If you’ve ever blasted Duran Duran’s “Rio” while imagining yourself sailing across the sea, champagne in one hand, wind machine in the other, then you’ve already met Reema Ruspoli. She’s that girl. The one slinking across a yacht like she owned the ocean, effortlessly outshining the boys from Duran Duran in the Rio music video.
Who was this woman who danced on the sand? And where is she now?
Princess, Model, Yacht Goddess
Reema Ruspoli (yes, Princess Reema Ruspoli), is half-English, half-Palestinian, and fully captivating. At the time “Rio” was filmed in 1982, Reema was signed with the London-based Models One agency. The label “exotic beauty” might be overused, but Reema defined it: high cheekbones, a piercing gaze, and that playful air of effortless chic. You couldn’t tell if she was going to kiss you or sink your sailboat. Reema was featured on the cover of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Journal and many others.
Reema Brought Rio to Life
The video, directed by Russell Mulcahy, was shot on location in Antigua, and it played like a fantasy travel brochure complete with boyish grins from five fellows who chose designer suits over a pair of geometric Jams. And Reema? Reema brought the story to life as the flirtatious yet elusive dream woman.
Marrying into Royalty
Reema eventually married Prince Costantino Ruspoli from one of Italy’s historically prominent families. Costantino started as a globe-trotting photojournalist before shifting into fashion photography and fine art. Creative minds, beautiful people, Tuscan villas — Reema and Costantino have the whole glamorous package.
The couple now lives in Tuscany with their three sons, leading a life far removed from MTV reruns and pastel blazers.
We imagine they’re probably gazing out over vineyards and olive groves as they sip wine and discuss vintage Leica cameras.
Where Is She Now?
Unlike many video vixens of the ’80s who parlayed their screen time into acting or pop careers, Reema gracefully exited stage left. While Duranies have turned up every bit of trivia from the “Rio” shoot — from how seasick some of the band got to the fact that Andy Taylor nearly fell off the boat — Reema has remained a low-key legend. She hasn’t sought fame. She’s not launching a lifestyle brand or doing nostalgic convention panels.
She simply is the “Rio” girl. The fantasy. The visual hook of a video that defined a decade.
Not to Be Confused with Marcie Hunt Dinkel
Now before we sail any further, let’s clear something up. Reema Ruspoli may have embodied the fantasy in the “Rio” music video, but she was not the woman who inspired the album’s iconic cover art. That honor belongs to Marcie Hunt (now Marcie Dinkel), a former model and current co-owner of a Napa Valley winery. Duranies had been combing the world for that face, and thanks to a little Instagram sleuthing by Nagel expert Mark Walker and art broker Monica Moynihan, they finally cracked the code. So yes, there are two Rios — one cruising the Caribbean in face paint, and one immortalized on the Rio album cover.
