the eldest of three children born in new york city, to a wealthy anglo-irish landowning family (49,968 acres). anita theodosia moira leslie, alongside her brothers (sir john leslie, 4th baronet and desmond leslie) were born to sir john randolph leslie, 3rd baronet (a.k.a. shane leslie) and his wife, majorie ide, the vermont-born daughter of general henry clay ide the us ambassador to spain.