Dodi Al Fayed burst into the limelight when he started dating Princess Diana in 1997. Many know of their relationship that would only last a few months before their tragic deaths.
However, people don’t realize that Dodi Al Fayed was married to American model Susanne Gregard before he courted the Princess of Wales.
Who is Susanne Gregard, and what was her life after her divorce from the billionaire’s son? Discover her untold story in this article!
Who Is Susanne Gregard?
Susanne Gregard is a former American model, actress, and photographer. She’s most famous for her marriage to Dodi Al Fayed. Yet, Gregard had plenty of achievements in her own right.
You may have seen her in the 1984 TV series Star Search and the 1985 film Key Exchange. On top of this, she modeled for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan.
Even though she was in a relationship with a billionaire’s son, Susanne Gregard valued her privacy. She kept a low profile while advancing her career as a media artist.
After her divorce from Dodi Al Fayed, she started expanding her knowledge. Suzanne Gregard is a specialist when it comes to aqua floral pieces.
Susanne Gregard’s Early Life
Susanne Gregard was born in Long Beach, California in 1960. She’ll turn 64 years old by the end of March 2024. Because she keeps her past private, there’s little information online about her childhood life.
Susanne’s father worked for a European airline and often traveled. Meanwhile, her mother was a homemaker, creating a nurturing environment for Susanne and her brother.
The young Susanne spent her childhood years studying in her hometown before starting a career in the 1980s.
Susanne Gregard’s Relationship With Dodi Al Fayed
Susanne Gregard and Dodi Al Fayed’s relationship began when she was only 26. He courted her by flying her to London during the weekends.
When Susanne declined his invitation to visit England for two weeks, he hired her as a model for Harrods so she couldn’t refuse.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Susanne’s brother shared that Dodi would worship the model. Sometimes, he’d get on the ground to kiss her feet.
Susanne Gregard and Dodi Al Fayed’s Marriage
Dodi proposed to Susanne on New Year’s Eve in 1986. After this, multiple lawyers tried to get Susanne to sign a prenuptial agreement.
The couple never signed one as Dodi thought it would be unromantic. Susanne and Dodi got married in 1986.
They had their honeymoon in Malibu and settled into a $25,000-per-month townhouse in Manhattan. Al Fayed insisted on the location so Susanne could continue her modeling career.
There were days when the marriage was fun.
Once, Susanne asked Dodi to buy medicine, and he returned with his bodyguards with a huge grin. It was his first time entering a grocery store at 31 years old.
However, their marriage lasted eight months before Susanne Gregard filed for divorce.
Susanne Gregard and Dodi Al Fayed’s Divorce
People Magazine says Susanne Gregard and Dodi Al Fayed’s divorce was amicable. According to the former model, Dodi was romantic and thoughtful throughout their marriage.
She recounted one night when Al Fayed planned a candle-lit dinner. The table collapsed, and the whole turkey fell on the floor, which led to a laughing session.
Still, Susanne couldn’t help but feel confined in the marriage. They were constantly surrounded by heavy security. Al Fayed also often went away while she worked, making her feel lonely.
Because of this, even though Al Fayed tried to reconcile, Susanne Gregard pushed for the split. The two never had any children.
Who Is Dodi Al Fayed?
Dodi Al Fayed produced movies like The Scarlet Letter, Chariots of Fire and Hook. His father is the Egyptian billionaire and owner of Harrods, Mohamed Al Fayed.
It’s said that Dodi received a monthly allowance of $100,000 from his dad. Yet, despite his wealth, he had various lawsuits from landlords and ex-girlfriends claiming that he owed them money.
Dodi Al Fayed was a playboy, dating stars like Tina Sinatra, Winona Ryder, and Brooke Shields. The people who know him say he can be immature and dependent on his father.
He only married Susanne Gregard once in his life. After she divorced him, Dodi went back to partying with his friends.
Dodi Al Fayed’s Relationship With Princess Diana Spencer
In July 1997, Dodi Al Fayed met Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry on his father’s yacht. This meeting was an order from his father as Mohamed Al Fayed wanted Dodi to court Princess Diana.
Following this, Dodi Al Fayed canceled his engagement to Kelly Fisher and began dating the People’s Princess. Mohamed Al Fayed believed his son proposed to Princess Diana in August 1997.
Sadly, the relationship wouldn’t last long. Dodi was in the car with Princess Diana when a tragic car accident took their lives.
Dodi Al Fayed’s relationship with Princess Diana was featured in the fifth season of The Crown.
Where Is Susanne Gregard Now?
After the divorce, Susanne Gregard carried on with her modeling career. On top of this, she began to explore photography and media art.
She later married Philippe Quilici, a renowned surgeon in Los Angeles. The couple had two children, and Susanne stepped away from the spotlight.
Today, Susanne Gregard keeps her life under wraps. The Sun says she remains married and still lives in the United States.
Final Thoughts
Susanne Gregard is a renowned American model, photographer, artist, and actress. She’s a talented woman who caught Dodi Al Fayed’s eye.
Yet, she’s not afraid to stand alone because she values her privacy and peace of mind. She knows what she’s worth and will stop at nothing to find happiness.
Susanne Gregard is genuinely inspirational to women across the globe!