Many people around the world remember Dodi Fayed because of his tragic story with Princess Diana in 1997. Their relationship made global headlines and is still talked about today. But something many people do not know is that Dodi Fayed was actually married once before he met Diana.
That woman was Susanne Gregard. She was a model in the 1980s and later became known as Dodi Fayed’s only wife. Their marriage was short, but it still makes people curious today. Many readers often ask: Who was Susanne Gregard? What happened between them? And where is she now?
In this article, we will explore the real story of Susanne Gregard. We will look at her early life, her career in modeling and acting, and the love story that brought her together with Dodi Fayed. We will also talk about their short marriage and why it ended so quickly.
Who Is Susanne Gregard?
Susanne Gregard is a former model, actress, and creative artist who became famous because she married Dodi Fayed, the son of billionaire businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed. Even though their marriage lasted only a few months, it brought her into the public eye.
During the 1980s, Susanne Gregard worked in the fashion and entertainment world. She appeared in magazines and had a few small acting roles. At the time, she was known for her elegant style and natural beauty. Many people in the fashion industry noticed her work.
However, her name became widely known after she married Dodi Fayed in 1986. Since Dodi later dated Princess Diana, many people became curious about the woman he married before Diana. Because of this connection, people still search for Susanne Gregard even many years later.
Susanne Gregard’s Early Life and Family
Before fame and media attention, Susanne Gregard lived a fairly normal life. She was born in Long Beach, California, on April 1, 1960. Her zodiac sign is Aries, which is often linked with strong and creative personalities.
Her father, Palle Gregard, worked for a European airline. Her mother, Lise Gregard, was a homemaker who focused on raising the family. Susanne also grew up with a brother named Ken. Their home life was simple and stable.
Growing up, Susanne was interested in art, beauty, and creative work. She loved nature and visual design. These interests later shaped her career in both modeling and photography. Even as a young woman, she had a strong creative side.
How Susanne Gregard Started Her Modeling Career
Like many young women interested in fashion, Susanne Gregard began modeling in the early 1980s. At the time, the fashion world was full of new opportunities, especially for fresh faces.
She quickly started getting modeling work. Her natural look and calm personality helped her stand out. Soon, she began appearing in popular magazines and fashion projects.
Some reports say she moved around to find better career opportunities. Modeling opened many doors for her. It also helped her meet people in the entertainment industry. This step would later connect her to acting roles and even introduce her to powerful figures like Dodi Fayed.
Susanne Gregard’s Work in Modeling and Acting
During the 1980s, Susanne Gregard built a small but noticeable career in fashion and entertainment. She appeared in several well-known magazines. These included Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s Bazaar, which were some of the biggest fashion publications at the time.
Being featured in these magazines helped her gain attention in the modeling world. It also gave her the chance to meet photographers, designers, and filmmakers.
She also tried acting for a short time. Susanne Gregard appeared in the 1985 romantic comedy film “Key Exchange.” In the movie, she played a small role called Gym Honey. She also appeared as herself on the TV show Star Search in the early 1980s.
Even though her acting career was not very long, it helped her become part of the entertainment scene. These experiences slowly built the life that would soon change when she met Dodi Fayed.
How Susanne Gregard Met Dodi Fayed
The story of Susanne Gregard and Dodi Fayed began in 1985. At the time, Susanne was 26 years old, and Dodi was 31. Their meeting quickly turned into a romantic relationship.
Dodi Fayed was known for his luxury lifestyle. As the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed, he had access to incredible wealth. When he met Susanne Gregard, he tried very hard to impress her.
According to several reports, Dodi would fly Susanne to London on the Concorde jet during weekends. The Concorde was one of the fastest and most luxurious airplanes in the world at the time. These trips showed just how serious he was about winning her heart.
At first, Susanne was not easily convinced. She even rejected his invitation to visit England for two weeks. But Dodi was determined. In a clever move, he reportedly arranged for her to work as a model at Harrods, the famous London department store owned by his father. This made it harder for her to say no.
Slowly, their relationship grew stronger. Dodi was very romantic and thoughtful, and Susanne enjoyed his playful personality. Before long, their love story moved toward something much bigger — marriage.
Susanne Gregard and Dodi Fayed’s Marriage
By the end of 1986, the relationship between Susanne Gregard and Dodi Fayed had become very serious. According to reports, Dodi proposed to her on New Year’s Eve in 1986.
Not long after, the couple got married on December 31, 1986. Their wedding ceremony was small and private, attended mainly by close friends and family members. Even though it was not a huge public event, people in high society were very interested in the marriage.
For Susanne Gregard, marrying Dodi meant entering a very different world. Dodi lived a life full of luxury, wealth, and constant attention. There were bodyguards, expensive trips, and famous friends everywhere.
At first, the relationship seemed exciting. But living inside such a wealthy and fast-moving lifestyle can be very different from a normal life. As time passed, these differences slowly began to affect their marriage.
Why Susanne Gregard and Dodi Fayed Divorced
Sadly, the marriage between Susanne Gregard and Dodi Fayed did not last long. The couple divorced in August 1987, only about eight months after their wedding.
Their divorce was described as amicable, which means it was peaceful and without major conflict. But the relationship simply could not survive the big differences between their lifestyles.
Susanne Gregard later explained that they came from very different worlds. Dodi had grown up surrounded by wealth and luxury. Everyday things that many people see as normal were completely new to him.
She once shared a simple but revealing story. One day, when she was sick, she asked Dodi to go buy some medicine and food from the grocery store. When he came back, he was smiling with excitement. He told her it was the first time in his life he had ever gone grocery shopping.
Moments like this showed how different their lives had been. These differences slowly made their relationship difficult.
Even so, Susanne Gregard has always spoken kindly about Dodi. She once said he was romantic, thoughtful, and fun to be around. She even shared a funny story about a candlelight dinner he planned, where the table collapsed and a turkey fell on the floor. Instead of being upset, they both laughed.
But sometimes love alone is not enough. And after only eight months, their marriage came to an end.
Susanne Gregard’s Memories of Dodi Fayed
Even though the marriage ended quickly, Susanne Gregard has always spoken about Dodi Fayed in a kind and respectful way. In interviews, she often described him as a man who loved romance and fun moments. She said he was thoughtful and enjoyed surprising the people he cared about.
One story she shared shows this side of him clearly. Dodi once planned a beautiful candlelight dinner for the two of them. Everything looked perfect. But suddenly the table they were sitting at collapsed, and the turkey they were about to eat fell right onto the floor. Instead of being upset, they both laughed so hard about it.
Stories like this show that their relationship also had warm and happy moments. Even after the divorce, Susanne Gregard remembered the good parts of their time together. It reminds us that sometimes a relationship can end peacefully, while still leaving behind good memories.
Dodi Fayed’s Relationship With Princess Diana
Years after his divorce from Susanne Gregard, Dodi Fayed’s life became connected to one of the most famous people in the world — Princess Diana.
Dodi and Diana began seeing each other in July 1997. At the time, Diana had already separated from Prince Charles and was one of the most loved public figures on the planet. When news of their relationship appeared in newspapers, it quickly became a global story.
The couple spent time traveling together and were often seen enjoying holidays on yachts and in famous cities. But sadly, their relationship lasted only a few months.
On August 31, 1997, Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana were involved in a tragic car crash in Paris. The accident happened inside a tunnel near the Seine River while photographers were chasing their car. Dodi and the driver died instantly, while Diana passed away later in the hospital. Their bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, survived with serious injuries.
This tragic event shocked the world. Because of the intense attention around Diana and Dodi, many people later became curious about Dodi’s past — including his short marriage to Susanne Gregard.
Susanne Gregard’s Life After the Divorce
After her divorce from Dodi Fayed, Susanne Gregard chose a very different path. Instead of staying in the spotlight, she slowly stepped away from public attention.
For many years, she focused on building a quieter and more stable life. She moved forward with her personal goals and creative interests. Unlike many people connected to famous families, she did not try to stay famous.
This decision helped her live more peacefully. While the world continued talking about Dodi and later Princess Diana, Susanne Gregard preferred to stay private and build a life away from media headlines.
Susanne Gregard’s Marriage to Philippe Quilici
A few years after the divorce, love came back into Susanne Gregard’s life. In May 1992, she married Philippe Quilici, a respected cardiac surgeon.
Philippe was born in France and later built his medical career in the United States. He works at a medical center in Burbank, California, and is known for his work as a heart specialist.
Their marriage brought a very different lifestyle compared to her earlier years. Instead of a fast celebrity life, Susanne Gregard and Philippe Quilici built a quiet family life together. Their relationship has remained stable for many years, showing that sometimes life can take a calmer and happier direction after difficult experiences.
Susanne Gregard’s Children and Family Life
Susanne Gregard and her husband Philippe Quilici share a family together. The couple has two sons, and family life became an important part of her world.
Their first son, Max Quilici, was born on September 26, 1993. Max later developed a love for music and became a jazz guitarist. Music allowed him to build his own creative path.
Their second son, Henry Quilici, was born on August 27, 1996. Henry studied film and television production at the University of Southern California (USC). His interests are connected to the creative industry as well.
Raising her children allowed Susanne Gregard to focus on motherhood and family life. Instead of chasing fame, she spent many years supporting her sons and enjoying a quieter life.
What Susanne Gregard Is Doing Today
As of 2026, Susanne Gregard continues to live a private life in Los Angeles, California. She works as a media artist and photographer, exploring creative projects that focus on beauty and nature.
One of her most interesting art styles is known as aqua floral photography. In this type of artwork, flowers are placed in water and photographed in unique ways. The result is colorful and calm images that highlight natural beauty.
She sometimes shares her work and family moments online. However, she still keeps most of her personal life away from public attention. Many people admire how she chose peace and creativity over constant media attention.
Today, Susanne Gregard is known not just as Dodi Fayed’s former wife, but also as an artist, a mother, and someone who built a balanced life after fame.
Final Thoughts
The story of Susanne Gregard is both simple and fascinating. She once stood briefly in the spotlight because of her marriage to Dodi Fayed, the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed. But her life story did not stop there.
After a short and highly talked-about marriage, she quietly stepped away from public attention. She later built a loving family, developed her creative talents, and created a peaceful life in California.
Today, many people still search for Susanne Gregard because of her connection to Dodi Fayed and the history surrounding Princess Diana. But when we look closer, we see a different story — the story of a woman who moved beyond fame and focused on living a meaningful life.
Sometimes the most interesting lives are not the loudest ones. And the real story of Susanne Gregard shows exactly that.
(FAQs)
How old is Susanne Gregard and when is her birthday?
Susanne Gregard was born on April 1, 1960. As of 2026, she is about 66 years old. Her zodiac sign is Aries, which is often linked with creative and strong personalities.
Does Susanne Gregard have Instagram?
Yes, Susanne Gregard is believed to use Instagram, where she sometimes shares photos of her artwork and family moments. However, she keeps her account very private and does not post often, which makes her online presence quite rare.
Does Susanne Gregard have children?
Yes, Susanne Gregard has two sons with her husband Philippe Quilici. Their names are Max Quilici and Henry Quilici. Max became a jazz guitarist, while Henry studied film and television production at USC.
What is Susanne Gregard’s nationality and height?
Susanne Gregard is American and was born in Long Beach, California. She is about 5 feet 5 inches (156 cm) tall, and she is known for her blonde hair and blue eyes, which helped her modeling career in the 1980s.
What is Susanne Gregard doing today in 2026?
In 2026, Susanne Gregard lives a quiet life in Los Angeles, California. She works as a media artist and photographer, creating unique floral artwork in water. She is also focused on family life with her husband and children.
Continue reading: Who Is Lisa Meyers? Everything to Know About Kris Kristofferson’s Wife
