition to being featured on postage stamps, Grey is the subject of two biographies: 1979’s Aggie Grey by Nelson Eustis and 1988’s Aggie Grey: A Samoan Saga by Fay Alailima.