Marina Știrbey

Trained by Constantin Abeles, she learned to fly in 1935, at the “Mircea Cantacuzino” School of Aviation. In September 1935, she became a second class travel pilot and și she started to parcipate in air shows organised in Oradea, Băneasa and Târgu Jiu.

In 1936, she wins the air rally organized by “Tempo” newspaper. Following her merits, on 6 June 1936, she received – along with Ioana Cantacuzino, the first woman to obtain the civilian pilot license in Romania – the Aeronautical Virtue from King Carol II.

Marina Ştirbey prepared a raid in the northern countries, where she wanted to learn more about mutual air. Following this raid she was directly involved in the establishment of the sanitary aviation in Romania founding, following the finish example, the Sanitary Squadron, made up exclusively of women. This initiative is joined by Mariana Drăgescu, Virginia Duțescu, Nadia Russo and Irina Burnaia. Thus arises the famous White Squadron, as it was named by the italian journalist Curzio Malaparte.

In 1942, she married Constantin Basarab Brâncoveanu – one of the descendants of the martyr-voivode – in Mogoşoaia. In 1948, Constantin was imprisoned by the Communists for political reasons, leaving her and her two children to poverty. Martha Bibescu learned about her situation, and intervened through the Red Cross, managing to bring her to France. Once out of jail, her husband was forced to work in a factory until he managed to reunite with the rest of his family.

In 1942, she married Constantin Basarab Brâncoveanu – one of the descendants of the martyr-voivode – in Mogoşoaia. In 1948, Constantin was imprisoned by the Communists for political reasons, leaving her and her two children to poverty. In 1962, she managed, together with the children, to leave the country and in 1963 Constantin was able to join them using his hard currency money received from his relations in France and with the help of a Jewish organisation (Jakober, City of London). No doubt Martha Bibescu helped with her intervation through the Red Cross.