Princess Diana
On July 29, 1981, Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles at St. Paul's Cathedral before an estimated 750 million television viewers worldwide. The 'fairytale wedding' made her the most famous and photographed woman of her generation.
The People's Princess
Diana Frances Spencer married Prince Charles in 1981 in a globally televised ceremony. Her warmth and accessibility quickly made her the most beloved member of the royal family.
Humanitarian Work
Diana used her fame to champion causes others avoided, from AIDS awareness to a high-profile campaign against landmines. Her hands-on compassion redefined royal charity work.
A Tragic End
After her 1996 divorce from Charles, Diana remained a global icon. She died at 36 in an August 1997 Paris car crash, and her funeral was watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide.
Career Timeline
- 1981Marries Prince Charles at St. Paul's Cathedral
- 1982Gives birth to Prince William
- 1984Gives birth to Prince Harry
- 1987Shakes hands with an AIDS patient, fighting stigma
- 1992Separation from Prince Charles announced
- 1995Gives a candid BBC 'Panorama' interview
- 1996Divorce from Prince Charles is finalized
- 1997Campaigns against landmines in Angola and Bosnia
- 1997Dies in a Paris car crash on August 31
- 1997Funeral watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people
Biggest Hits
- In 1987 Diana shook hands with an AIDS patient without gloves, a simple act that helped shatter myths about the disease.
- Her 1997 funeral drew a British TV audience peaking at 32 million and a global audience estimated at 2.5 billion.
Portrait: John Mathew Smith (www.celebrity-photos.com) · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons