Sophie Dahl is a British writer, former fashion model, and television presenter. Born in London in 1977, she first gained public attention as a plus-size model in the late 1990s and later built a career as a bestselling author of books for both adults and children. She is also the granddaughter of the celebrated children’s author Roald Dahl.
Her professional path moved from fashion runways to kitchen sets and library shelves. Dahl hosted two prime-time BBC cooking shows, published multiple books, and became an ambassador for the mental health charity Place2Be. Today she lives in the English countryside with her husband, jazz musician Jamie Cullum, and their two daughters.
Is Sophie Dahl related to Roald Dahl?
Yes, Sophie Dahl is the granddaughter of Roald Dahl, the author of classics such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda. Her mother, Loïse Dahl, was Roald Dahl’s daughter. The character Sophie in The BFG was named after her.
- Born: 15 September 1977 (age 47)
- Occupation: Writer, former fashion model, TV presenter
- Notable for: Granddaughter of Roald Dahl; bestselling author of The Man with the Dancing Eyes and other books
- Spouse: Jamie Cullum (m. 2010), two daughters
- Sophie Dahl is primarily known as a writer and food TV host, but originally rose to fame as a plus-size model in the late 1990s.
- Her family connection to Roald Dahl is the most searched aspect, yet she has built an independent career across multiple creative fields.
- She transitioned from modeling to writing with a series of well-received books, including children’s literature.
- She is married to jazz musician Jamie Cullum, and they have two daughters.
- She was discovered at age 19 by stylist Isabella Blow, and her first modelling job was photographed by Nick Knight.
- Dahl served as a contributing editor at British Vogue for ten years.
- She is an ambassador for Place2Be, a UK mental health charity for schools.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sophie Dahl (née Holloway) |
| Date of Birth | 15 September 1977 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) per some sources; other reliable sources cite 6′ (1.83 m) |
| Spouse | Jamie Cullum (married 2010) |
| Children | Two daughters: Lyra (born 2011) and Margot (born 2013) |
| Grandfather | Roald Dahl (author) |
| Notable Works | The Man with the Dancing Eyes, Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights, Madame Badobedah |
What is Sophie Dahl known for?
Sophie Dahl built her public profile in three distinct areas: modelling, writing, and television presenting. Each phase has added to her reputation as a versatile creative figure.
Modelling career
Discovered by Isabella Blow in 1996, Dahl began modelling at age 19. Her first assignment was shot by Nick Knight. She quickly became known as one of the industry’s tallest and most recognisable models. Throughout her career she typically wore a size 14, which earned her the label “Britain’s Largest Model” and made her an early advocate for body diversity in fashion. She appeared in American Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Sunday Times, and spent a decade as a contributing editor at British Vogue.
Writing career
Dahl is the author of four books for adults and four for children. Her debut, an illustrated novella titled The Man With The Dancing Eyes (2003), became a Sunday Times bestseller. Her first full novel, Playing With The Grown-Ups (2007), received critical acclaim. She followed with two cookbooks: Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights (2009, another Sunday Times bestseller) and From Season To Season (2011). For younger readers she created the Madame Badobedah series, starting in 2019. A fourth children’s book, Madame Badobedah Sets Sail, is scheduled for autumn 2027. Dahl is currently working on her sixth book overall.
Television and advocacy
In 2010 Dahl hosted The Delicious Miss Dahl on BBC Two, a cooking show built around seasonal food and storytelling. A year later she presented a documentary about the Victorian domestic advisor Isabella Beeton. Beyond media, she serves as an ambassador for Place2Be, a charity that provides mental health support in UK schools.
At a time when fashion models were expected to be very slim, Dahl’s size 14 figure and confident public image challenged industry norms. She has spoken openly about self-acceptance and healthy body image, and continues to be cited as an early influence on the body positivity movement.
What are Sophie Dahl’s personal details?
Sophie Dahl’s physical characteristics and early life have attracted considerable public curiosity, in part because of her link to Roald Dahl’s The BFG.
Height and appearance
Dahl is notably tall. Multiple authoritative sources list her height at 6′ (1.83 m), making her one of the tallest fashion models in history. Some biographies, however, give a slightly lower figure of around 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m). The exact measurement is not uniformly reported across all records.
Early life
Born on 15 September 1977 in London, Dahl is the daughter of actor Julian Holloway and former model Loïse Dahl, who is Roald Dahl’s daughter. As a child, she won an award for being the “Most enthusiastic swimmer” in her swimming class at age five. The character Sophie in The BFG was named after her, directly linking her childhood to her grandfather’s literary legacy.
Sophie Dahl married jazz singer Jamie Cullum on 9 January 2010. They have two daughters: Lyra (born 2011) and Margot (born 2013). The family lives in the countryside with a rescue dog, cats, guinea pigs, and a tortoise. Dahl continues to work as a writer and charity ambassador while raising her children.
Sophie Dahl’s exact net worth is not verifiable. No authoritative source publishes a confirmed figure, and estimates found online are speculative. Her income is believed to come from book royalties, past modelling contracts, and television appearances, but specific amounts are not disclosed.
What is the timeline of Sophie Dahl’s life and career?
The following chronological list marks key milestones in her personal and professional life.
- 1977 – Born in London.
- 1996 – Discovered by Isabella Blow and begins modelling career.
- 2003 – Publishes first book, The Man With The Dancing Eyes.
- 2007 – Releases first novel, Playing With The Grown-Ups.
- 2009 – Cookbook Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights becomes a Sunday Times bestseller.
- 2010 – Marries Jamie Cullum; hosts BBC Two series The Delicious Miss Dahl.
- 2011 – Birth of first daughter Lyra; second cookbook From Season To Season published.
- 2013 – Birth of second daughter Margot.
- 2019 – First children’s book Madame Badobedah is published.
- 2023 – Madame Badobedah and The Old Bones released.
- 2027 (forthcoming) – Madame Badobedah Sets Sail expected.
What is known and unknown about Sophie Dahl?
While many details of Sophie Dahl’s life are well documented, some aspects remain unconfirmed or private.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| She is the granddaughter of Roald Dahl, confirmed by multiple authoritative sources. | Exact net worth is not publicly verifiable. |
| She worked as a fashion model and later became a writer and TV presenter. | Details about her early modelling contract terms are not publicly confirmed. |
| She married Jamie Cullum in 2010 and has two daughters, Lyra and Margot. | Current projects beyond 2023 are not widely reported. |
| Her height is reported as approximately 5 ft 9 in to 6 ft, with variation across sources. | No authoritative source provides a detailed breakdown of her personal finances. |
How did Sophie Dahl navigate her family legacy and career change?
Sophie Dahl’s public identity has always been shaped by two forces: her famous grandfather and her own diverse talents. The Roald Dahl connection brought early attention, but she carved a separate path first as a model and then as a writer. Her move from fashion to food writing and children’s literature shows a deliberate shift toward creative work that reflected her interests in home cooking, storytelling, and family life.
In media, Dahl successfully pivoted to television with cooking shows that emphasised seasonal ingredients and personal narrative. Her ambassadorship with Place2Be adds a philanthropic dimension to her profile, focusing on mental health in schools. Rather than being defined solely by her lineage, she has built a career that stands on its own merits.
What do authoritative sources say about Sophie Dahl?
“She is the granddaughter of the author Roald Dahl.”
– Wikipedia entry for Sophie Dahl
“Bestselling author of four books for adults and four for children.”
– Sophie Dahl’s official website
“Ambassador to @_place2be.”
– Instagram biography of Sophie Dahl
What is Sophie Dahl doing now?
Sophie Dahl continues to write, with a sixth book in progress and a new children’s title scheduled for 2027. She remains an ambassador for Place2Be and an active voice in food writing and body positivity advocacy. Updates on her work appear on her official website and social media channels. For more on another fashion industry figure, see the biography of Christie Brinkley.
Frequently asked questions about Sophie Dahl
How old is Sophie Dahl?
Sophie Dahl was born on 15 September 1977, making her 47 years old as of 2025.
What is Sophie Dahl’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly available. Authoritative sources do not provide a confirmed figure.
Did Sophie Dahl write any children’s books?
Yes, she has written four children’s books, including the Madame Badobedah series starting in 2019.
Is Sophie Dahl on social media?
Yes, she maintains an Instagram account under the handle @mssophiedahl, where she shares personal and professional updates.
What TV shows has Sophie Dahl hosted?
She hosted The Delicious Miss Dahl (BBC Two, 2010) and a documentary about Isabella Beeton (2011).
Sources
Sources: Wikipedia – Sophie Dahl | Sophie Dahl Official Website | Place2Be Charity | Walker Books Author Page | IMDB – Sophie Dahl | Catwalk Yourself Biography
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Jonathan Whitfield is Editor-in-Chief at readingwire.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions. He writes occasional leader columns and major news stories.