Known for movies

Short Info

DiedMay 21, 2000, Hatfield, United Kingdom
SpouseHugh McCorquodale, Alexander McCorquodale
MarkPink dresses and plumed hats
FactIn the early 1960's, she campaigned for the rights of gypsies' to have a permanent place to live which resulted in an act of Parliament. One of the first gypsy camps was opened by her in 1964 and called Barbaraville and there are now 14 in Hertfordshire. This has meant thousands of gypsies and their families have a place to call home and their children can be educated in their local area.


Barbara Cartland was born on July 9, 1901, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. Her parents were Edward and Mary (née Bowes-Lyon) Cartland. She had two older sisters, Dorothy and Nancy. Cartland was educated at home by governesses until the age of 16. She then attended finishing schools in Paris and London.

Cartland began her writing career in 1923, when she sold her first short story to a magazine. She went on to write more than 700 novels, including romances, historical novels, and detective stories. Many of her novels were bestsellers, and she became one of the world’s most prolific authors.

Cartland’s personal life was as colorful as her novels. She was married three times and had numerous affairs. She was also a close friend of the British royal family, and was rumored to be the mistress of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Cartland died on May 21, 2000, at the age of 98. At the time of her death, she was the world’s oldest working author.

Early Life

Barbara Cartland was born on July 9, 1901, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. Her parents were Edward and Mary (née Bowes-Lyon) Cartland. She had two older sisters, Dorothy and Nancy.

Cartland’s father was a major in the Royal Horse Guards. He died of pneumonia in 1910, when Barbara was nine years old. Her mother died of cancer in 1921.

Cartland was educated at home by governesses until the age of 16. She then attended finishing schools in Paris and London.

Career

Cartland began her writing career in 1923, when she sold her first short story to a magazine. She went on to write more than 700 novels, including romances, historical novels, and detective stories. Many of her novels were bestsellers, and she became one of the world’s most prolific authors.

Cartland’s personal life was as colorful as her novels. She was married three times and had numerous affairs. She was also a close friend of the British royal family, and was rumored to be the mistress of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Cartland died on May 21, 2000, at the age of 98. At the time of her death, she was the world’s oldest working author.

General Info

Full NameBarbara Cartland
DiedMay 21, 2000, Hatfield, United Kingdom
ProfessionAuthor, Politician
EducationMalvern St James
NationalityBritish

Family

SpouseHugh McCorquodale, Alexander McCorquodale
ChildrenRaine Spencer, Countess Spencer, Ian McCorquodale, Glen McCorquodale
ParentsBertram Cartland, Mary Hamilton Cartland
SiblingsRonald Cartland

Accomplishments

MoviesThe Lady and the Highwayman, A Hazard of Hearts

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Pink dresses and plumed hats

Quotes

#Quote
1"Personally I want to be loved, adored, worshipped, cosseted and protected. Judging by the romantic boom, this is what women all over the world want too." (in 1977)
2"I say a prayer. I really do. I say, 'Please God, get me a plot.' It's absolutely extraordinary: then the plot comes." (when asked where her ideas for books come from.)
3I always use boot polish on my eyelashes, because I am very emotional person and it doesn't run when I cry.

Facts

#Fact
1In January 1988, she was awarded "La Medaille De Vermeil De La Ville De Paris", (The Gold Medal of Paris). This is the highest award to be given by the City of Paris for the achievement of 25 million books sold in France.
2In 1964, she founded the National Association for Health in the United Kingdom, of which she was President, as a front for all the Health Stores and for any product made as alternative medicine. This health industry now enjoys a huge turnover each year, with one third going in export.
3In 1931, she and two Royal Air Force Officers devised and created the first airplane-towed glider airmail. In 1984, she received the Bishop Wright Air industry Award at Kennedy Airport in Queens, New York for her contribution to the development of aviation.
4In 1978, she sang an Album of Love Songs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
5She wrote a number of biographies of famous characters from history, including the biography of her brother, Ronald Cartland, who was the first Member of Parliament to be killed in the Second World War. This book has a preface by Sir Winston Churchill.
6She was an activist in fighting for better conditions and salaries for midwives and nurses. Through this cause, she was awarded Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Chairman of the St John Council in Hertfordshire and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade. Other books and recordings.
7In the early 1960's, she campaigned for the rights of gypsies' to have a permanent place to live which resulted in an act of Parliament. One of the first gypsy camps was opened by her in 1964 and called Barbaraville and there are now 14 in Hertfordshire. This has meant thousands of gypsies and their families have a place to call home and their children can be educated in their local area.
8During the Second World War from 1939 to 1945, she was Chief Lady Welfare Officer in Bedfordshire looking after 20,000 service men and women. She had the idea of gathering as many wedding dresses as she could for hire, so that service brides would have a white dress to wear on their wedding day. She bought 1,000 second hand gowns without coupons for the A.T.S., the W.A.A.F.S. and the W.R.E.N.S. In 1945, she received the Certificate of Merit from Eastern Command.
9She was the most prolific and well-loved author of her time. She sold over 1,000 million books, giving her a place in the Guinness book of Records. Her 723 novels of romance and love have been enjoyed by generations in over 36 countries.
10Died the same day as John Gielgud.
11She had two sons, Ian and Glen.
12Her daughter, Raine (9/9/1929-21/10/2016), was Princess Diana's stepmother. She was an elected member of the London County Council and later of the Greater London council.
13Her second husband was her first husband's cousin.
14She was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1991 Queen's New Year's Honours List for her services to literature.

Movies

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Duel of Hearts1991TV Movie novel
A Ghost in Monte Carlo1990TV Movie novel
The Lady and the Highwayman1989TV Movie novel
A Hazard of Hearts1987TV Movie novel
The Flame Is Love1979TV Movie novel

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Perfect Hero1999DocumentaryHerself
The South Bank Show1997TV Series documentaryHerself
Mistresses1996TV Series documentaryHerself
The Car's the Star1995TV Series documentaryHerself - Silver Cloud Owner
Jarl's1994TV SeriesHerself
Good Morning... with Anne and Nick1992TV SeriesHerself
The Media Show1991TV SeriesHerself
Wogan1991TV SeriesHerself
This Is Your Life1989TV Series documentaryHerself
Live with Kelly and Michael1989TV SeriesHerself
Where the Heart Roams1987DocumentaryHerself
Àngel Casas Show1986TV SeriesHerself
Champs-Elysées1984TV SeriesHerself
Late Night with David Letterman1983TV SeriesHerself
Friday Night, Saturday Morning1981TV SeriesHerself
Good Morning America1980TV SeriesHerself
Greenwich Village1972TV SeriesHerself
V.I.P.-Schaukel1971TV Series documentaryHerself
The Anatomy of a Pin-Up1971Documentary shortHerself
Ev1970TV SeriesHerself
The Eamonn Andrews Show1965TV SeriesHerself
This Is Your Life1958TV Series documentaryHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Wogan: The Best Of2015TV SeriesHerself
London - The Modern Babylon2012DocumentaryHerself - Queen of Romance
Maid in Britain2010TV Movie documentaryHerself

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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