Beyond the Spotlight: Susanne Gregard, Life After Dodi Al-Fayed – Biography, Personal Journey, and More
Susanne Gregard, an actress and former model, wed Dodi Al-Fayed, the son of Mohamed Al-Fayed, an Egyptian businessman and Princess Diana’s previous boyfriend. Eight months into their brief affair in the mid-1980s, Susanne and Dodi got divorced. She has maintained a low profile and barely talked about her ex-husband since he passed away in a Paris car accident in 1997 while driving with Diana. For a little while, Dodi Al-Fayed developed feelings for Susanne Gregard, whose life and relationship we will discuss in this piece.
Biodata of Susanne Gregard
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Susanne Gregard |
| Popular Name | Susanne Gregard Quilici |
| Birth Date | March 32, 1960 |
| Birthplace | Alexandria, Egypt |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Age | 63 years old |
| Gender | Female |
| Ethnicity | Danish |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Father | Palle Gregard |
| Mother | Elise Gregard |
| Siblings | Ken Gregard |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Philippe Quilici |
| Children | 2 Sons (Max and Henry Quilici) |
| Famous For | Ex-wife of Dodi AI-Fayed |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | – |
| Height | 5’5″, 156cm |
| Weight | 60 kg, 132 lbs |
| Profession | Model and Photographer |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Not Active |
Early Life and Parents of Susanne Gregard
Susanne Gregard, now 63, has been quite guarded about her personal life. Born on March 30, 1960, in Long Beach, California, she grew up in a close-knit family alongside her brother Ken. Her upbringing revolved around the coziness of her hometown and her parents, Palle and Elise Gregard.
Palle, Susanne’s father, had quite an adventurous spirit. Born in Copenhagen in 1925, he had a knack for exploration from a young age. As a former boy scout and later a roadie, he cherished his time in nature, always carrying a camera to capture his escapades. His life took an international turn as he worked for a European airline and traveled the world with music bands. After following his destiny to Los Angeles, he got to know Susanne’s mother Elise, and their story started there.
Elise, however, accepted her responsibilities as a committed homemaker and gave the family comfort and support. Although Susanne’s educational history is not well documented, it is known that she finished her elementary schooling in her hometown before attending college.
The Gregard household was filled with diverse experiences, blending Palle’s adventurous spirit with Elise’s nurturing presence, creating a nurturing environment for Susanne and Ken to grow and thrive.
Career
Susanne made her mark as a sought-after model during the vibrant era of the 1980s. She gained recognition for her roles in movies like “Ket Exchange” (1985) and “Cats in Star Search” (1983). In “Ket Exchange,” the storyline revolves around a young woman striving for commitment from her partner, attempting to trade apartment keys as a symbol of their relationship. This resonated with audiences, highlighting Susanne’s talent in portraying complex relationships on screen.
Aside from her acting, Susanne’s modeling career soared, featuring in campaigns for renowned brands such as Martini & Rossi, known for its alcoholic beverages. Speculation arose about her potential appearance in “The Crown,” but her character actually made an entrance in the series at a later stage, leaving audiences intrigued by what was yet to come.
Who is Dodi AL-Fayed?
He came into the world on April 15, 1955, in Alexandria, Egypt, born to Mohamed Al-Fayed and Samira Khashoggi. He grew up with his siblings Camilla, Jasmine, Karim, and Omar Al-Fayed, surrounded by the rich tapestry of their family life.
The truth about Dodi AL-fayed and Princess Diana‘s relationship
Before his relationship with Princess Diana, Dodi Al-Fayed had quite the history in the spotlight. He tied the knot with model Susanne Gregard before capturing the world’s attention with his romance with Princess Diana. Unfortunately, their time together was cut short tragically in a Paris car accident in 1997.
Dodi’s journey through high-profile relationships was a notable part of his life. He had been linked romantically with celebrities like Brooke Shields, Joanne Whalley (Val Kilmer’s ex-wife), Winona Ryder, and Tina Sinatra. However, his only venture into marriage was with model Susanne in 1986, a union that lasted merely eight months before they parted ways.
How and when Susanne Gregard Fell in Love with Dodi Al-Fayed
Back in 1985, Susanne Gregard, a 26-year-old model and actress from New York City, crossed paths with Dodi Al-Fayed, a 31-year-old man equally captivated by her beauty. They both called the vibrant city home. Dodi was smitten and pulled out all the stops to win Susanne’s affection. He whisked her away on luxurious Concorde trips to London, showered her with expensive gifts, and painted a romantic picture of their relationship to her and his inner circle, which included his father, the owner of Harrods.
Despite Dodi’s grand gestures, Susanne was hesitant about diving into a long-term commitment. When she turned down his invitation to spend two weeks in England, Dodi cleverly offered her a job as a Harrods model, a move that made it challenging for her to decline.
Their love story had its twists and turns. After multiple proposals from Dodi, the turning point came on New Year’s Eve in 1986 when he proposed to Susanne, and they decided to tie the knot in a private ceremony in London. Susanne’s parents supported the hurried wedding, and although her father gave his blessing, the occasion lacked the presence of her extended family.
Dodi, reflecting on their spontaneous wedding, remarked, “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I was intoxicated by the idea of being in love.” Their celebration included a snowball fight under the night sky, marking the beginning of their journey as a married couple.
The couple divorced after eight months of marriage.
Following their wedding, Dodi was deeply in love, often expressing his affection by kneeling and kissing his wife’s feet. However, this intense display of love didn’t last long, merely lasting a brief two months. Unfortunately, Susanne couldn’t provide the stability that Dodi sought in their relationship.
Eventually, Susanne filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. According to a close friend of Dodi’s, there was more to the story. Apparently, there was a serious fight between the couple, despite attempts to feign a breakup. This close friend revealed that the conflict arose after they had pretended to part ways, shedding light on a deeper layer to their relationship struggles.
Death of Dodi Al-Fayed
On that tragic day, August 31, 1997, Dodi and his beloved, Diana, Princess of Wales, lost their lives in a car accident. Their bodies were discovered together after the devastating incident. The accident happened as they were spending the night in Paris during their journey back to London. Their intended direction was London after wrapping up a nine-day holiday aboard his family’s yacht, the Jonikal, cruising along the French and Italian Rivieras.
Susanne life after divorce and her 2nd marriage
After their divorce, Susanne received a settlement estimated between $2 to $5 million. Dodi’s friends had actually anticipated the failure of his marriage long before it happened. One friend went as far as to label Susanne as a “gold digger,” dismissing her as just another model from Long Beach despite her portrayal as a society girl.
The most heart-wrenching part for Dodi was Susanne’s refusal to return many of his late mother’s jewels. He had to buy them back from her. In the settlement, she obtained real estate, exquisite jewelry, and a Rolls-Royce worth $140,000.
Interestingly, Dodi’s friends had predicted his divorce from his first wife, a surprise that caught him off guard. Meanwhile, after her divorce from the millionaire, Susanne found love again and married Hollywood cardiologist Philippe Quilici on May 2, 1992, enjoying over 30 years of a happy marriage.
Philippe, who hails from France but is now an American citizen, completed his studies at Mediterranean University (Aix-Marseille II). He’s currently employed at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. Susanne and Philippe share the joy of raising two wonderful kids named Maximillian and Henry. Their home is a charming French-style mansion nestled in the hills above Los Angeles where the Quilici family resides.
Susanne Gregard children
Gregard and Al-Fayed didn’t have any children together. Speaking about the concept of kids, Susanne reflected,
“He was incredibly romantic and thoughtful. He had this way of not letting things weigh him down too much.”
Even after their divorce, she’s been quite generous in her praise of her ex-husband during interviews. However, Susanne embraced motherhood during her second marriage, and now she’s a proud mom to two kids named Maximillian and Henry.
Maximillian P. Quilici (Max)
Max came into the world on September 25, 1993, right here in Los Angeles, California. He went through his growing years in LA and later enrolled at Harvard-Westlake for his education.
Having inherited his mother’s artistic talents, Max found his passion in music. He pursued this passion at USC to follow his dreams. Now, he’s out there living the musician’s life, performing across various countries. Notably, in 2019, he hit the road across Europe with his band as part of the @alecbenjamin tour.
Henry J. Quilici, Esq.
Henry is the newest member of the family, having been born on August 27, 1996. Growing up in the energetic metropolis of Los Angeles, he discovered his love of storytelling at a young age.
After following his path, he arrived at the University of Southern California and began studying film and television production there. His skill as a filmmaker has been acknowledged by the National Young Arts Foundation, which calls him a bright young artist. His knack for visual storytelling earned him a prestigious Cine Golden Eagle Award.
Among his notable works are films like “The End,” “Echoes of You,” and “Gray Matter,” where he channels his creative energy into bringing stories to life through the lens of his camera.
Susanne Gregard’s net worth
Susanne Gregard holds a net worth estimated between $2 to $5 million, stemming from her family’s wealth and her own endeavors. Her ex-husband had a $23 million net worth when they got divorced.
After her husband passed away tragically, Susanne made the decision to distance herself from the media and public. With her husband’s help, she is currently leading a quiet life in the United States. She finds comfort and solitude in her personal space, and she has a home and a car.
Favorite things of Susanne Gregard
| Category | Information |
| Food | Ice Cream |
| Actress | Angelina Jolie |
| Actor | Johnny Depp |
| Hobbies | Traveling, Reading |
| Animal | Dog |
| Brands | Dior |
Wind up
Susanne Gregard’s journey has been a rollercoaster of love, heartache, and strength. Her whirlwind romance with Dodi Al-Fayed and her lasting love story with Philippe Quilici have shaped her life. Choosing a private path away from the spotlight, she’s discovered a fulfilling life.
Her sons, Maximillian and Henry, have followed their dreams and found success in their own unique ways. While Susanne’s earlier years sparkled with fame and glitz, she’s ultimately found genuine joy in crafting a life that fits her, finding contentment in the quiet moments away from the public gaze.
FAQs about Susanne Gregard
Who is Susanne Gregard?
Susanne Gregard is a former model and actress who gained public attention for her brief marriage to Dodi Al-Fayed, the son of Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed and the last romantic interest of Princess Diana.
When and where was Susanne Gregard born?
While her birthdate is unknown, Susanne Gregard was born between 1960 and 1970. My early life was in Long Beach, California.
Did Susanne Gregard and Dodi Al-Fayed have children together?
No, Susanne Gregard and Dodi Al-Fayed did not have children together. However, Susanne has two sons from her second marriage to Philippe Quilici.
What happened to Susanne Gregard’s marriage to Dodi Al-Fayed?
Susanne and Dodi Al-Fayed were married for eight months. Susanne filed for divorce, alleging irreconcilable differences.
What is Susanne Gregard’s net worth?
Susanne Gregard’s estimated net worth is $2–$5 million.
Who is Susanne Gregard’s second husband?
Susanne Gregard’s second husband is Philippe Quilici, a famous cardiac surgeon in Hollywood. They’ve been married almost 30 years.
What are Susanne Gregard’s hobbies and favorite things?
Susanne Gregard enjoys traveling, and reading and has a preference for ice cream as a favorite food. She also admires actors Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Her preferred brand is Dior.
What is the most notable achievement of Susanne Gregard’s sons, Maximillian and Henry?
Maximillian studied music at USC and performs worldwide. Henry is a bright young filmmaker who studied Film and Television Production at USC.
How did Dodi Al-Fayed and Princess Diana meet their tragic end?
Dodi Al-Fayed and Princess Diana tragically lost their lives in a car accident on August 31, 1997, while in Paris. They had been on vacation on Dodi’s family yacht in the French and Italian Rivieras before the accident occurred.
Why did Susanne Gregard choose to lead a private life after her divorce?
After her divorce from Dodi Al-Fayed, Susanne Gregard decided to keep her life away from the media and the limelight, valuing her privacy and contentment with her second husband, Philippe Quilici.
