Rixi Markus

Rixi Markus was born as Erika Scharfstein on 27th June 1910 into a prosperous Jewish family in Gura Humora, Romania but moved to Austria where she first made her name at the bridge table. In 1938 she fled Austria and made her home in London where she remained for the rest of her life.

Generally recognized as the top European lady player to date and a great personality, Rixi was the first woman to become a WBF Grand Master and was the leading woman in the WBF master point rankings from their inception in 1974 until 1980.

Rixi was named International Bridge Press Association Personality of the Year in 1974 and was awarded the MBE for contributions to bridge a year later by Queen Elizabeth. For many years she organized a match between the two Houses of the British parliament.