María Aline Griffith Dexter (22 May 1923 – 11 December 2017), known as Aline Griffith, was an American-born social figure who married into the Spanish nobility and became the Countess of Romanones. She gained public attention for her wartime service in U.S. intelligence and for a series of popular memoirs recounting that period and her life among European and American elites. Griffith combined roles as an aristocrat, hostess, and author, remaining a visible personality in transatlantic high society for decades.

Early life and intelligence work

Born in the United States, Griffith entered intelligence work during World War II. After recruitment into the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), she served in roles that she later described as involving travel, information-gathering, and liaison with allied networks. Her accounts helped fuel public fascination with the wartime intelligence services and inspired her first books. Her wartime role is a recurrent theme in discussions of her life and publications.

Marriage, social life, and public role

After the war Griffith moved in international social circles and eventually married into the Spanish noble house of Romanones, acquiring the courtesy title Countess of Romanones. In Spain she hosted salons and participated in charitable and cultural activities, often appearing at public events and in society pages. Her position linked American and Spanish circles, and she maintained friendships with artists, politicians, and members of royal families across Europe and the Americas. For more on her social life see biographical sources.

Writings, themes, and public reception

Griffith wrote several memoirs and society chronicle books that blend reportage, memoir, and anecdote. Titles she is known for include The Spy Wore Red and The Spy Went Dancing, which recount episodes from her wartime service alongside portraits of postwar society. Her books proved popular with general readers and cemented her reputation as a raconteur. Publishers and reviewers often highlighted the glamour and intrigue of her storytelling; see publisher pages and catalogues for editions and translations at book listings and library records.

Legacy and notable facts

Griffith's life sits at the intersection of intelligence history and social history: she is remembered both for alleged clandestine activities during World War II and for decades as a public social figure in Spain and beyond. Historians and commentators have debated the level of secrecy and embellishment in her accounts, so readers are encouraged to consult archival and scholarly sources when seeking documentary confirmation. General introductions and further reading can be found via research guides.

  • Born: 22 May 1923
  • Died: 11 December 2017
  • Occupations: intelligence service staff, socialite, author