Dazzling Carmen Launches Book (Press, 17 September 1988)

On 17 September 1988, Carmen, formerly known as Trevor Rupe, celebrated the launch of her candid biography titled "Carmen: My Life from Schoolboy to Successful Businesswoman" at the Sir Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington. Arriving in style in a silver Rolls Royce, she was accompanied by her long-time friend, David Hartnell, and received warm welcomes from family members, including her sister and nieces. The event drew a diverse crowd of approximately 200 attendees, comprising notable figures from various sectors, including media personalities like Mike Bungay, lan Athfield, and Brian Edwards, as well as members of Wellington's nightlife community and those connected to the city's red light district. The evening featured speeches from several individuals. The children of Carmen's coauthor, Paul Martin, expressed wishes for the book’s success, followed by a blunt commentary from Bob Jones, who had served as her "philosophy adviser" during a 1977 mayoral campaign. He lamented the election of Sir Michael Fowler over Carmen, suggesting that it wasn't too late for her to pursue a political career once again, proposing a light-hearted rivalry between her and current political figures. Sir Michael Fowler also spoke, acknowledging Carmen's unique methods during her campaigning, specifically her tactic of avoiding questions by being swiftly escorted away at public meetings. In a heartfelt moment, Carmen, adorned with gilded reading glasses, expressed her initial concerns about attendance at the event. She considered herself a public figure and reflected on the mutual relationships formed throughout her career, stating that everyone involved had, in some way, used each other positively. Towards the end of the launch, Carmen expressed gratitude to attendees and mentioned her plans to return to Wellington from her residence in Sydney to embrace a quieter life focused on charity work. The launch not only highlighted Carmen's achievements but also the colourful tapestry of social interactions and relationships throughout her career in business and public life.

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