Marisa Berenson

Berenson in 2010, photo by Denis Makarenko/

Birth Name: Vittoria Marisa Schiaparelli Berenson

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 15, 1947

Ethnicity:
*father – Ashkenazi Jewish
*maternal grandfather – Polish, Breton, French
*maternal grandmother – Italian

Marisa Berenson is an American actress and model.

Marisa is the daughter of socialite Gogo Schiaparelli (born Maria-Luisa Yvonne Radha de Wendt de Kerlor) and diplomat Robert Lawrence/Laurence Berenson. Her sister was photographer Berinthia “Berry” Berenson, who died in the September 11 attacks. Berry was married to actor Anthony Perkins.

Marisa has a daughter with her former husband, rivet manufacturer James Randall.

Marisa’s father was Jewish, from a Jewish family from Lithuania, Russia, France, and Hungary. His family’s surname was originally spelt Valvrojenski. Marisa’s mother had Polish, Breton, and French-Swiss roots on one side and Italian ancestry on the other.

Marisa’s paternal grandfather was Bernard Berenson (the son of Leyb/Louis/Lewis Berenson and Sarah Bernstein). Bernard was born in Massachusetts, to Russian Jewish parents. Leyb was the son of Wolf Berenson and Baylee. Sarah was the daughter of Isaac Bernstein and Slova. Through this side, Marisa is a second cousin, once removed, of art historian Bernard Berenson and athlete and educator Senda Berenson, who is one of the first two women elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Marisa’s paternal grandmother was Corinne Francesca Levy (the daughter of Anatole/Anatol Levy and Elizabeth/Eliza Nathan). Corinne was born in Massachusetts. Anatole was born in France, the son of Nathan Levy and Rachel/Rachiel Klein. Elizabeth was born in Hungary, the daughter of Emanuel Nathan and Fanny.

Marisa’s maternal grandfather was Wilhelm Frederick Wendt, who later changed his named to Wendt de Kerlor (the son of Frederick Wendt and Sofia W. de Kerlor). Wilhelm was born in Geneva, Switzerland. Frederick was said to be Polish, from Prussia. Sofia was said to be French.

Marisa’s maternal grandmother was Elsa Luisa Maria Schiaparelli (the daughter of Celestino Schiaparelli and Maria-Luisa Domenitis). Elsa was a prominent fashion designer, from Rome, Italy. Marisa’s great-grandfather Celestino was a prominent scholar, and was born in Savigliano, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, to parents having the same surname, Antonino Schiaparelli and Caterina Schiaparelli, who were related. Caterina’s family was from Province of Biella, Piedmont. Marisa’s great-grandmother Maria-Luisa was from a Neapolitan family, of aristocratic background.

Elsa’s uncle, Giovanni Schiaparelli, was a prominent astronomer. She was also related to Egyptologist Ernesto Schiaparelli and historian and palaeographer Luigi Schiaparelli.

Elsa had an interest in Egyptian art. She was said to be of part Egyptian descent; it is not clear if that is accurate.

Sources: Frocking Life: Searching For Elsa Schiaparelli, 2016, by Jean Druesedow –

Genealogy of Marisa Berenson –

Marisa’s father on the 1920 U.S. Census –

Marriage record of Marisa’s paternal grandparents, Bernard Berenson and Corinne Francesca Levy –

Marriage record of Marisa’s paternal great-grandparents, Leyb/Louis/Lewis Berenson and Sarah Bernstein –

Genealogy of Marisa’s paternal grandmother, Corinne Francesca Levy (focusing on her own father’s side) –

Marriage record of Marisa’s paternal great-grandparents, Anatole/Anatol Levy and Elizabeth/Eliza Nathan –

Information about Marisa’s maternal grandmother, Elsa Luisa Maria Schiaparelli –

Obituary of Marisa’s maternal grandmother, Elsa Luisa Maria Schiaparelli –

Information about Marisa’s Schiaparelli relatives –