Diana Rigg Death Cause: Cancer, Her Last Role, and Net Worth

Few television characters exit with the same theatrical flair as Lady Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns. The actress who brought her to life, Dame Diana Rigg, carried that same sharp wit and defiance off-screen, right up until her final days.

Born: 20 July 1938 ·
Died: 10 September 2020 ·
Cause of Death: Cancer (diagnosed March 2020) ·
Notable Role: Emma Peel, The Avengers ·
Last Role: Lady Olenna Tyrell, Game of Thrones ·
Awards: BAFTA, Emmy, Tony

Six key facts about Diana Rigg, drawn from official obituaries and verified sources.

What was the cause of Diana Rigg’s death?

Dame Diana Rigg died of cancer on 10 September 2020, according to a statement from her daughter Rachael Stirling. She was diagnosed in March 2020 and passed away peacefully at home in London, surrounded by family (NPR (US public radio)).

Family confirmation

• Rachael Stirling confirmed the cause of death in a public statement: “She died peacefully in her sleep.” (The Independent (UK newspaper))

Public statement from daughter Rachael Stirling

• Stirling added that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer in March 2020 and “spent her last months joyfully” (Rolling Stone (music and culture magazine)).

Underlying diagnosis

• The cancer type was not disclosed, but multiple obituaries confirm it was the sole cause (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).

The implication: She shaped her own exit as precisely as she shaped her most memorable scenes.

Why did Diana Rigg quit The Avengers?

Rigg left the hit series The Avengers after two seasons (1965–1968) due to a combination of pay inequality and a desire to return to stage work. She later said she didn’t want to be typecast as Emma Peel.

Salary dispute

• Rigg discovered she was paid significantly less than male co-stars and demanded parity (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).

Creative differences

• She felt the show’s formula had become repetitive and wanted to explore more challenging roles.

Desire for stage work

• Rigg was a classically trained actress and returned to the Royal Shakespeare Company after leaving the series.

“I didn’t want to be typecast. I wanted to do other things.”

— Dame Diana Rigg, on leaving The Avengers

How much was Diana Rigg worth when she died?

Estimates of Diana Rigg’s net worth at death vary widely, as no official probate statement was made public immediately. Most sources place it in the range of several million pounds, accumulated through decades of television, film, and stage work.

Estimated net worth

• Celebrity net worth sites estimate £5–10 million, but these figures are unverified (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Inheritance and will

• Rigg’s will reportedly left the bulk of her estate to her daughter, Rachael Stirling, but exact amounts have not been disclosed.

Divorce settlements

• She was married once, to Archibald Stirling, and the divorce was settled amicably.

What was Diana Rigg’s last role?

Rigg’s final on-screen performance was as Lady Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, a role she played from 2013 to 2019. She also completed filming for Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, released posthumously in 2021.

Lady Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones

• Rigg earned four Emmy nominations for her portrayal of the sharp-tongued Queen of Thorns (NPR).
• Her final scene, where Olenna outwits her enemies, was widely praised as a fitting farewell.

Final stage performance

• She performed in the West End production of My Fair Lady in 2019.

Posthumous releases

• Last Night in Soho (2021) was her final film role (CNET (tech and entertainment news)).

Did Diana Rigg like Patrick Macnee?

Yes, Rigg and her Avengers co-star Patrick Macnee enjoyed a close working relationship and remained friends until Macnee’s death in 2015.

On-screen chemistry

• Their partnership as John Steed and Emma Peel is considered one of television’s greatest duos.

Personal friendship

• Macnee described Rigg as “a joy to work with” and they often socialized off set.

Mutual respect

• Rigg said Macnee was “the perfect gentleman” and credited him with guiding her through the pressures of fame.

“She was a joy to work with — a true professional with a great sense of humour.”

— Patrick Macnee, on working with Diana Rigg

Timeline of key events

• 20 July 1938: Born in Doncaster, England.
• 1965–1968: Starred as Emma Peel in The Avengers.
• 1969: Appeared in James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
• 1994: Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).
• 2016–2019: Played Lady Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones.
• March 2020: Diagnosed with cancer.
• 10 September 2020: Died at home with family.

Clarity: What we know and what we don’t

The pattern: most major facts are confirmed by family and official sources, but financial details remain private.

Quotes from those who knew her

“She passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family.”

— Rachael Stirling, daughter, in a public statement

“She was a joy to work with — a true professional with a great sense of humour.”

— Patrick Macnee, co-star in The Avengers

“I didn’t want to be typecast. I wanted to do other things.”

— Dame Diana Rigg, on leaving The Avengers

Diana Rigg’s legacy is not just a list of roles. She was a woman who chose her own path, whether walking away from a hit series or facing a terminal diagnosis with grace. For fans of classic television, her work as Emma Peel remains iconic. For a younger generation, she was the unforgettable Queen of Thorns. The through line: sharp wit, fierce independence, and a refusal to be anything less than herself. Rigg’s choices — from quitting The Avengers to controlling her health narrative — ensured she always remained the author of her own story.

Frequently asked questions