Rosalind Hicks was the only child of the famous mystery writer Agatha Christie. She was born on August 5, 1919, and died on October 28, 2004, at the age of 85. She was a devoted guardian of her mother’s privacy and artistic integrity, and a key figure in the preservation and promotion of Christie’s literary legacy. In this article, we will explore Rosalind Hicks’ life, her relationship with her mother, and her cause of death.
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Rosalind Hicks’ Early Years
Rosalind Hicks was born in Ashfield, Torquay, Devon, in her grandmother’s home. Her father, Archie Christie, was a military officer who married Agatha Christie in 1914. Rosalind was named after her maternal grandmother, Clarissa Miller, who died in 1926. This was a traumatic event for Agatha, who soon faced another crisis when her husband confessed his affair with his secretary, Nancy Neele. Agatha disappeared for 11 days in December 1926, sparking a nationwide search and a media frenzy. She was eventually found in a hotel in Yorkshire, where she had registered as Neele. She never spoke to Rosalind about the incident, and divorced Archie in 1928. He married Neele and had a son, Archibald, in 1930.
Agatha remarried in 1930 to Max Mallowan, an archaeologist. Rosalind was 11 years old at the time, and had a close bond with her stepfather. Agatha dedicated her novel, The Murder at the Vicarage, to Rosalind in 1930. Rosalind studied at Benenden School and finished her education in Switzerland and France. She spent much of her time at Greenway Estate, a country house in Devon that Agatha bought in 1938.
Rosalind Hicks’ Marriage and Family
Rosalind Hicks married Major Hubert Prichard, a soldier, in 1940. They had a son, Mathew, in 1943. However, their happiness was short-lived, as Hubert died in the Battle of Normandy in 1944. Rosalind remarried in 1949 to Anthony Hicks, a lawyer. They lived in Greenway Estate until Rosalind’s death. Rosalind and Anthony had a harmonious marriage and shared a passion for gardening and wildlife. They also supported various charitable causes, such as the Devon Wildlife Trust and the National Trust.
Rosalind Hicks was a loving mother and grandmother. She had a strong bond with her son, Mathew, who inherited his grandmother’s talent for writing and music. Mathew became a successful journalist and publisher, and founded the Agatha Christie Trust, a charitable organization that supports arts and education. He also donated Greenway Estate to the National Trust in 2000. Rosalind had four grandchildren: James, Lucy, Charlotte, and Alice. James Prichard is the current chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Limited, the company that manages the rights to Christie’s works.
Rosalind Hicks’ Role in Agatha Christie’s Legacy
Rosalind Hicks was a loyal and protective daughter of Agatha Christie. She respected her mother’s wishes and guarded her privacy from the public and the press. She also defended her mother’s reputation from any misrepresentations or intrusions. She was involved in the publication of Christie’s autobiography in 1977, which she helped edit with her husband. She also inherited 36% of Agatha Christie Limited and the copyrights to Christie’s play A Daughter’s a Daughter.
Rosalind Hicks played a crucial role in the adaptation and promotion of Christie’s works. She approved and supervised the iconic TV adaptations of Poirot and Miss Marple, starring David Suchet and Joan Hickson, respectively. She also endorsed the stage productions of The Mousetrap, Witness for the Prosecution, and Spider’s Web. She collaborated with various publishers, producers, and directors to ensure that Christie’s works were faithfully and respectfully presented to the audiences.
Rosalind Hicks’ cause of death was natural. She died peacefully in her home in Torbay, Devon, on October 28, 2004. She was survived by her husband, who died six months later, her son, and her grandchildren. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the garden of Greenway Estate, where she had spent many happy years with her family.
Rosalind Hicks was a remarkable woman who lived a rich and fulfilling life. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, and a diligent custodian of her mother’s legacy. She left behind a lasting impression on the millions of fans of Agatha Christie, who continue to enjoy and appreciate her works to this day. Rosalind Hicks’ cause of death was not tragic, but rather a natural end to a long and fruitful life. She will always be remembered as Agatha Christie’s daughter, and much more.
