Primula “Primmie” Niven, the 28-year-old wife of British actor and wartime veteran David Niven, has tragically passed away following a freak accident during a Hollywood party. The couple had relocated to California just six weeks prior, following Niven’s service in the British Army during World War II.
The incident occurred during a gathering at the home of actor Tyrone Power, which was attended by several notable Hollywood figures, including Rex Harrison, Cesar Romero, and fashion designer Oleg Cassini.
According to witnesses, the party guests decided to play “Sardines,” a popular variation of hide-and-seek. In this game, one person hides in the dark, and as other players find them, they must join them in the hiding spot until everyone is packed into the same space.
Mrs. Niven was selected to be the first to hide, and the lights in the house were extinguished.
During the search, designer Oleg Cassini opened a door expecting a closet, but discovered a steep, hazardous drop leading to a concrete basement level. Before closing the door, Cassini reported hearing a soft moaning sound coming from the bottom of the steps.
Investigation revealed that Mrs. Niven had opened the same door in the darkness and suffered a severe fall down the basement staircase.
Mrs. Niven was rushed to a local hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries two days later.
In a statement read at her funeral, a devastated David Niven paid tribute to his wife of six years, with whom he shared two young sons:
“She always longed to come to California after the war and share my life here. They were the six happiest weeks of her life.”
The tragic event has stunned the Hollywood community. While David Niven is currently a rising actor in the industry, colleagues expect this sudden loss to heavily impact the young family.