Her father was a pilot for the British Royal Navy and died in a flying accident in 1964. Her stepfather was also a pilot and died six years later under similar circumstances. Her childhood home was Dorset, England. She left at the age of 19 to work as an au pair in Paris. She is currently married to François Oliviennes, a French obstetrician. They live in a 19th century country house with their children, Hannah, Joseph, and George.
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#50). [1995] Chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [1997] Older sister of Serena Scott Thomas. Speaks French fluently. Dubbed herself in French in Four Weddings and a Funeral. Appointed OBE in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List. Is the eldest of five. Has three children: Hannah (b. 1988), Joseph (b. March 1991), and George (b. August 21, 2000). She was nominated for a 2004 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actress of 2003 for her performance in "Three Sisters" at the Playhouse. Awarded Legion d'Honneur, France's highest civilian award, in January 2005 honors list. She also dubbed herself in French for Random Hearts. Ex-sister-in-law of Scott J. Tepper. Member of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 She has worked with three of the fine Fiennes family, co-starring with Ralph in The English Patient and with Joseph in Man to Man and being directed by Martha in Chromophobia. Was told by a school teacher back in her native England that she wouldn't make it as an actress because there was no money to be made of it and that's what influenced her to move to France where she currently still resides. Made her feature film debut in the 1986 film Under the Cherry Moon, which was directed by and starred Prince. Considers herself more French than British, having lived in Paris for more years than in her homeland. In the late 1990s she was scheduled to appear opposite Harrison Ford in a doomed production titled "Age of Aquarius," but the project fell through due to financing complications. Yet again when she was up for the role of Harrison Ford's leading lady in Six Days Seven Nights, she lost the part to Anne Heche. Has lived in Paris since she was 19.