Nadine Muriel, Countess of Shrewsbury (née Crofton-Atkins;[1] 24 January 1913 – 19 February 2003), known professionally as Nadine Talbot and later as Nadine Credi, was an English opera soprano and the first wife of John Chetwynd-Talbot, 21st Earl of Shrewsbury (1914–1980). They married in 1936.[2][3]
Her father was Brigadier-General Cyril Randell Crofton-Atkins, of Crediton, and her mother was Mary Ruth Josephine Emily Lyne Evans, daughter of Arthur Henry Lyne Evans, of the colliery and foundry-owning Evans family of Haydock, Lancashire.[2][4]
She promoted two seasons of Opera at Ingestre in 1957 and 1958, an opera festival at Ingestre Hall, the couple's home. She was one of a series of society beauties photographed as classical figures by Madame Yevonde.[5]
Lord Shrewsbury sued for divorce in 1958, claiming that Nadine had been sexually involved with their daughter's tutor, Anthony Lowther, but in 1959 judge Charles A. Collingwood rejected the divorce suit, finding that Lord Shrewsbury had committed adultery with Nina Mortlock.[6][7] In a subsequent proceeding, a divorce was granted. Lord Shrewsbury's second wife was Nina Mortlock.[2]
Lady Shrewsbury died in Bedford, Bedfordshire, in 2003.[8]
Nadine and Lord Shrewsbury had six children. They had four daughters before the birth of an heir, Charles.[9] He succeeded to the earldoms in 1980.[4]
The Earl of Shrewsbury, Premier Earl of England and Ireland, has filed a petition seeking to divorce the Countess, Solicitors for the Countess said last night