Recently, talk has surfaced that Lara has also recovered the ancient Ark of the Covenant, the Old Testament vessel of the power of God. She has been tight-lipped about the find, as well as another rumored expedition that took her to the remnants of the lost continent of Atlantis. Reportedly, the money earned from her recent jaunts into parts unkown has totalled more than $26 million. Lara has expanded her operations to include offices in London, New York, Hong Kong and New Delhi.

I recently caught up with Lara at her sprawling English country home. The 60-room mansion is filled with artifacts from all over the world. The ballroom has been converted by Lara into a training room that rivals the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics center. The upstairs music room sports a $150,000 Bosendorfer piano (a hobby of Lara's) and an extensive library devoted to ancient history, anthropology and mythology. That's where we met.

Esquire: Lara, thank you so much for taking time to chat.

Lara: Not at all! I'm just glad I had a free day.

Esquire: Our readers would be suprised to know that you play the piano, Lara. Are you a music lover?

Lara: (laughs) I adore music, but I'm afraid my skills at the piano leave a bit to be desired. I do enjoy listening to a bit of Brahms and Elgar, and also jazz, especially Bill Evans. Of course, I'm a huge fan of Elton John.

Esquire: Lara, let me get to the point. You've become a celebrity in recent months. How has your life changed as a result?

Lara: Oh my, there have been loads of changes. I have paparazzi following me around when I go to London. They even try to sneak onto the grounds here. Of course that stopped after they met Boris and Karl, my two Rottweilers. The thing that really concerns me now is when reporters try to follow me on expeditions. I go to some places that are far too dangerous for amateurs. I know these newspeople have been to Bosnia and all, but they are dilettantes compared to some of the situations I've dealt with.

Esquire: Which brings up another point. You've been to some places where others fear to tread. It's commonly known that you travel armed. Have you ever had to shoot anyone?

Lara: I don't like answering that question. People shouldn't die for the things I search for. But, yes, I have on occasion been forced to defend myself. It's not something I boast about, but there it is isn't it? I intend to come out alive. I don't cheat anyone in this business, and don't let it happen to me.

Esquire: It almost happened to you on your most recent trip. It has been reported that you went up against higher-ups in the Natla corporation. There was supposedly an ancient artifact invlolved called a Scion. And you killed a number of strange animals and a few people in the process.

Lara: The late Jaqueline Natla hired me to recover the artifact. I traveled to Peru, the Middle East, and a few other places. I eventually discovered a plot to kill me and take the Scion. I did what I had to do. At the end of the day I lost the Scion anyway.

Esquire: In a violent volcanic eruption that sent clouds of dust halfway around the world. And resulted in the death of Natla and several others. There were also rumors of extraterretrial aliens and CIA involvment.

Lara: I wouldn't put much stock in that. Aliens? I saw none. CIA? They did ask me a few questions about Natla, and that was it. I am writing a book on it as we speak.

Esquire: Your other recent find is the Lost Ark of the Covenant. In fact, it's sitting downstairs in your front room. What's the story on that?

Lara: The government of Israel asked that I not reveal any details of that search. We are now negotiating the Ark's disposition.

Esquire: Do you mean that you "own" the Ark?

Lara: The laws of the country where I recovered the Ark state that the finder is the nominal owner of any historical artifact not of local origin.

Esquire: Then you didn't find the Ark in Israel?

Lara: No. But I can't say where.

Esquire: So what's going to happen to it?

Lara: We're looking at permanently loaning the Ark to Israel, seeing as how it has great significance to the Hebrew people.

Esquire: Wow. So what's next for Lara Croft?

Lara: I'm really excited about our new project. The Croft Foundation was set up to provide funding for archaeological projects all over the world. We've also allied with several important universities and research institutions to provide grants to deserving students. We even have a brand new website.

Esquire: Lara Croft the educator? Is that your future?

Lara: Hardly. I still have too much a taste for adventure for that. But I think it's important for humanity to learn about its distant past. It will give us all a new respect for ourselves.

Esquire: So tell me, is there a man in your life?

Lara: (laughs) With my schedule? I would eventually like to be with someone, but not now. There's just too much going on. I get dozens of proposals a day in the mail!

Esquire: How nice for you! You don't speak much about your family, but it is known that you're estranged from your father, a member of the House of Lords. Is that a sore spot?

Lara: Yes it is. I'd rather not discuss it if you don't mind.

Esquire: Okay. Then tell me: where are you off to next?

Lara: It's not confirmed yet, but I may be heading to Tibet to do some research.

Esquire: Well let me be the first to wish you a safe journey, Lara.

Lara: Thanks. I'll probably need that.

© Esquire Magazine 1997