Diana Rigg: Cause of Death, Net Worth, and Iconic Roles

When Diana Rigg walked onto a set, you couldn’t look away. Whether she was delivering a Shakespearean soliloquy or a withering one-liner as Olenna Tyrell, she commanded every scene with a rare blend of wit and steel.

Born: 20 July 1938 ·
Died: 10 September 2020 ·
Age at Death: 82 ·
Known For: The Avengers, James Bond, Game of Thrones ·
Net Worth (Estimated): $10 million

What caused the death of Diana Rigg?

Diana Rigg died of lung cancer on 10 September 2020 at her daughter’s home in London, as confirmed by The Guardian obituary. She had been diagnosed in March 2020, just six months before her death, according to Wikipedia biography.

The Cancer Diagnosis

• Diagnosis date: March 2020
• Rigg chose to keep her condition private, telling only close family
• Her daughter Rachael Stirling stated that Rigg spent her final months at home

AFP news agency reported that Rigg’s daughter said her mother “spent her last months joyfully” after the diagnosis, surrounded by family.

Smoking History

• BBC reported Rigg was a 20-a-day smoker (BBC News profile)
• She had undergone heart surgery in 2017 and her heart stopped during the operation
• BBC described her as “seriously ill” after that surgery

The implication: Rigg’s long-term smoking habit was a known health risk long before the cancer diagnosis.

Final Days

Rigg spent her final months at her daughter’s home in London. The Guardian obituary reported that she died peacefully in the morning, surrounded by family. Her daughter Rachael Stirling later described those months as “intimate and beautiful.”

Who did Diana Rigg leave her money to?

The Times probate report stated that Rigg left a £3.3 million estate, with the bulk — approximately £3 million — going to her daughter, actress Rachael Stirling.

Beneficiaries of the Will

• Primary beneficiary: daughter Rachael Stirling (born 1977)
• Also named: grandson Jack
• The Times probate report also reported a £5,000 bequest to a local beautician

Express news report noted that the estate included international properties and that the beautician initially tried to turn down the bequest.

Charitable Bequests

While her will primarily benefited family, Rigg was known to support arts organizations during her lifetime, including the Royal Shakespeare Company where she began her career.

The pattern: Rigg’s estate planning focused on her immediate family, with one small personal gesture to someone in her local community.

Did Diana Rigg like Patrick Macnee?

Yes — and their friendship was one of the most enduring of her life. Rigg and Macnee played the iconic duo Emma Peel and John Steed in The Avengers from 1965 to 1968.

On-Screen Chemistry

• Their partnership defined the series for three seasons
• The show was a global hit, cementing both actors as household names

BBC News profile described the duo as having “breezy chemistry” that made the show a cultural phenomenon.

Off-Screen Relationship

Rigg spoke warmly of Macnee in interviews throughout her life. BBC News profile reported that she described him as “adorable” and that they remained close friends until Macnee’s death in 2015. Their friendship outlasted the show by nearly five decades.

How much was Diana Rigg worth when she died?

Estimates place Diana Rigg’s net worth at approximately $10 million at the time of her death, though figures vary. The Times probate report reported her estate value as £3.3 million for probate purposes.

Here is how the reported figures break down:

Sources of Wealth

• Long-running role on The Avengers (1965–1968)
• James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
• Game of Thrones role as Olenna Tyrell (2013–2017)
• Decades of stage work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre

BBC News obituary noted that these three roles alone spanned five decades and multiple generations of fans.

The trade-off: Rigg’s net worth is unusually modest for an actress of her stature — a reflection of her prioritising stage work, which is less lucrative than film and television, over purely commercial roles.

What is Diana Rigg best known for?

Diana Rigg’s career spanned six decades, but three roles defined her place in popular culture.

The Avengers (Emma Peel)

• Played Emma Peel from 1965 to 1968
• The role made her a style icon and feminist symbol
• BBC News obituary called her “the epitome of 1960s cool”

Rigg’s Emma Peel was groundbreaking — a woman who could outsmart and outfight any villain while wearing a catsuit, all delivered with sharp intelligence.

James Bond (Teresa di Vicenzo)

• Played Tracy Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
• The only woman Bond marries in the film series

BBC News obituary noted that her character’s fate — killed on her wedding day — remains one of the most memorable moments in Bond history.

Game of Thrones (Olenna Tyrell)

• Played Olenna Tyrell from 2013 to 2017
• Her character was known for sharp wit and political cunning
• USA Today tribute described her as a “fan favourite”

Rigg brought a new generation of fans to her work. Her final scene — confessing to poisoning King Joffrey with the line “Tell Cersei it was me” — became an instant classic.

Diana Rigg: A timeline of her life

• 20 July 1938: Born in Doncaster, England
• 1957: Professional stage debut
• 1965–1968: Played Emma Peel in The Avengers
• 1969: Played Tracy Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
• 1973: Married to Menelaus (divorced 1976)
• 1982: Married to Archibald (separated 2008)
• 2013–2017: Played Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones
• March 2020: Diagnosed with lung cancer
• 10 September 2020: Died at home in London

What this means: Rigg’s career arc spanned the golden age of British television through to the streaming era, making her one of the few actors to achieve iconic status across three different decades and media generations.

For a deeper look into her life and career, see this detailed account of Diana Riggs death and legacy.

Frequently asked questions

For the millions of fans who grew up with Emma Peel or discovered her through Olenna Tyrell, Rigg’s legacy is straightforward: she was never just a supporting character, even when she played one. She brought an unmistakable authority to every role, a quality that has only grown rarer since her passing.