Limerick to Cote D’Ivoire

On 11 Sept 1935, Ann-Marie Slater, as her birth certificate recorded, was born in High Street Nursing home, the eldest to a Protestant father from Northern Ireland, and a Welsh mother (who had converted to Catholicism in the early 1920s). As a result of her parents’ different heritages and religious affiliations she was bound to have grown up a little confused. Her parents courting and marriage was always one for debate as they wed in 10 December 1933, Lough Rea, Co. Galway, as “Vagi” (travellers). Her father Arthur used the name Slater for the first time, this was actually the name of his step-father, not his own. It seems that name changing must have been in their blood.

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After her birth she lived with her parents on Thomas Street, until the World War Two broke out, when her parents moved to Leeds, England, leaving Ann-Marie in the care of her grandparents Annie and Jeremiah Walters on Quarry Road. By this time she had adopted the name Laura. Her grandmother was a former concert pianist in Wales, and her uncles and mother were all involved in amateur dramatics.

It would not have been a surprise to anyone when Laura moved to London in her late teens, now taking the name Navaro. While in London she took to the stage in Soho where she became involved in an ill-fated love affair that left her pregnant. Her son was raised by her mother in Leeds as she continued to work to support him. She modelled, sung, acted, and even had bit parts in movies. Most notably in the film, “That’s Life”, this was produced sometime in the 1960s.

At one point in the 1960’s she married Alex Bennett from Belgium, who turned out to be a bigamist. She lived with him in Brussels for a time, but their love affair lost its flair and appeal early in their relationship. Alex’s first wife was less than thrilled to discover her husband’s new marriage. Before taking any legal action, she actually attempted to take Laura’s life in a fit of blind rage that took over her. When she realised she would be unable to kill Laura, she tried to get her arrested by claiming some fur coats given to Laura by Alex were stolen. Ultimately, Alex’s first wife took them both to court to have their marriage annulled, which she successfully managed to achieve.

In the 1960s she began a tour of Europe, stopping and performing in Paris, Belgium, Monticarlo.

“Cabaret “The Potomac”, open from 6 pm till dawn.
International attractions:
charm with Laura Navaro
illusion with Lork and Julit
strength and contortions with Alexandre”

While in Belgium she shared an apartment with fellow performer Petula Clark. Unlike Petula, Laura never returned to England as a performer but ended her tour in Cote D’Ivoire, West Africa, where she retired to much acclaim.

One of the cabins on Laura’s island

Being the kind of woman she was, both motivated and ambitious, she bought an island off the coast of Abidjan where she set up a popular hotel. The location turned into something of a tourist hotspot, mostly for Americans and French on holiday. There was even a private nudist section provided on the island for the more adventurous types.While Laura was able to travel back to England a few times after settling into her new home and career, her father was never able to visit the island. This was due to the fact that he could not apply for a passport, since it would require he show his birth certificate, which listed a different name than he had been using for years.

Laura on holiday in Limerick

In 2001, after being attacked by a monkey which damaged her leg, she hobbled her way to the Alter for the second and final time where she married Camille Melhem. Laura and Camille lived out their final years together on this island, at the very hotel she established. Even once civil war broke out in the area, and most non-Africans were evacuated, Laura refused to leave, insisting on staying in her home, with her loving and supportive husband.

She sadly passed away as a result of the civil unrest and resulting war in Cote D’Ivorie on 2 Oct 2003. Even after her death, Camille, heart-broken and distraught, refused to leave the island or his duties at running the hotel. He stayed in their home until his passing in 2008.

Her sister, Collette , had the following words to say about Laura in her book “Who’s There?” :

“{Laura was}… small in stature, but with a big temper – if annoyed enough, she could cause an earthquake.”

Laura’s life was an inspiration and her death a shock to all who knew and loved her. But her memory still lives on in the hearts and minds of her friends and family, and most especially in the stories that they share with others around them.

“Do not be fooled by the mischievous air the famous oriental dancer Laura Navarro tries to portray. Behind her smile she hides a great sadness. This sadness which does not spare even the greatest stars when they appear for the last time in front of their public who applauded them on many occasions, in an environment where they know all the tricks and habits. It is in one word what is going to happen tonight to Laura Navarro, who will say goodbye to the public of the Happy-Club. She wants to leave them an unforgettable memory.

The famous cabaret of the motorway has changed a little with the arrival of the Crazy Fingers praised by the Abidjan smart set. Laura will have the heavy task of relaxing the dancers opening for them a big window on the Orient.

Laura will dance at midnight in order to allow all her admirers to be on time.”

Laura’s story has also been shared on the World Irish website.