Who Is Elisabeth Sladen? Age, Biography and Wiki
Elisabeth Sladen was born on February 1, 1946, which would make her 79 years old in 2025. Hailing from Liverpool, England, she was renowned for her significant contributions to British television. Her role as Sarah Jane Smith not only made her a household name but also earned her a dedicated fan base that extended beyond the original Doctor Who series.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1946 |
| Age | 65 Years |
| Birth Place | Liverpool, England |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 19 April, 2011 |
| Died Place | Southall, London, England |
Popularity
Elisabeth Sladen's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While Elisabeth’s precise height and weight were often unlisted, she was estimated to stand around 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall. Throughout her career, she maintained a slender figure typical of many actresses in her time, though specific measurements are not readily available.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Elisabeth Sladen married actor Brian Miller in 1968. The couple had a daughter, Sadie Miller, who has also pursued a career in acting, appearing in various television series. Even after her passing, Elisabeth's family continues to honor her legacy. There’s no public record of other relationships, as she was dedicated to her family and career during her lifetime.
After two years at drama school, Sladen began work at the Liverpool Playhouse repertory company as an assistant stage manager. Her first stage appearance at the Playhouse was as a maid in Twelfth Night. A few months later, she played a corpse in The Physicists.
However, she was scolded for giggling on stage due to her future husband Brian Miller whispering the words "Respiration nil, Aston Villa two" in her ear while he was playing a doctor. Sladen was such a good assistant stage manager that she did not get many acting roles, a problem that was solved when she accidentally made a mistake on one occasion.
An earlier interview indicated that she deliberately made mistakes on several occasions. As a result, she began to get on-stage roles again. She eventually moved into weekly repertory work, travelling to various locations in Britain. Sladen and Miller moved to Manchester, in 1966, spending three years there. They married on 8 June 1968.
She appeared in numerous roles, most notably as Desdemona in Othello, her first appearance as a leading lady. She also got the occasional part on Radio Leeds and Granada Television, eventually appearing as barmaid Anita Reynolds in 1970 in six episodes of the long-running soap opera Coronation Street.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her death in 2011, Elisabeth Sladen's estimated net worth was around $5 million. This wealth was primarily accrued through her successful television career and various appearances in film and stage productions. In 2025, her legacy continues to earn residual income from reruns and merchandise related to the Doctor Who franchise.
Career, Business and Investments
Elisabeth's career began in the 1960s, but she gained fame when she appeared as Sarah Jane Smith alongside the Fourth Doctor, played by Tom Baker. Her popularity led to her own spin-off series, The Sarah Jane Adventures, which delighted a new generation of viewers. Beyond acting, Sladen was involved in various charitable works and had investment interests in the arts.
Elisabeth Clara Heath-Sladen (1 February 1946 – 19 April 2011) was an English actress.
She became best known as Sarah Jane Smith in the British television series Doctor Who, appearing as a regular cast member from 1973 to 1976, alongside both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, and reprising the role many times in subsequent decades, both on Doctor Who and its spin-offs, K-9 and Company (1981) and The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007–2011).
Social Network
While Elisabeth Sladen was not active on social media during her lifetime, her character and contributions have been celebrated widely online. Fan pages and tribute accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter continue to honor her work and legacy, making her a prominent figure in contemporary pop culture discussions.
In 1973, Doctor Who actress Katy Manning, who was playing the Third Doctor's assistant Jo Grant opposite Jon Pertwee, was leaving the series; Z-Cars producer Ron Craddock gave Sladen an enthusiastic recommendation to Doctor Who producer Barry Letts.
Sladen arrived at the audition not knowing it was for the new companion role, and was amazed at Letts's thoroughness. She was introduced to Pertwee, whom she found intimidating at the time. As she chatted with Letts and Pertwee, each time she turned to look at one of them the other would signal a thumbs-up.
The role of Sarah Jane Smith was originally given to comic actress April Walker, but allegedly during rehearsals for debut story The Time Warrior, doubts over the pairing of Walker and Pertwee surfaced and the part was recast with Sladen.
Education
Elisabeth Sladen attended the Liverpool University College where she studied arts before pursuing her acting career. Her educational background equipped her with a strong foundation in performance, enabling her to excel in various roles throughout her lifetime.
She developed an interest in performing at an early age, beginning dance lessons when she was five, and dancing in one production with the Royal Ballet. She was a primary school contemporary of future politician Edwina Currie, appearing in at least one school production with her. She went on to secondary school and attended Aigburth Vale High School for Girls.
