New Book Offers Nuanced Look at Matriarch of Infamous Mitford Family

Rachel Trethewey's biography 'Muv' explores the complex life of Lady Sydney Redesdale, mother to the eccentric Mitford sisters.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:03am by Ben Kaplan

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An abstract close-up photograph of a luxurious, heavily textured velvet fabric in deep, rich shades of burgundy and plum, capturing the high-fashion glamour and opulence associated with the Mitford family's aristocratic background.The lavish, textured fabrics that surrounded the privileged Mitford family hint at the complex personal and political dynamics that shaped their notorious legacy.San Francisco Today

As the Mitford family has seen a resurgence in pop culture, a new biography titled 'Muv' by Rachel Trethewey offers a nuanced portrayal of Lady Sydney Redesdale, the mother of the infamous Mitford sisters. The book explores Redesdale's contradictory political views, her support for Hitler, and the family tragedies she faced, providing a more complex understanding of this troubling figure.

Why it matters

The Mitford family has long been a source of fascination, with the sisters' varying degrees of notoriety - from bestselling authors to Hitler sympathizers. 'Muv' provides a deeper look at the family's matriarch, whose political leanings and tumultuous personal life shaped the upbringing of the Mitford children. The book aims to move beyond simplistic judgments, examining how Redesdale's own experiences and the parenting norms of her era contributed to her controversial views and relationships.

The details

Trethewey's biography draws heavily on the fictional accounts of the Mitford sisters, particularly the works of Nancy and Jessica Mitford, to piece together the life of their mother, Lady Sydney Redesdale. While acknowledging the potential inaccuracies in these fictionalized portrayals, the author uses them to gain insight into Redesdale's personality and the family dynamics. The book details Redesdale's support for Hitler, her financial struggles, and her long battle with Parkinson's disease, as well as the family tragedies she endured, including the deaths of children and grandchildren.

  • The book 'Muv' was released in April 2026.
  • The Mitford family has seen a resurgence in pop culture in recent years, with the 2017 biography 'The Six' and the streaming series 'Outrageous!' about the eccentric sisters.

The players

Lady Sydney Redesdale

The mother of the infamous Mitford sisters, who was politically conservative and supported Hitler, though not as rabidly as her daughters. She faced family tragedies and a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Nancy Mitford

One of the Mitford sisters who became a bestselling author, known for works like 'The American Way of Death' and 'Love in a Cold Climate'.

Jessica Mitford

Another Mitford sister who became a bestselling author, and who had a complicated, estranged relationship with her mother.

Diana Mitford

One of the Mitford sisters who became friends with Adolf Hitler.

Unity Mitford

One of the Mitford sisters who also became friends with Adolf Hitler.

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What they’re saying

“Should she be outlawed because of her support for Hitler, or can we abhor her views while feeling sympathy for the family tragedies she faced?”

— Rachel Trethewey, Author

“When Sydney got off the aeroplane, looking exhausted and more vulnerable than her daughter remembered, Jessica's attitude towards her became more sympathetic.”

— Rachel Trethewey, Author

What’s next

The book 'Muv' is expected to generate further discussion and analysis of the Mitford family's complex legacy, as well as the challenges of reconciling an individual's troubling political views with their personal struggles and humanity.

The takeaway

This biography offers a nuanced portrait of Lady Sydney Redesdale, moving beyond simplistic judgments to explore how her own experiences and the norms of her era shaped her controversial political views and relationships with her famous, eccentric children.