Benitez-Rexach, Lucienne (1905–1968)
Benitez-Rexach, Lucienne (1905–1968)
French cabaret singer. Name variations: Mome Moineau or Môme Moineau; Lucienne Benitez Rexach; Lucienne Benitez; Lucienne d'Hotelle de Benitez Rexach. Born Lucienne d'Hotelle in a caravan in France in 1905 (one source cites 1909); died Jan 18, 1968; dau. of traveling marketsellers; m. Felix Benitez Rexach (wealthy Puerto Rican engineer and friend of Trujillo), in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1928 (died 1975).
Well known as a child flowerseller at Fouquet's on the Champs Elysées, began career as a cabaret singer with the help of the couturier Paul Poiret, acquiring the name La Möme Moineau (kid sparrow); worked in theater until 1930; married well and led an extravagant life; while living in San Pedro de Marcoris, Cuidada Trujillo, Dominican Republic, bought a PC-461 Class submarine chaser with galley facilities to serve 100 guests (June 1947), then challenged Onassis to a yacht race; also lived in France (1946–52); became cultural attaché at San Domingo.