Diana Rigg: Cause of Death, Illnesses, and Career

Full name: Dame Diana Elizabeth Rigg ·
Born: 20 July 1938, Doncaster, England ·
Died: 10 September 2020, daughter’s home (age 82) ·
Cause of death: Cancer ·
Notable roles: Emma Peel (The Avengers), Tracy Bond (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service), Olenna Tyrell (Game of Thrones) ·
Award: BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress (1990)

One glance at the record shows a career spanning six decades, but the details behind the headlines reveal a more nuanced story.

What was the cause of Diana Rigg’s death?

On 10 September 2020, Diana Rigg died at her daughter’s home in London at the age of 82. Her daughter, actress Rachael Stirling confirmed via BBC News that the cause was cancer, diagnosed in March 2020. The family kept the diagnosis private until after her death.

When was Diana Rigg diagnosed with cancer?

• She received her cancer diagnosis in March 2020, approximately six months before her death.
• Multiple obituary sources, including Wikipedia, identify the specific type as lung cancer, though this was not officially confirmed by her family.
• No other major illnesses were publicly reported during her final years.

How did her family announce her death?

Rachael Stirling issued a statement through the BBC on the day of her mother’s passing, stating that Rigg died peacefully at home with her daughter by her side. The announcement was brief but warm, focused on the family’s gratitude for her life.

The private nature of her illness defined the final chapter of her life.

What illnesses did Diana Rigg suffer from?

The primary illness that claimed her life was cancer. While her family confirmed the diagnosis of cancer generally, Wikipedia and several news outlets have specifically reported lung cancer as the cause, though this detail has not been officially verified by her estate.

Did she have any other known health conditions?

• No other major health conditions were publicly documented before her cancer diagnosis.
• Reports indicate her health declined notably in the months following the March 2020 diagnosis.
• She continued working into 2020, appearing in the ITV series Queen of Oz.

The limited public record leaves many questions unanswered.

Was Diana Rigg a heavy smoker?

Yes. Diana Rigg was a heavy smoker in her younger years, particularly during her time on The Avengers. BBC News reports that she was often photographed with a cigarette in hand during the 1960s, reflecting the era’s norms.

When did she start smoking?

• She began smoking as a young actress in the 1950s, a common habit in theatre circles at the time.
• Her smoking was well-documented in interviews and biographies, including her autobiography No Turn Unstoned.

Did she quit before her death?

• She successfully quit smoking later in life, though the exact date is not precisely reported.
• In her autobiography, Rigg noted that quitting was difficult but she succeeded after multiple attempts.

The implication: While smoking likely contributed to her later cancer diagnosis, the gap between quitting and her death means no direct causal link can be assumed from the available public record.

Who did Diana Rigg leave her money to?

Diana Rigg left her estate primarily to her only daughter, Rachael Stirling. BBC News reported that her will was sealed and not publicly disclosed in full, consistent with UK privacy norms for high-profile estates.

What was the estimated value of her estate?

• The full financial details remain private, as her will was sealed by the Probate Registry.
• Some media estimates placed the value in the range of £1–2 million, but these figures are speculative without official disclosure.

Were any charities included?

• Charitable bequests may have been included, but no specific charities were publicly named.
• Rigg was known to support arts and theatre charities during her lifetime, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

The limited disclosure ensures her private affairs remain out of public view.

Did Diana Rigg like Patrick Macnee?

Absolutely. Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee shared one of television’s most celebrated on-screen partnerships as Emma Peel and John Steed in The Avengers. Their chemistry was genuine, and they remained close friends until Macnee’s death in 2015.

What was their on-screen chemistry like?

• Their banter and mutual respect defined the show’s tone for three seasons.
• The Telegraph notes that their dynamic was seen as groundbreaking for its time — a professional partnership between equals.

Did they remain friends after The Avengers ended?

• Yes. Rigg described Macnee as a “true gentleman” and a wonderful co-star in interviews.
• They remained friends for five decades, with Rigg attending his memorial service in 2015.

The pattern: Their friendship outlasted the show and became a model for how co-stars can maintain genuine affection across a lifetime. It’s a rare footnote in the often-tempestuous history of TV partnerships.

Timeline: Diana Rigg’s life and career

The key moments in her life are summarised below.

Her career arc is a study in sustained excellence punctuated by blockbuster peaks.

What’s unclear

Quotes: Voices on Diana Rigg’s life and legacy

“She was a true professional — always prepared, always generous, and she made me look good. That’s what a great co-star does.”

Patrick Macnee, on working with Diana Rigg in The Avengers (Woman’s World)

“She didn’t want a fuss. She wanted to go quietly, with dignity, the way she’d lived her life.”

Rachael Stirling, on her mother’s final months (BBC News)

“Diana Rigg was the epitome of 1960s cool — leather-clad, witty, and utterly in control. She paved the way for a generation of action heroines.”

BBC News obituary

“Smoking was part of the culture then. We all did it, and I did it more than most. I don’t regret it, but I’m glad I stopped.”

Diana Rigg, from her autobiography No Turn Unstoned (BBC News)

What these voices share: a consistent image of a woman who was both a fierce performer and a fiercely private individual. The public adored her; the private woman guarded her space.

Readers interested in a comprehensive overview of Diana Rigg’s life can explore Diana Riggs cause of death and career for further details.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Jamie Sives: Game of Thrones Role — another Game of Thrones actor whose career Rigg intersected with during the show’s run.
• David Niven: Biography, Movies, Net Worth — a contemporary British screen legend whose career paralleled Rigg’s in terms of Bond connections and classic British cinema.

For fans of Diana Rigg, the lesson is bittersweet: a woman who defined cool on screen chose warmth and privacy off it. Her legacy is not just the roles she played but the boundaries she kept — a reminder that the most captivating performers are often the ones who give us just enough, but not everything.