Diane Neal was born in Alexandria, Virginia. She moved to Colorado when her father was promoted to the position of federal attorney in Denver. She is the youngest of three daughters. Diane was a pre-med major in University, before leaving to pursue modeling, thus allowing her to travel the world.
She has studied acting at the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School. At one time, she was a competitive figure skater. When not working, she enjoys playing basketball and softball. She is a former model. Before becoming the A.D.A. on Law and Order: SVU, she had appeared on a previous episode as a woman who raped a male stripper. Engaged to her boyfriend of seven years, Marcus Fitzgerald, an engineer and former model. The couple married on July 9, 2005. Studied archaeology in Egypt and Israel.