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Lady Diana Spencer

Lady Diana Spencer was born on July 1, 1961 in Sandringham, Norfolk, England. Born into privilege she was educated at the finest schools in Europe. When her formal education was completed she became a nursery school teacher’s aid in London. She became Princess Diana when she married Prince Charles, the heir to the throne of the United Kingdom. In the late 1980s, she became increasingly involved in charity work, taking on a number of causes including such sensitive issues as HIV/AIDS, domestic abuse, and drug addiction. She traveled thousands of miles a year in support of her favorite causes, often taking along her beloved sons, especially William, who many expect will become king someday, to hospitals and homeless shelters so that they would understand the world outside the palace walls.

From the beginning, the public adored the photogenic princess, and the media followed her every move. Her growing dedication to charity work built her reputation as the “people’s princess”. She touched millions throughout the world with her understanding, compassion, and commitment to reach out and help. She championed people on the margins of society, people who face extremely difficult challenges with little or no support. She felt a special affinity for young people. From 1990 until her death in 1997, she worked actively in the United States to bring greater attention and support to people in need, including disadvantaged children and youth.
Humanitarian work always played an important part in her life both at home and abroad. Major overseas visits included Angola, Bosnia, Pakistan, India, Egypt, Australia and the United States of America. She also visited many European countries including Italy where she met Mother Teresa in 1992.

Her interests were reflected in the organizations of which she was Patron or President of, which included the Great Ormond Street for Sick Children in London and the Royal Marsden Hospital, which specializes in the treatment of cancer. Her Patronages also included Centrepoint, an organization working with the homeless, The National Aids Trust and The Leprosy Mission. Her love of the arts was underlined by her involvement as Patron of the English National Ballet. During her lifetime she had been patron of an additional 100 charities. Her life’s work in charities exemplifies her giving spirit for which she will always be remembered by.

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Diana Spencer

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