Biography

Susana Valeria Rosa Maria Gil Passo

A central figure in the history of La Mortella, founder of the William Walton La Mortella Trust and guardian of a unique cultural and botanical legacy.
Lady Walton
 

Susana Valeria Rosa Maria Gil Passo was born in Argentina in 1926. As the daughter of wealthy parents, she received a fine education and was raised bilingual, developing an international and independent outlook from an early age.

At the age of 22, thanks to her education and free spirit, she made an unusual choice for a young woman of her time and social background: she took a position at the British Consulate in Buenos Aires.

It was there that she met the composer William Walton, who was visiting Argentina as part of a diplomatic delegation. Gil Passo organised a press conference for him, and Walton proposed marriage that very same night.

Despite a difference of 24 years in age and their very different backgrounds, and notwithstanding the concerns of their families, they quickly became engaged and married.

At the time, Walton was already a renowned composer in England and wished to relocate to Italy, a decision that Lady Walton fully supported. The couple moved to Forio, on the island of Ischia, in October 1949.

Lady Walton soon became known among the local community for her cosmopolitan charm and refined sense of style. Initially living in rented houses, they later purchased their own land.

The creation of La Mortella
In transforming that volcanic terrain into their home, the Waltons were able to count on the help of renowned landscape designer Russell Page. But beyond the initial design entrusted to his talent, it was Lady Walton who gave soul and substance to the project, overseeing its implementation step by step. With patience and sensitivity, she devoted herself to choosing the plants, paying attention to the details, and building the garden that, over time, would become a unique and enchanting place: La Mortella.

For over fifty years, she devoted her energy, vision and passion to the development of the garden, which opened to the public in 1991. Since then, La Mortella has become one of the most celebrated botanical gardens in Italy and a tribute both to Walton’s genius and, later, to that of Gil Passo herself.

Following her husband’s death, she founded the William Walton La Mortella Trust, a charitable organisation dedicated to promoting musical culture and maintaining the garden. Together with the Italian Fondazione Walton, the Trust manages the estate, hosts concerts, offers music courses for talented students and organises music weeks.

Her final major project was the construction of a Greek theatre, with a stage designed to accommodate a full symphony orchestra, further reflecting her cultural vision and commitment to music.

Lady Walton received numerous honours, including an honorary degree in music from the University of Nottingham, the MBE, and the title of Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana.

She also authored two books: Behind the Façade, a biography of Walton, and La Mortella – An Italian Garden Paradise.

Lady Walton continued her work at the garden and within the foundation until the end of her life. She passed away peacefully in 2010 at La Mortella, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of beauty, music and cultural vision.