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Queen Elizabeth II Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth21 April 1926

Age96 (at time of death)

Birthplace17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom

ProfessionQueen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; Head of the Commonwealth

NationalityBritish

Marital statusWidow

SpousePrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (died 9 April 2021)

FamilyChildren: Charles, Andrew, Edward, Anne; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Net worth$500 million (approx., as of 2021)

Queen Elizabeth II Biography

Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) was the longest-reigning British monarch, serving as Queen from 1952 until her death in 2022. Her seven-decad

Early life and background

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on 21 April 1926 in Mayfair, London, at her maternal grandfather’s home. She was given the names Elizabeth after her mother, Alexandra after a paternal great-grandmother, and Mary after her paternal grandmother. Known within her family by the diminutive Lilibet, she was raised alongside her younger sister, Margaret, and educated at home by their mother and private tutors. The girls’ curriculum included history, languages, literature and music; Elizabeth later became fluent in French and routinely used it on state visits without an interpreter.

As a child she enjoyed pastimes typical of the royal household, including riding and other outdoor pursuits. A memorable gift from Wales at age six — a thatched playhouse equipped with miniature furnishings and a working telephone — remained part of the family’s anecdotal history. Her early public profile included appearing on the cover of Time magazine in 1929.

Career

Elizabeth succeeded to the throne on 6 February 1952 following the death of her father, King George VI. Her coronation was held on 2 June 1953, formally beginning a reign that spanned seven decades and numerous Commonwealth realms. Over the course of her reign she was Queen of the United Kingdom and several independent Commonwealth countries, and she served as Head of the Commonwealth.

Her reign was marked by a series of jubilees that reflected its length: a Silver Jubilee at 25 years, a Golden Jubilee at 50, a Diamond Jubilee at 60, a Sapphire Jubilee at 65 years, and a Platinum Jubilee at 70 years on the throne. She became the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-lived British monarch in modern history, reaching milestones that placed her ahead of predecessors in longevity of service.

During the Second World War she undertook public duties closer to home and, in 1944, served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she trained as a driver and mechanic and attained the honorary rank of junior commander. Her wartime service and early broadcasts helped establish a rapport with the public that continued into her reign.

Public profile

Elizabeth maintained a visible public profile throughout her life and reign. She combined ceremonial duties with private patronage; among her honors was an honorary BAFTA awarded in recognition of her support for the film industry. She kept a strong interest in sport and was a lifelong supporter of Arsenal Football Club. Her personal tastes and interests included equestrian pursuits, pigeon racing, and attending football matches.

She and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, married on 20 November 1947 and remained a prominent public partnership until Philip’s death in April 2021. They were married for 73 years. The couple raised four children: Charles, Andrew, Edward and Anne. Their family expanded to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren who feature in the contemporary royal line of succession.

Her household and official life included stewardship of several royal properties, most notably Balmoral Castle in Scotland and Sandringham House in England, and a known interest in the Royal Philatelic Collection. Reported possessions and state vehicles formed part of the public record around her role as monarch.

Personal life and character

A practicing Christian, Elizabeth regularly referenced her faith in public addresses and annual Christmas broadcasts, framing it as a personal anchor and source of moral guidance. She was widely described as a steadying presence through decades of social and political change, working with multiple British prime ministers over the course of her reign.

Friends and family called her by affectionate nicknames, and she maintained a mixture of private routine and highly visible ceremonial responsibility. She was described as having blue eyes and grey hair in later years, and personal tastes that ranged from particular foods to favorite films and TV programs.

Death and legacy

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at the age of 96. Her death marked the end of a 70-year reign and the transition to a new generation of royal leadership. She is remembered for the longevity of her service, her role in modernizing aspects of the monarchy, and her steady public presence across vast social and political change.

Latest updates

Her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 celebrated 70 years on the throne, a milestone that underscored the length and continuity of her reign. Tributes and commemorations following her death highlighted both her private life as a wife, mother and grandmother and her public role as head of state and Head of the Commonwealth.
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Recent Work

Platinum Jubilee

Celebration marking 70 years on the throne in 2022.

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952; coronation on 2 June 1953
  2. Celebrated Silver, Golden, Diamond, Sapphire and Platinum Jubilees
  3. Served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II
  4. Head of the Commonwealth and monarch of multiple Commonwealth realms
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Net Worth

$500 million (approx., as of 2021)

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Queen Elizabeth II born?

21 April 1926

What is Queen Elizabeth II known for?

Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; Head of the Commonwealth

What is Queen Elizabeth II’s marital status?

Widow

Who is Queen Elizabeth II married to?

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (died 9 April 2021)

What is Queen Elizabeth II’s net worth?

$500 million (approx., as of 2021)