Kate Winslet, who became a household name in the Philippines for portraying the role of Rose in the movie Titanic, recently made headlines by saving a 90-year-old from the fire.
Kate Winslet and her young children were staying at the Great House on Necker Island when it was struck by lightning during the early hours of Monday when the area was hit by Hurricane Irene. While the other guests fled for their lives, the actress carried the 90-year-old Eve Branson to safety. Eve is the mother of Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Records and owner of the Great House.
There were about 20 guests at the Great House that time which included Kate, her boyfriend and her two kids, and Sir Richard's daughter, nephews, nieces, and friends.
Sir Richard, 61, his wife Joan and son Sam, 25, were staying at another villa some 100 yards away. He had to run naked towards the burning house to help rescue his guests.
The house was completely destroyed. Sir Richard said his office was based in that house and with the fire went a lot of his treasured photographs. But all of his friends are well, and that's what really mattered.
The tycoon also talked to ITV News about Kate Winslet's role in saving his mother. He said, ‘It was she who carried my mother out of the house. She said it was like being on a film set where you’re waiting for the words “cut” but they just don’t come. So it was quite surreal for her to be in a real-life situation.
‘She carried my Mum out of the house. My Mum is 90 and can walk but it was more just to speed the process up than anything else but anyway, she was great. She swept her up into her arms and got them out of the house as fast as possible.’
Sir Richard Branson bought the Necker Island,which is part of the British Virgin Islands, in 1979. It is used by his family and friends but is also available for rent for a sum of 34,000 pounds a night. Those who doesn't wanna rent the whole place can stay there for 1,115 pounds a night.
Well-known guests of the Great House on Necker Island were Princess Diana with young sons William and Harry, Kate Middleton, Janet Jackson, Harrison Ford, Mariah Carey, Eddie Murphy, and Oprah Winfrey.
Below is the photo of the Great House before it was consumed by fire.
via dailymail.co.uk
