In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves through the publishing world, Adrienne Vaughan, the President of Bloomsbury USA, lost her life in a devastating boating accident off the Amalfi coast. The tragedy occurred during a family getaway, leaving her husband injured and her two children traumatized.
Vaughan was accompanied by her husband Mike White, their 14-year-old daughter Leanna, and 11-year-old son Mason on a leisurely family vacation. Their peaceful excursion took a tragic turn when their speedboat collided with a wedding ship carrying 85 people, resulting in the untimely demise of Vaughan and causing injuries to her husband and shock to her children.
The fatal accident occurred when their speedboat collided with the 130ft Tortuga ship, carrying both American and German tourists, in the Fiordo di Furore. Eyewitnesses reported that Vaughan was thrown into the water due to the impact and was struck by the speedboat’s propellers. Despite the efforts of her family and the swift arrival of emergency services, Vaughan succumbed to her injuries. Her husband suffered severe limb injuries and underwent surgery on his left shoulder, while the children, though physically unharmed, were deeply affected by the traumatic event.
The skipper of the speedboat, who sustained injuries and was vomiting at the scene, was later found to have failed toxicology tests, raising concerns about their fitness to operate the vessel. The driver of the wedding ship, however, passed a toxicology test.
Adrienne Vaughan was a prominent figure in the publishing industry. Holding an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business, she had a remarkable career that included executive roles at Bloomsbury Publishing House, Disney, and Oxford University Press. In 2021, she assumed the position of President of Bloomsbury USA, where she oversaw projects of immense significance, such as the Harry Potter series. Her colleagues remember her as a charismatic leader who was always willing to lend a helping hand.
As the Amalfi Port Authority launches an investigation into the tragic incident, the publishing community mourns the loss of Adrienne Vaughan. Her legacy as a dedicated and visionary professional will undoubtedly live on in the literary world.
