Frances Shand Kydd
Miscellaneous

Frances Shand Kydd Net Worth

Frances Shand Kydd was born into a noble family and married Viscount Althorp John Spencer when she was 18. She suffered the loss of her son early in her life and her relationship with her husband was strained. She left her husband for another man when her youngest child was three and lost a bitter battle for custody. She was ostracized by her own family and separated from her second husband. Her youngest daughter Diana died at the age of 36 in a car accident and Frances spent her later years in solitude. She found solace in the Roman Catholic Church and was involved in a number of charities.
Frances Shand Kydd is a member of Miscellaneous

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Mother of Diana, Princess of Wales
Birth Day January 20, 1936
Birth Place Sandringham House, United Kingdom, British
Age 84 YEARS OLD
Died On 3 June 2004(2004-06-03) (aged 68)\nSeil, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Birth Sign Aquarius
Known for Mother of Diana, Princess of Wales
Spouse(s) John Spencer, Viscount Althorp (m. 1954; div. 1969) Peter Shand Kydd (m. 1969; div. 1990)
Children Lady Sarah McCorquodale Jane Fellowes, Baroness Fellowes John Spencer Diana, Princess of Wales Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer
Parent(s) Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy Ruth Gill

💰 Net worth

Frances Shand Kydd, known as the Mother of Diana, Princess of Wales in British circles, is believed to have a net worth ranging from $100,000 to $1 million in 2024. Despite being part of the prominent British royal family, Frances did not amass significant wealth throughout her lifetime. Instead, she focused on her role as a mother and dedicated much of her time to charitable causes. Her estimated net worth fluctuates due to various factors such as investments, inheritance, and any ongoing financial support she may receive. Despite being known for her connection to the royal family, Frances Shand Kydd's wealth remains relatively modest.

Biography/Timeline

1936

She was born Frances Ruth Roche in Park House, on the royal estate at Sandringham, Norfolk, on 20 January 1936. Her father was Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy, a friend of King George VI and the elder son of the American heiress Frances Ellen Work and her first husband, the 3rd Baron Fermoy. Her mother, Ruth Roche, Baroness Fermoy, was a confidante and lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother). Since birth, she held the style of The Honourable as the daughter of a baron.

1954

On 1 June 1954, she married John Spencer, Viscount Althorp (later the 8th Earl Spencer), at Westminster Abbey. The Queen and other members of the royal family attended the wedding ceremony. She was 18 years old and became the youngest woman wed in Westminster Abbey in the last five decades.

1967

Her marriage to Viscount Althorp was not a happy one and, in 1967, she left him to be with Peter Shand Kydd, an heir to a wallpaper fortune in Australia whom she had met the year before. His half-brother was the former champion amateur jockey william Shand Kydd (1937-2014), who was the brother-in-law of John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan. Subsequently, she was named "the other woman" in Janet Shand Kydd's divorce action against her husband.

1969

Frances and Peter Shand Kydd were married on 2 May 1969 and lived on the Scottish island of Seil, where they bought an 18th-century farmhouse called Ardencaple, just 10 kilometres from Oban. She divided her time between London, Seil and another sheep farm in Yass, New South Wales. Although she lived a quiet life, she was forced into public view following the engagement of her daughter Diana to Prince Charles on 24 February 1981.

1976

On 14 July 1976, the 8th Earl Spencer married Raine, Countess of Dartmouth, daughter of the Novelist Dame Barbara Cartland. He eventually won a bitter custody battle over his children. Shand Kydd and her second husband separated in June 1988, after he left her for a younger woman. She blamed the pressure of media attention for the breakdown of the marriage.

1996

In 1996, she was banned from driving after being convicted of drunk-driving, but denied she had a Problem with alcohol. She and Diana quarrelled in May 1997, after she told Hello! magazine that Diana was happy to lose her style of "Royal Highness" following her controversial divorce from Prince Charles. She was reportedly not on speaking terms with her daughter by the time of Diana's death.

2004

In 2004, Maxine Riddington published a biographical book about her, entitled Frances: The Remarkable Story of Princess Diana's Mother.

Some Frances Shand Kydd images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.