Who is Beatrice O'Brien from Thunderstruck and what is their importance?

Beatrice O'Brien meets Marconi after his engagement to Josephine Bowen Holman is broken off. She is eleven years younger than Marconi and refuses his initial proposal before agreeing to the marriage, which takes place in London in 1905. Beatrice is taken aback by Marconi's jealousy and controlling behavior, and she is often left alone while he travels for work. In 1923 the marriage ends in divorce.