Who Is Nancy Wake? Age, Biography and Wiki
Nancy Wake was born on August 30, 1912, and she passed away on August 7, 2011. Known for her remarkable exploits during World War II, Wake became a prominent figure in the French Resistance, earning the nickname "The White Mouse" due to her ability to evade capture by the Nazis. Her courage, intelligence, and dedication to the cause of freedom made her a legendary figure in history. As of 2025, had she been alive, Wake would have celebrated her 113th birthday.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 30, 1912 |
| Age | 98 Years |
| Birth Place | Roseneath, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Date of death | 7 August, 2011 |
| Died Place | London, England |
Popularity
Nancy Wake's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Throughout her life, Nancy Wake was known for her strong and determined persona, which was complemented by her physical attributes. Although specific measurements from her earlier years are largely undocumented, she was characterized as having a petite stature. In her prime, she stood at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall and had an athletic build, a testament to her active lifestyle as a courier and operative.
Wake died on 7 August 2011, aged 98, at Kingston Hospital after being admitted with a chest infection. She had requested that her ashes be scattered at Montluçon in central France. Her ashes were scattered near the village of Verneix, which is near Montluçon, on 11 March 2013.
Her obituary was included in (and inspired the title for) The Socialite Who Killed A Nazi With Her Bare Hands: And 144 Other Fascinating People Who Died This Year, a collection of New York Times obituaries published in 2012.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Nancy Wake's marital status has been a focal point of her biography. She married Henri Fiocca in 1943, a marriage that was deeply affected by the turmoil of war. Sadly, the couple was separated due to Henri's imprisonment during the war, and he tragically died after the war ended. Wake had no children of her own, and while there were romances throughout her life, she remained devoted to her late husband and her mission of resistance.
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Wake grew up in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. By the 1930s, Wake was living in Marseille with her French industrialist husband, Henri Fiocca, when the war broke out.
After the fall of France to Nazi Germany in 1940, Wake became a courier for the Pat O'Leary escape network led by Ian Garrow and, later, Albert Guérisse. As a member of the escape network, she helped Allied airmen evade capture by the Germans and escape to neutral Spain.
In 1943, when the Germans became aware of her, she escaped to Spain and then went to the United Kingdom. Her husband was captured and executed.
Net Worth and Salary
During her lifetime, Nancy Wake achieved a level of recognition that allowed her to live comfortably. Though her exact net worth is not widely documented, it's estimated that in her later years, her worth could have ranged from $1 million to $5 million, largely attributed to her work in public speaking, writing, and various interviews about her wartime experiences. Adjusted for inflation and considering her contributions to literature and history, her impactful legacy may be priceless.
Career, Business and Investments
Nancy Wake's career primarily revolved around her feats during World War II. Following her remarkable service with the French Resistance and the Special Operations Executive (SOE), her life took on varied roles, including author and motivational speaker. Post-war, she worked as a journalist and pursued investments in building her persona, leading to several successful endeavors in literature. Nancy later documented her experiences, gaining wider recognition and contributing to various humanitarian efforts.
With Henri Tardivat. After her bicycle ride, the Freelance team, with another recently arrived operator named Roger, a 19-year-old American marine, returned to Allier Department to join the resistance group of Henri Tardivat (who discovered her tangled in a tree when she parachuted in).
In July two more Americans, Reeve Schley and John deKoven Alsop, joined their team as instructors. Neither spoke much French and Schley was nearly blind if not wearing his thick-lensed eyeglasses, but he impressed the maquisards with his immaculately tailored military uniform. Both proved to be effective instructors.
Wake said that she and Tardivat initiated a series of attacks on German convoys and fought off an attack on their camp by the Germans in which seven French maquisards were killed.
Her principal job, however, continued to be to organize the reception and distribution of arms and material for the resistance groups which was parachuted into Allier nearly every other night.
Social Network
Even in her later years, Nancy Wake maintained connections with various historical communities, social programs, and online platforms that honored her legacy. Given her impactful life story, she was often featured in documentaries and series focused on World War II, reinforcing her role as a significant historical figure. If she were active in 2025, one could expect her to engage via social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, celebrating her legacy and connecting with admirers and historians.
Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, (30 August 1912 – 7 August 2011), also known as Madame Fiocca and Nancy Fiocca, was a New Zealand born nurse and journalist who joined the French Resistance and later the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II, and briefly pursued a post-war career as an intelligence officer in the Air Ministry.
The official historian of the SOE, M. R. D. Foot, said that "her irrepressible, infectious, high spirits were a joy to everyone who worked with her". Many stories about her World War II activities come from her autobiography, The White Mouse, and are not verifiable from other sources.
Education
Details about Nancy Wake's formal education are sparse, as she was more self-taught and experienced-based. Her early life in New Zealand and later living in Australia shaped her worldview before moving to Europe, where she gained firsthand experiences that would define her as an operative. Her strong sense of justice and dedication to learning through experience contributed significantly to her skills in espionage and leadership.
In conclusion, Nancy Wake’s life story is a testament to bravery, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to fight for freedom. Her legacy continues to inspire many, and had she been present in 2025, her influence would undoubtedly remain impactful in discussions surrounding history, resistance, and empowerment.
In Sydney, Wake attended the North Sydney Household Arts (Home Science) School. At the age of 16, she ran away from home and worked as a nurse. With £200 (1928 currency) she had inherited from an aunt, she journeyed to New York City, then London where she trained herself as a journalist.
