Susanne Gregard: The Former Wife of Dodi Al-Fayed and Her Life Today

Susanne Gregard is an American actress and model who became a public figure through her brief marriage to Dodi Al-Fayed, the Egyptian film producer and eldest son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed. Their marriage lasted just eight months in 1986-1987 before ending in divorce. Dodi later became internationally known for his relationship with Princess Diana, and both died in the tragic Paris car crash on August 31, 1997.

Despite the intense media scrutiny that came with being connected to one of the most high-profile stories of the 20th century, Gregard has built a quiet and private life far from the tabloids. She remarried heart surgeon Philippe Quilici, had two children, and settled in Los Angeles. Now 65 years old, she remains one of the lesser-known but genuinely interesting figures connected to the Al-Fayed family story.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Upbringing

Susanne Gregard was born on April 1, 1960. Specific details about her childhood, parents, and early upbringing haven’t been made public. She’s kept information about her family background closely guarded throughout her life, even as media attention around her increased due to her later connections.

Move to the United States

In the early 1980s, Gregard relocated to the United States to pursue a career in modeling and acting. The move proved to be a turning point. Standing at 180 cm (5’11”), she had the physical presence that agencies and casting directors were looking for. She began landing work in both print modeling and on-screen roles, establishing herself in the competitive worlds of fashion and entertainment in New York and Los Angeles.

Susanne Gregard’s Marriage to Dodi Al-Fayed

Susanne Gregard and Dodi Al-Fayed met in 1985 through mutual connections in the entertainment and social circles where both moved. Dodi, the son of Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed (owner of Harrods department store in London), was himself a film producer who split his time between London, Paris, and various residences around the world.

Their relationship moved quickly. By late 1986, the couple married. But the union was short-lived. By August 1987 — roughly eight months after the wedding — they divorced, citing irreconcilable differences. Neither Gregard nor Dodi spoke publicly in detail about what went wrong. The divorce was handled privately, and whatever financial arrangements were made stayed out of the press.

At the time, the marriage and divorce attracted modest tabloid interest. Dodi was known in certain circles as a wealthy playboy and film producer, but he hadn’t yet reached the level of global fame that would come a decade later. For Gregard, the divorce marked the end of a brief chapter, and she moved on with her life and career.

The Tragic Death of Dodi Al-Fayed

On August 31, 1997, Dodi Al-Fayed and Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris, France. Their driver, Henri Paul, also died at the scene. Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was the sole survivor.

The crash occurred as the couple was being pursued by paparazzi after leaving the Ritz Paris hotel. Investigations later determined that Henri Paul was intoxicated and driving at excessive speed. The deaths of both Diana and Dodi sent shockwaves around the world, and the event remains one of the most widely reported tragedies of the late 20th century.

By that time, Gregard and Dodi had been divorced for a full decade. She’d already remarried and started a family. Still, the worldwide media frenzy that followed the crash inevitably drew renewed attention to anyone who had been part of Dodi’s life — including his former wife. Gregard maintained her privacy throughout this period and didn’t give interviews or public statements about his death.

Life After Dodi — Marriage to Philippe Quilici

After her divorce from Dodi Al-Fayed, Susanne Gregard moved forward with her life and eventually found lasting love with Philippe Quilici, a heart surgeon. The couple married and settled in Los Angeles, California, where they still reside today.

Together, Gregard and Quilici have two children. Unlike her first marriage, which attracted tabloid coverage due to the Al-Fayed family’s wealth and visibility, her life with Quilici has been remarkably private. The family lives away from the media spotlight, and Gregard has made a clear and consistent effort to keep her children and her home life out of the public eye.

Her marriage to Quilici has lasted decades — a stark contrast to the eight-month union with Dodi. It speaks to the stable, grounded life she’s built for herself in the years since her brush with the world of billionaires, tabloids, and international celebrity.

Career

Modeling Career

Gregard’s modeling career took shape in the early 1980s after she moved to the United States. At 5’11”, she had the height and look that worked well for both editorial and commercial modeling. She appeared in international magazine spreads and was a contestant on Star Search, the popular television talent competition that launched numerous careers in the 1980s.

Acting and Film Work

Gregard also pursued acting, landing roles in several films during the 1980s. Her credits include appearances in F/X (1986), the special effects thriller, and Key Exchange (1985). She was also connected to the production side of the film industry — her name appeared in association with Breaking Glass (1980) as an associate producer.

Her work in both modeling and acting placed her in the social and professional circles where she’d eventually cross paths with Dodi Al-Fayed, who was himself a film producer credited on projects like Chariots of Fire (1981) and Hook (1991).

Later Career

After the 1980s, Gregard stepped back from the entertainment industry. She reportedly turned her attention to art and photography, though specific exhibitions or published works haven’t been widely documented. Her shift away from public-facing work aligned with her broader move toward a more private life, especially after remarrying and starting a family.

Personal Life

How Old Is Susanne Gregard?

Susanne Gregard was born on April 1, 1960. As of 2026, she’s 65 years old. Some earlier sources listed her birth year as 1957, but more recent reporting places it at 1960.

Where Does Susanne Gregard Live?

Gregard lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband Philippe Quilici. The couple has resided there for many years, raising their two children in relative privacy.

Does She Have Children?

Yes. Susanne Gregard and Philippe Quilici have two children together. She didn’t have any children during her marriage to Dodi Al-Fayed. The names and ages of her children with Quilici haven’t been made public, consistent with her long-standing preference for privacy.

Susanne Gregard’s Net Worth in 2026

Susanne Gregard’s net worth in 2026 isn’t publicly documented. She earned income through her modeling and acting career in the 1980s, and any financial settlement from her divorce from Dodi Al-Fayed was handled privately. Her current husband, Philippe Quilici, is a heart surgeon — a profession that typically commands a high salary in the United States.

Given the combination of her earlier career earnings, the likelihood of a divorce settlement from the Al-Fayed family (though unconfirmed), and her husband’s medical career, it’s reasonable to assume the family is financially comfortable. However, without confirmed figures, any specific net worth estimate would be speculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Susanne Gregard Married to Dodi Al-Fayed?

Yes. Susanne Gregard married Dodi Al-Fayed in late 1986. They divorced in August 1987 after approximately eight months of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. She was his only wife.

Who Is Susanne Gregard Married to Now?

Susanne Gregard is currently married to Philippe Quilici, a heart surgeon. They live in Los Angeles, California, and have two children together. The marriage has lasted significantly longer than her first marriage to Dodi Al-Fayed.

What Happened to Dodi Al-Fayed?

Dodi Al-Fayed died on August 31, 1997, in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris, France. Princess Diana also died in the same crash. By that time, Dodi and Susanne Gregard had been divorced for ten years.

Does Susanne Gregard Have Any Children?

Susanne Gregard has two children from her marriage to Philippe Quilici. She did not have any children during her marriage to Dodi Al-Fayed. The names and details of her children have been kept private.

What Did Susanne Gregard Do for a Living?

Gregard worked as a model and actress in the 1980s. She appeared in films including F/X and Key Exchange, was involved in production work on Breaking Glass, and competed on Star Search. She later stepped away from entertainment to focus on her family.

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