Who is Kelly Fisher? Meet Dodi Al-Fayed’s Love Interest Before Princess Diana!

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: Denise | In Affair , Couple , Engagement

Kelly Fisher was Dodi Al-Fayed's ex-fiancee. source: People

Dodi Fayed was involved with Kelly Fisher when he first met Princess Diana.
In The Crown season 5, Erin Richards plays Kelly, with the Netflix drama depicting her in a romance with the billionaire.
What ended Dodi and Kelly’s engagement?

Table of Contents

Were Kelly Fisher and Dodi Al-Fayed engaged?

Dodi Al-Fayed made global headlines when he started dating Princess Diana in 1997. However, the royal wasn’t the only woman Dodi had in his life.

Before romancing the People’s Princess, Al-Fayed had a serious relationship with model Kelly Fisher. Fans were eager to know more about the American-born model after Erin Richards played her role in The Crown season 5.

Richards also reprises her role in season 6 of the hit Netflix series, where she confronts her ex-fiance as he continues his romance with Diana.

So, who was the woman who stole Dodi’s heart, shortly before his romance with Diana took the world by storm?

Also, Read Who was Mohamed Al-Fayed? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Dodi Al-Fayed’s Father!

Kelly Fisher had a successful modeling career

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Kelly and her family lived there for many years before relocating to Toronto for her father’s job, she told Aiken Woman.

After being discovered as a teen in Toronto, she started modeling during summer breaks. After high school, she went to college for just two semesters. She dropped out to focus on her modeling career full-time.

She worked for brands like Armani, La Perla, and Victoria’s Secret.

Did Dodi cheat on Kelly with Diana?

Kelly first met Dodi in July 1996 in Paris. They quickly got together. She claimed that Dodi started dating the princess while they were still together.

Vanity Fair later reported that Kelly would wait for Dodi on one of his yachts while he romanced Diana on another yacht.

Kelly Fisher (2) — Dodi reportedly cheated on Fisher with Diana. source: People

Fisher allegedly didn’t know the heir was having an affair with Diana until The Sunday published pics of the couple sharing a smooch.

Kelly’s attorney claimed that Fisher and Al-Fayed were set to marry on August 9, 1997, with Dodi proposing a large sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

Dodi’s family denied his engagement with Kelly

Dodi’s father, Mohamed Al-Fayed reportedly bashed Kelly and called her a “hooker” and a “gold digger.” In a statement released by the billionaire family, they claimed that Dodi knew Fisher but never proposed to her.

Kelly’s family stood by her with her mother, Judith Dunaway, even claiming that he asked for permission to marry her daughter in November 1996 when the couple attended the model’s sister’s wedding.

Dunaway said,

“No one’s daughter deserves to be treated as my daughter was. Kelly loved him, trusted him and has been treated very cruelly by him. Dodi Fayed should be ashamed.”

Why did Fisher sue Dodi Al-Fayed?

Days after Dodi and Diana’s kissing pictures went all over the papers, Kelly sued Dodi for breach of contract, alleging that his leaving her for Princess Diana violated their marriage agreement.

In the lawsuit, Kelly claimed that the billionaire offered her half a million dollars to end her modeling career and spend time with him. However, he only gave her $60,000 and a $200,000 check that bounced.

Kelly Fisher — Kelly showed her engagement ring during the lawsuit. source: People

Her legal team sought the remaining $440,000 of the alleged balance, plus damages.

During the August 1997 press conference, a sad and tearful Kelly’s attorney told the reporters,

“Mr. Fayed needs to take responsibility for the woman that he ‘left at the altar’ and treated with such total disrespect. He threw her love away in a callous way with no regard for her whatsoever.”

Kelly dropped the lawsuit after Dodi’s tragic death

Just days after the lawsuit, Dodi and Diana were killed in a car crash after a catastrophic car chase. After that, the model dropped the lawsuit.

Allred said in a statement,

“Out of respect for the tragedy, and tremendous loss the Fayed family has suffered, she has authorized me as her attorney, to dismiss her lawsuit against Mr Fayed. Although she does have the legal right to pursue the lawsuit against his estate after his death, she has voluntarily chosen not to exercise that right.”

She added,

“Kelly loved Dodi very much, and she is devastated by his loss, and that of Princess Diana. Nothing is more important than the life of a human being. In the light of this enormous tragedy, Kelly forgives Dodi for all of his past injustices against her.”

Kelly remained absent from Dodi’s funeral on Sept. 1, 1997. It was reported that she wanted to attend his memorial services but it happened so fast that she could not reach London in time.

Also, Read All The Details About Princess Diana’s Engagement and Wedding Dress!

Disclaimer Statement: Married Biography's editors wrote and updated all of this data based on their best knowledge and understanding. If any mistakes are found, please use our email to report this content and images.