Diana Rigg – Cause of death, career and family

Dame Diana Rigg, one of Britain’s most admired and versatile actresses, died on September 10, 2020, at the age of 82. Her death, caused by lung cancer, marked the end of a career that spanned more than five decades across theatre, film, and television. From the leather-clad Emma Peel in The Avengers to the sharp-tongued Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, she left behind a body of work that defined generations of popular culture.

Born Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg, she was as comfortable on the stages of the Royal Shakespeare Company as she was in a James Bond film. She is the only actress to have married James Bond on screen, and later, she became a beloved figure to millions through her role in the HBO fantasy epic. Her passing prompted tributes from across the entertainment world and from fans who had watched her for decades.

Rigg’s legacy is not just in the characters she played, but in the way she played them. She brought intelligence, wit, and a steeliness that became her trademark. As a dame and a multiple award winner, her influence on British acting endures.

How did Diana Rigg die and what was her cause of death?

• Dame Diana Rigg was one of the most versatile British actresses of her generation, spanning theatre, film, and television for over five decades.
• Her death in 2020 from cancer ended a career that included iconic roles in The Avengers, James Bond, and Game of Thrones.
• She was married to Archibald Stirling and had one daughter, Rachael Stirling, who also became an actress.
• Despite her fame, she maintained a relatively private personal life.

Diana Rigg died peacefully in her sleep on September 10, 2020, at her daughter Rachael Stirling’s home in London. Her daughter confirmed the news, stating: “My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family… She died of cancer diagnosed in March, and spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life.” According to reports from NPR and other sources, she had been diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2020. She was 82 years old.

What were Diana Rigg’s most famous movies and TV shows?

Television: Emma Peel and Olenna Tyrell

Rigg’s most iconic television role remains Emma Peel in The Avengers (1965–1968), the 1960s spy series that made her a household name. The character, a leather-clad, karate-chopping secret agent, redefined the female action hero. Later, a new generation came to know her as Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns, in Game of Thrones (2013–2017). Her performance earned her four Emmy nominations and widespread praise for her portrayal of the sharp-witted matriarch.

Film: The James Bond Connection

In 1969, Rigg played Tracy di Vicenzo (Countess Teresa) in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. She remains the only woman to have married James Bond in the film series. Other notable film roles include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968), Theatre of Blood (1973), and Evil Under the Sun (1982). She also played Lady Holiday in The Great Muppet Caper (1981).

Stage and Acclaim

Rigg was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1959. She won the 1994 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her title role in Medea on Broadway. Major stage roles also included Macbeth, Mother Courage, and Jumpers at the National Theatre.

Who was Diana Rigg’s daughter and what was her family life?

Diana Rigg had one child, Rachael Stirling, who followed her mother into acting. Rachael is known for roles in The Bletchley Circle, Doctor Who (the episode “The Crimson Horror” in 2013, which also starred her mother), and Detectorists. Rigg was married twice: first to Sexton Mason (1962–1966), a theatre director, and later to Archibald Stirling (1982–1990), a Scottish architect, from whom she was divorced. She died at her daughter’s home in London.

Net worth figures for Diana Rigg vary widely online, and an exact amount has not been verified by official sources. Estimates from various platforms suggest a figure between $5 and $10 million at the time of her death.

How old was Diana Rigg and what were her physical attributes?

Diana Rigg was born on July 20, 1938, in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England. She was 82 years old at the time of her death in 2020. Regarding her height, multiple sources list Diana Rigg as 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall. Her striking physical presence was part of her on-screen appeal, particularly in roles like Emma Peel.

What was Diana Rigg’s early life and how did she start her career?

Childhood in India and England

Her father was a government railway supervisor. She spent her early childhood in India, but returned to Yorkshire at the age of eight. After leaving school in 1955, she trained as an actress at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

First Steps on Stage

She began her professional career on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1959. Her first film role was as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968). Television work followed, leading to the casting that would change her life: Emma Peel in The Avengers.

Diana Rigg Life Timeline

1. 1938: Born in Doncaster, England.
2. 1957: Began acting career at RADA.
3. 1965: Cast as Emma Peel in The Avengers (1965–1968).
4. 1969: Played Tracy Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
5. 1982: Married Archibald Stirling.
6. 1971: Born daughter Rachael Stirling.
7. 1990: Divorced Archibald Stirling.
8. 1994: Won Tony Award for Medea.
9. 2013: Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).
10. 2013: Played Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones (2013–2017).
11. 2020: Died of lung cancer at home in London.

Clarifying Common Questions About Diana Rigg’s Death and Life

Impact and Legacy

Diana Rigg’s career spanned a transformative era in British television and film. Her role as Emma Peel in The Avengers redefined female action heroes in the 1960s, while her later turn as the sharp-tongued Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones won a new generation of fans. She was equally acclaimed on stage, winning a Tony Award for ‘Medea’ in 1994. Her legacy includes breaking barriers for women in action roles and mentoring younger actors.

Sources and Quotes

“I think you have to be a bit of a masochist to be an actress. You’re always being judged.”

Diana Rigg, interview with The Guardian (2011)

“She was a wonderful actress and a wonderful person. We will miss her greatly.”

Statement from family, 2020

“Diana Rigg was the most beautiful woman in the world, and the most talented.”

Patrick Macnee, co-star in The Avengers

Ongoing Relevance: What Comes Next for Fans?

Posthumously, Diana Rigg’s work continues to be celebrated through streaming releases of The Avengers and Game of Thrones. Her autobiography, ‘No Turn Unstoned’, and other writings remain popular. Fans can explore her filmography on platforms like BritBox and HBO Max.

For more on her contemporaries, see our profile on Best British Actresses of All Time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diana Rigg