Peter Revson

Peter Jeffrey Revson (February 27, 1939 – March 22, 1974) was an American race car driver who had successes in Formula One and the Indianapolis 500.

Background

Peter Revson was born in New York City, the son of Julie (née Phelps) (1914–2000) and Martin Revson (1910–?).

Revson was listed as # 100 in The 100 greatest Jews in sports: ranked according to achievement, by B. P. Robert Stephen Silverman (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003). His father was Jewish, he called himself "half-Jewish" and he was proud of his Jewish heritage. His grandfather emigrated from Russia to the United States.

The nephew of Revlon Cosmetics industry magnate Charles Revson (1906–1975), Revson was an heir to his father Martin's fortune (reportedly worth over $1 billion). He was a young, handsome bachelor who was described as a "free spirit" who passed up an easy life for one of speed and danger. Off the track, he led his life at the same accelerated pace. Revson piloted a 32-foot (9.8 m) ChrisCraft and courted some of the most beautiful women in the world, including fashion model and 1973 Miss World, Marjorie Wallace. He had met Wallace at the Indianapolis 500; she was an Indianapolis native who was referred to as the "Hoosier Hotshot." He also fathered an illegitimte child, Adam, whom he predeceased and was the subject of a paternity action which was amicably resolved in 1977. He is believed to be living unassumingly in Chicago, Illinois, and is considered the last male heir to the Revlon empire.