Donatella brought a new sensibility to the house of Versace. These days, the label is more in tune with the modern career woman, as the former muse has taken her inspiration from the lives of friends such as Madonna, Trudie Styler, Naomi Campbell and Courtney Love. And, while the hemlines might not have dropped along with the price tags, collections display more variety while retaining her brother's original ethos. With profits looking good and rave reviews in the fashion press, Donatella is riding high.

Donatella with Prince Charles

She has two children, Allegra, born in 1986, to whom Gianni bequeathed the lion's share of his multi-million dollar estate, and Daniel, five years his sister's junior. The fashion house head is married to Paul Beck, a former model, although the two generally live separate lives. With houses just about everywhere – not to mention the five-star Versace hotels that are springing up all over the globe – Donatella leads the peripatetic life only the truly rich can achieve. With diamonds that are "bigger than a very big grape, but smaller – just – than an apricot" – according to the Daily Telegraph, Donatella is excessive glamour personified.

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