Finding fame as a top model in the 1960s, Joanna Lumley cemented herself as an icon before her 30th birthday, when she accepted the role of Purdey in 1976's The New Avengers.
Pioneering the 70s hairstyle known as the "Purdey bob", Joanna was beloved for her style and later, in the 90s, for her portrayal of fashion director Patsy Stone in the hit BBC comedy Absolutely Fabulous, alongside Jennifer Saunders.
Joining Lucy Punch in the hilariously funny Motherland spin-off, Amandaland, she continues to trailblaze and defy age barriers in show business, still working decades after her debut.
On the day of her 80th birthday, Best Quality Designer Handbag Is taking a look back at her illustrious career over the years and her personal life with her husband, Stephen Barlow and her son, Jamie.
© Getty ImagesModelling days
Joanna first started modelling when she started at Britain's top modelling agency during the 1950s and 1960s, aged 17, the Lucie Clayton Finishing School in London.
She worked for three years as a photographic model and spent time posing for Jean Muir as the designer's muse and house model.
© Mirrorpix via Getty ImagesA working mum
When she turned 21, Joanna welcomed her one and only child, Jamie, while continuing to work as a model.
She fell pregnant while she was dating photographer Michael Claydon, and raised Jamie as a single mother. He is now 58 and works as a photographer.
© Getty ImagesPosing with Rod Stewart
Before her big acting break, Joanna continued modelling and earned herself a spot as one of the most famous pretty faces in the country.
In 1974, she started dating musician Rod Stewart and the pair posed together in her garden at her Kensington home.
© Getty ImagesThe New Avengers
In 1976, Joanna joined the cast of The New Avengers and became a household name. She starred alongside Patrick Macnee and Gareth Hunt.
© TV Times/Future Publishing via GSapphire & Steel
Joanna played the titular role, Sapphire, in the 1979–1982 fantasy series Sapphire & Steel opposite her co-star David McCallum.
© Getty ImagesJoanna marries Stephen
The model and actress tied the knot with her conductor husband, Stephen Barlow, in Scotland in October 1986.
Together for nearly four decades, the couple were introduced by a mutual friend and wed after a long period of dating.
© Getty ImagesAbsolutely Fabulous
In the 90s, she starred in BBC's hit show Absolutely Fabulous and won multiple BAFTAs for her performance of the beloved character Patsy and her electric dynamic with Jennifer.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesActivism
Away from the spotlight, Joanna is a passionate activist renowned for her advocacy on behalf of human rights, animal welfare, and environmental conservation.
She is best known for her work on the Gurkha Justice Campaign in 2008, using her public profile to pressure the British government into granting settlement rights to thousands of retired Gurkha veterans who had served in the British Army.
She works closely with other organisations such as Compassion in World Farming and the Born Free Foundation.
© BBC/Merman/Natalie SeeryAmandaland
She made her return to BBC fictional series when she starred as Amanda's glamorous mum on the spin-off show that focused on some of the characters' lives away from the Sharon Horgan creation, Motherland.
The show is due to return for a second series in May 2026.
