Maureen Ward, Countess of Dudley (25 November 1932 – 16 November 2011), was a British actress. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Lady Dudley was the daughter of James Swanson. As Maureen Swanson, she featured in British pictures during the 1950s and retired from acting in 1961, following her marriage to Viscount Ednam.
Was on the cover of Picturegoer in June 1955 and on the cover of Paris Life in February 1958.
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Played her first lead in a 1951 Drury Lane production of "Carousel".
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Studied ballet in Paris.
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Pretty, elegant brunette Scottish leading lady briefly of 50s British pictures who retired following her marriage in 1961.
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Married William Humble David Ward in 1961, who later became the 4th Earl of Dudley. Earning the title of Countess of Dudley, she later bore him six children. Their first child, a son, was stillborn on 21 October 1961 his name was William. Then came Lady Susanna Louise Ward (born 23 May 1963); Lady Melissa Patricia Eileen Ward (born 18 July 1964); Lady Victoria Cecilia Larissa Ward (born 28 May 1966); Amelia Maureen Erica Ward (born 5 September 1967); Lady Emma Sophia Cressida Ward (born 7 January 1970); and their only surviving son Leander Ward (born 30 October 1971). She also has three stepchildren: William David Humble Jeremy Ward, Viscount Ednam (born 27 March 1947); Lady Rosemary Millicent Ward (born 26 May 1955) and Lady Anne-Marie Ines Ward (born 26 May 1955).
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Her husband's nieces are actresses Rachel Ward (Thorn Birds) and Tracy-Louise Ward (now Marchioness of Worcester).
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Maureen Swanson's husband was styled Lord Ednam until his father's death on 26th December 1969, when he succeeded as the 4th Earl of Dudley. She is his second wife, and they have six surviving children together, in addition to the three from his first marriage.