Susanne Gregard is an American former model, actress, and current media artist who gained fame in the 1980s through appearances in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan. She was briefly married to Dodi Al-Fayed for eight months before his relationship with Princess Diana.
Susanne Gregard represents a fascinating figure whose life story spans from the glamorous world of 1980s fashion modeling to a successful transition into media artistry. While many know her primarily as Dodi Fayed’s ex-wife, her independent career achievements and personal journey reveal a much more complex and accomplished individual.
Born in 1959, Gregard’s path from a Danish upbringing to international modeling success, followed by her reinvention as a media artist, demonstrates remarkable adaptability and artistic vision. Her story intersects with some of the most significant cultural moments of the late 20th century, yet she has managed to carve out her own distinct identity.
Early Life and Background: From Denmark to International Success
What was Susanne Gregard’s childhood like in Denmark?
Susanne Gregard was born in 1959 in Denmark, where she experienced a simple upbringing. Her early years in Denmark provided a foundation of European cultural sophistication that would later serve her well in the international fashion industry. The contrast between her modest beginnings and her eventual rise to prominence in the glamorous world of modeling reflects the transformative power of determination and natural beauty.
During her formative years in Denmark, Gregard developed the poise and elegance that would become her trademark in the modeling world. Her Scandinavian heritage contributed to the distinctive look that fashion photographers and magazine editors would find so compelling in the 1980s fashion scene.
How did she transition from Denmark to America?
In the early 1980s, Gregard relocated to the United States to kickstart her modeling career. This bold move represented a significant life decision that would ultimately define her professional trajectory. The transition from Denmark to America required not only courage but also the ability to adapt to a completely different cultural and business environment.
The decision to pursue modeling in America during the 1980s proved prescient, as the decade represented a golden age for fashion and celebrity culture. Gregard’s timing allowed her to capitalize on the era’s appetite for fresh faces and international talent in the modeling industry.
Modeling Career Peak: Conquering Major Fashion Publications
Which prestigious magazines featured Susanne Gregard?
Gregard initially rose to prominence in the 1980s as a model, appearing on the covers of several international fashion magazines, including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Her appearances in these prestigious publications established her as a serious contender in the competitive world of high fashion modeling.
The significance of appearing in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar cannot be overstated in the modeling world. These publications represented the pinnacle of fashion journalism and only featured models who possessed both exceptional beauty and the ability to embody the sophisticated aesthetic these magazines required.
Gregard landed modelling gigs before appearing in renowned magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. The progression from smaller assignments to major magazine covers demonstrates her professional growth and increasing recognition within the industry.
| Magazine | Significance | Career Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Vogue | Ultimate fashion authority | Established high-fashion credibility |
| Harper’s Bazaar | Luxury lifestyle publication | Enhanced sophisticated image |
| Cosmopolitan | Popular women’s magazine | Broadened mainstream appeal |
What made her modeling style distinctive?
Her striking beauty and charm would later lead her to pursue a career in the modeling industry. Gregard’s appeal went beyond conventional beauty standards, incorporating a European sensibility that distinguished her from American models of the era.
Her modeling style reflected the sophisticated glamour that defined 1980s fashion photography. The decade’s emphasis on elegance, luxury, and aspirational imagery aligned perfectly with Gregard’s natural aesthetic and professional presentation. Her work during this period contributed to defining the visual language of 1980s high fashion.
Acting Career: Television and Film Appearances
What were Susanne Gregard’s notable acting roles?
Susanne Gregard is known for Key Exchange (1985) and Star Search (1983). Her transition from modeling to acting represented a natural evolution for someone already comfortable in front of cameras and skilled at embodying different personas.
The 1985 romantic comedy “Key Exchange” provided Gregard with her most substantial acting opportunity. According to her IMDb profile, Susanne Gregard’s movies include the 1985 American rom-com Key Exchange, where she portrayed Gym Honey. While the role was supporting rather than leading, it demonstrated her ability to transition between different entertainment mediums.
How did her television work compare to her film career?
The American actress was also featured in the TV show Star Search in 1984. Star Search represented one of television’s most influential talent showcase programs, providing exposure to millions of viewers across America.
Her appearance on Star Search occurred during the show’s most popular period, when it served as a launching pad for numerous entertainers who would later achieve significant success. This television exposure complemented her print modeling work by introducing her to a broader audience through the medium of television.
High-Profile Marriage: The Dodi Al-Fayed Connection
How did Susanne Gregard meet Dodi Fayed?
The relationship between Susanne Gregard and Dodi Al-Fayed developed during the mid-1980s, when both were prominent figures in entertainment circles. In 1986, Fayed married model Suzanne Gregard. Their connection represented the intersection of fashion, film production, and international society that characterized the glamorous lifestyle of the 1980s elite.
Dodi Fayed, as the son of Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed and a film producer in his own right, moved in circles that naturally overlapped with successful models and actors. Their meeting likely occurred through mutual connections in the entertainment industry, where such relationships frequently developed.
What was their marriage like and why did it end?
They divorced eight months later. The brief duration of their marriage reflected the challenges of maintaining relationships under the intense scrutiny that accompanied high-profile unions during this period.
“He was so romantic and thoughtful. And he didn’t take things too seriously,” Gregard told PEOPLE in 1997. “Once, during a candlelit dinner he had arranged, the table we were sitting at collapsed, and the whole turkey fell to the floor. We laughed so hard. That was what I loved”
Despite the marriage’s brevity, Gregard’s later reflections suggest that their relationship contained genuine affection and shared humor. The ability to laugh together during awkward moments indicated a compatibility that transcended their eventual separation.
Career Transformation: From Fashion to Media Art
What is Susanne Gregard doing professionally today?
As of February 2024, at 63 years old, she defies the conventional narrative reserved for those touched by the allure of high-profile relationships, having once been married to Dodi Al-Fayed, the s and Sussan works as a media artist and photographer in Los Angeles, California.
Her transition from modeling and acting to media artistry represents a sophisticated career evolution that builds upon her visual experience while exploring new creative territories. The move into photography and media art allows her to apply the aesthetic sensibilities developed during her modeling career from a different perspective.
How has she evolved artistically since her modeling days?
Gregard’s journey from the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue to a quiet life of artistic pursuit is a testament to the unpredictable paths of destiny. This evolution demonstrates how individuals can successfully reinvent themselves professionally while maintaining connections to their previous expertise.
She is into aqua floral and regularly works on projects that combine her understanding of visual composition with artistic expression. Her current work reflects a mature artistic vision that has moved beyond the commercial constraints of fashion photography into more personal creative territory.
Personal Life and Current Status
What is known about her current family situation?
Susan is married to a French-born cardiac surgeon, and they have two children. This information reveals that Gregard has successfully built a stable family life following her high-profile first marriage and career transitions.
Her marriage to a medical professional suggests a preference for privacy and stability that contrasts sharply with the public attention that accompanied her earlier relationships. The choice to marry someone outside the entertainment industry reflects a desire for a more grounded personal life.
Where does Susanne Gregard live now and what occupies her time?
Current reports indicate that Gregard maintains her residence in Los Angeles, California, where she continues her work as a media artist and photographer. The Los Angeles location provides access to both artistic communities and the entertainment industry connections that remain relevant to her work.
Her choice to remain in Los Angeles despite transitioning away from traditional entertainment career paths suggests that the city continues to offer opportunities relevant to her current artistic pursuits. The creative community in Los Angeles supports diverse forms of media art and photography.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The story of Susanne Gregard illustrates the complex ways that women navigate public attention, career transitions, and personal reinvention in the modern era. Her ability to move from high-profile modeling success through a brief but intensely scrutinized marriage and into a fulfilling artistic career provides a model for others facing similar transitions.
Her experience demonstrates that individuals can successfully redefine themselves professionally and personally, even after achieving recognition in highly visible fields. The transition from fashion modeling to media artistry shows how skills and aesthetic sensibilities can transfer across different creative disciplines.
Key Career Milestones:
- Early 1980s: Successful modeling career launch in America
- Mid-1980s: Major fashion magazine appearances and acting debut
- 1986-1987: Marriage to Dodi Al-Fayed and subsequent divorce
- 1990s-2000s: Career transition period
- 2000s-Present: Establishment as media artist and photographer
Gregard’s journey reflects broader themes about celebrity, privacy, and artistic evolution that continue to resonate in contemporary culture. Her story provides insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals whose lives intersect with major historical and cultural moments while maintaining their own independent identity and creative vision.
The lasting significance of Susanne Gregard’s story lies not merely in her connection to famous individuals or events, but in her demonstration of personal agency and artistic growth throughout different phases of life. Her evolution from international model to media artist represents a successful navigation of the complex relationship between public recognition and private creative fulfillment.
