Susan Hampshire is a British actress who became a household name through landmark television dramas such as The Forsyte Saga and The Pallisers. Born in 1937, she built a career defined by period adaptations and earned three Primetime Emmy Awards, a rare achievement for a British performer in the US television landscape. Her work has also been recognized with an OBE and a CBE for services to dyslexic people, drama, and charity.
Hampshire began acting as a child, appearing in the 1947 film The Woman in the Hall. She moved into theatre and then television, where her career flourished. Her breakthrough came in the 1960s with prestige BBC dramas that made her internationally recognized. Later in life, she stepped away from acting for a period to care for her husband, but returned to the screen in the 2020s.
Who Is Susan Hampshire? Biography & Early Life
Known For
The Forsyte Saga, Emmys
Awards
3x Emmy Winner
Born
12 May 1937
Status
Retired, occasional appearances
Key Insights
- Susan Hampshire is one of the few British actresses to win three Primetime Emmy Awards.
- Her return to television in the 2020s adaptation of The Forsyte Saga surprised many fans.
- She stepped away from acting for years to care for her husband, Sir Eddie Kulukundis.
- She published a memoir, Susan’s Story (1981), about her struggles with dyslexia.
- She was appointed OBE in 1995 and CBE in 2018.
- Her career was built mainly through BBC and other prestige television dramas.
Susan Hampshire at a Glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Hampshire, Lady Kulukundis |
| Date of Birth | 12 May 1937 |
| Age (2025) | 88 years old |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1957–present |
| Known For | The Forsyte Saga, The Pallisers |
| Awards | 3 Primetime Emmy Awards |
| Spouse | Sir Eddie Kulukundis (m. 1981) |
What Is Susan Hampshire Known For? Emmy-Winning Career & Filmography
Susan Hampshire is best known for her roles in prestige television dramas. Her most famous work includes The Forsyte Saga (1967), The First Churchills (1969), Vanity Fair (1972), and The Pallisers (1974). She also starred in the long-running BBC series Monarch of the Glen later in her career.
Her US recognition was driven by Emmy-winning performances in period adaptations. She won three Primetime Emmy Awards between 1970 and 1972, a feat that remains notable for a British actress working primarily in UK television. According to Wikipedia, her Emmy wins were for The First Churchills and Vanity Fair.
How Many Emmys Has Susan Hampshire Won?
She won three Primetime Emmy Awards. This is confirmed by IMDb and other industry records. Her Emmy wins are a central part of her legacy, as few British actresses have achieved this level of recognition from the US television academy.
Was Susan Hampshire in The Forsyte Saga?
Yes. She starred in the original 1967 BBC adaptation of The Forsyte Saga, which brought her international fame. Decades later, she returned to television in a new adaptation of the same story in the 2020s, a move that surprised and delighted fans.
Susan Hampshire’s three Primetime Emmy Awards place her among the most decorated British actresses in US television history. Her wins came during a period when British period dramas were gaining significant international audiences.
Who Is Susan Hampshire’s Husband? Family & Personal Life
Susan Hampshire has been married twice. Her first husband was French director Pierre Granier-Deferre. They had two children together: a daughter named Victoria and a son named Christopher Granier-Deferre. That marriage ended in divorce.
In 1981, she married theatrical impresario Sir Eddie Kulukundis. According to IMDb, the marriage ended with his death in 2021. She has one daughter, Victoria, who is sometimes the subject of public curiosity.
Does Susan Hampshire Have Children?
Yes. She has two children: Victoria and Christopher Granier-Deferre. Victoria is her daughter from her first marriage.
What Is Susan Hampshire’s Net Worth?
None of the available sources provide a reliable figure for Susan Hampshire’s net worth. Rotten Tomatoes, TV Guide, and other databases list her credits but do not include financial data. Any net worth figure found online would be an estimate and should be treated with caution.
No reliable source provides a confirmed net worth for Susan Hampshire. Public estimates vary widely and should not be treated as fact.
What Does Susan Hampshire Look Like Now? Current Life in 2025
Susan Hampshire turned 88 on 12 May 2025. She was featured in The Oldie magazine in 2025, where writer Gyles Brandreth described her as still active and engaged. Recent photographs, available through Getty Images, show her in good spirits.
Is Susan Hampshire Still Acting?
She returned to television in the 2020s for a new adaptation of The Forsyte Saga. As of 2025, no confirmed upcoming projects have been announced. She continues to be celebrated as a classic television icon.
What Is Susan Hampshire Doing Now?
Based on available information, she is enjoying retirement with occasional public appearances. She was the subject of a feature in The Oldie magazine in 2025, which highlighted her continued vitality. No recent interviews or public statements beyond that have been widely reported.
Timeline of Major Life Events
- 1937: Born in Kensington, London, England.
- 1957: Began her professional acting career.
- 1967: Starred in The Forsyte Saga, gaining international fame.
- 1970–1972: Won three Primetime Emmy Awards.
- 1981: Married Sir Eddie Kulukundis.
- 2020s: Returned to television in a new adaptation of The Forsyte Saga.
- 2025: Celebrated her 88th birthday; featured in The Oldie magazine.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth (12 May 1937) | Exact current net worth |
| Emmy wins (3) | Current daily appearance (use most recent Getty images as reference) |
| Spouse (Sir Eddie Kulukundis) | Health status (respectful, no speculation unless sourced) |
| Notable role in The Forsyte Saga | No confirmed public controversies |
Career Analysis & Cultural Impact
Susan Hampshire’s Emmy wins are notable for a British actress in the US television landscape. Her return to acting after a long hiatus highlights a trend of veteran actors returning to the screen. Her personal life, including stepping away from her career to care for her husband, reflects common career breaks for women in the industry.
Her work in period adaptations helped define the genre for British television in the 1960s and 1970s. She remains a respected figure in the industry, with honors from both the UK and US recognizing her contributions.
Sources & Quotes
“She enters her 90th year on 12th May. She is still only 88…”
— Gyles Brandreth, The Oldie (2025)
“The actress has returned to television in a new adaptation of The Forsyte Saga…”
— Classic TV Moments / Facebook
Summary: What Is Susan Hampshire’s Legacy?
Susan Hampshire is a three-time Emmy-winning British actress best known for The Forsyte Saga and The Pallisers. Born in 1937, she built a career on prestige television dramas and remains a celebrated figure in the industry. She returned to acting in the 2020s and continues to be recognized for her contributions to drama and charity. For readers interested in similar profiles, see the biography of Andrea Riseborough – Biography, Movies, Awards and Personal Life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Susan Hampshire still married?
Yes, she has been married to Sir Eddie Kulukundis since 1981. The marriage ended with his death in 2021.
Was Susan Hampshire in Harry Potter?
No, she has not appeared in the Harry Potter films.
How many Emmys did Susan Hampshire win?
She won three Primetime Emmy Awards.
What is Susan Hampshire’s most famous TV show?
She is best known for The Forsyte Saga (1967) and The Pallisers.
Does Susan Hampshire have children?
Yes, she has two children: Victoria and Christopher Granier-Deferre.
How old is Susan Hampshire in 2025?
She is 88 years old, born on 12 May 1937.
What is Susan Hampshire doing now?
She is retired with occasional public appearances. She was featured in The Oldie magazine in 2025.
Did Susan Hampshire win an OBE?
Yes, she was appointed OBE in 1995 and later CBE in 2018.
Who is Susan Hampshire’s daughter?
Her daughter is Victoria Granier-Deferre, from her first marriage to Pierre Granier-Deferre.
Is Susan Hampshire still acting?
She returned to television in the 2020s for a new adaptation of The Forsyte Saga. No upcoming projects have been confirmed as of 2025.
Madeleine Shaw is Politics & Public Affairs Editor at NewsPrism.co.uk, covering Parliament, government policy, elections and public spending.