Zourab was born in San Francisco on May 18th 1937 - the eldest son of Georgian Prince, Nicolas Tchkotoua and Carol Marmon (of the renowned early 20th century American motor manufacturers). His was a large family as Nicolas and Carol had five other children, Tamara, Zourab’s elder sister then Nina, Charles, Marina and Dimitri – all born while they lived in California. Known in the family and by friends simply as Zou, he was an affectionate and conscientious child and already from a tender age he possessed an elegance and charm which gave an insight into a promising life. In a busy household, he took on the role of protector to his younger siblings as they were growing up and this created a very strong bond between them all. At home, Zourab loved animals. Since his early childhood, where in California his parents had two Dobermans, he grew to love his pets and over the years he doted on various breeds amongst which one of his favourite – a wire-haired Dachshund, Sylvester. The family moved between San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Mexico before finally, in 1954, they settled in Lausanne. His father had wished to return to Switzerland which had become his new home as a teenager, along with many exiled families following the upheavals in history that upset the European continent. In that post-war Europe, the heirs of wealthy and noble families of the continent were educated together. At this time they were also often introduced to one another during afternoon teas or dinner parties hosted by Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain at her home in Lausanne. It was thus that he made some of his greatest and long-lasting friendships, amongst them Gunter Sachs; the young Prince Juan Carlos de Borbón, who he regarded nearly as a brother; the young members of the royal families of Italy and Spain as well as the Aga Khan. Zourab was a true friend and this was very evident in the love and respect they showed to him throughout his life. Gunter Sachs was very much his closest friend and mentor. They spent a great deal of time together enjoying sports and bachelor life in all the hot spots of Europe - and even made a short film together "Le Petit Port" with their friends Heidi Balzar, Buxy Gancia and Samir Sibaei. Zourab was also very close to Gunter' s wider family and became godfather to Gunter's son, Christian, Other durable family connections were made in the course of his life, for example with the Prado Eulate family of Spain: as in so many frienships, Zourab was simply devoted to the family and this loyalty and generousity was always strongly reciprocated. This abilty to form such positive and enriching friendships was certainly a key aspect of his character.
Zourab was a massive car enthusiast right from a very early age - a passion perhaps inherited from his own grandfather on his mother’s side (Howard Marmon). His brother Charles recounted spending long hours together with his brother mulling over different engines in their property Saberio in Montecito, Santa Barbara. Cars and motor bikes were interests that both brothers particularly shared together. As well as his love for cars he also had a real passion for driving and as a way of earning extra money in his early adulthood he would drive his friends’ parents luxury cars from one city to the next for them – a source of great fun and joy.
His enthusiasm became a notable skill which also took him to the circuits of Europe and US where he raced in various GT class races (in Ferraris mainly but also in Shelbys) such as Daytona, Sebring, Targa Florio and Nürburgring. On a number of occasions, he partnered with New Yorker, Tommy Hitchcock III. Pictured on this page he is driving in the Swiss hill climb, Col de la Faucille in 1959 racing in his Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta TdF where he finished 2nd in class and 13th overall. He also went on to finish 2nd in class in the Tour de France that year.
Zourab was a real Ferrari devotee and later went on to own a magnificent collection of Ferraris himself (including at one point a 250 GTO) – along the way becoming good friends with automotive luminaries such as Baron Toulo Graffenreid, Gianni Agnelli of FIAT and three times F1 World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart.
"Zou Tchkotoua was a very long term good friend of myself and my wife Helen. He was a man of incredible charm, quite a lad with the ladies in his early days of racing cars - which he did extremely well.
Whether it be Ferraris at Goodwood and all the other racetracks in Britain, or the Targa Florio, when he was faster than some of the best racing drivers in the world at that time. He never forgot his racing days during the times we spent together; whether it be in Switzerland, England or Spain over many years.
Zou was a great friend and someone that that Stewart family will never forget."
SIr Jackie Stewart
Zourab also had a flare for business particularly in property development which took him to the island of Mallorca in 1965. There he teamed up with the architect Pedro Otzup and together they went on to build several hundred homes for a new wealthy largely international clientele in large parts of the island mainly around Andratx including Aldea at Cala Fornells, Porto de Mar, Camp de Mar as well as around Puerto de Andratx. They contributed together to create the distinctive upmarket style which is associated with that part of Mallorca and has become a notable feature of modern Mallorcan architecture.
His skills at networking and his magnetic personality brought many prominent people including his old friend Prince Juan Carlos, the exiled Farah Pahlavi (Empress of Iran), Maria-Gabriella de Savoy and more latterly Claudia Schiffer and Michael Schumacher amongst many others. His efforts no doubt contributed greatly to the popularity of the Balearics and giving the name and prestige Mallorca enjoys today. It was at that time too that he met and married (in 1974) Marieta Salas, the daughter of well-known businessman, Pedro Salas who had been the youngest civil governor in Mallorca at the tender age of 27. When his marriage came to an end some 20 years later, he moved away from Mallorca choosing instead to live in Switzerland and in later years in Rabat, Morocco. As he had in Switzerland and in Spain, he made many new friends. It was in Rabat that he settled with his companion and confidante with whom he shared the rest of his life. A significant and glamorous personality herself, Aïcha Laghzaoui Benabdelali Benhima created a discrete and tremendously serene life with Zourab. He adored her company and that of her extended family and friends and he felt enveloped in love during these years. More latterly he was thrilled to receive visits from his son, Igor together with whom he spent many happy times. An interesting footnote is that Aïcha’s father Mohammed Laghzaoui was a self-made man who played a significant role in Morocco’s history and regaining its independence from France in 1956. He was instrumental in bringing back his childhood friend, HM King Mohammed V from his 3-year exile in Madagascar. Zourab was particularly proud of Aïcha and experienced her family’s close connection with the royal family (who Mohammed continued to serve until his death). In turn he was affectionately considered a friend by them all including the current HM Mohammed VI. Zourab will be remembered amongst other things for his immense charm, charisma and his kind heart. A true friend and companion to the ones he loved. A man who conducted himself with elegance and discretion whether in business or private. A genuinely unique person and a true gentleman in every way. His father, Nicolas had been a prominent member and Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (Order of Malta) and so along with his brother, Charles he was proud to become a member of the same order and to have granted his wish to be buried next to his parents at the Order’s Commandry in Compesières just outside Geneva. After a short illness, Zourab finally passed away, aged 82 on 18th July 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. He is survived by his beloved son, Igor who lives in Mallorca and travels extensively as a successful international DJ.
Cristina Tchkotoua, September 2019 With grateful thanks for their contributions to Aïcha, Sir Jackie Stewart and Carmen Sosa (Zourab's long-standing and dedicated assistant).