Susan Snowdon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dame Susan Snowdon, DCVO (born 1 April 1951) is a former teacher and magistrate. She is the current Lord Lieutenant of Durham and the first woman to hold that post.[1][2]
Dame Susan Snowdon | |
|---|---|
Snowdon in 2022 | |
| Lord Lieutenant of Durham | |
| Assumed office 2013 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Preceded by | Sir Paul Nicholson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 April 1951 |
| Spouse | Keith Snowdon |
| Profession | teacher |
Early life
Snowdon was born on 1 April 1951. Her father was a shop-keeper.[2]
Career
Snowdon was a primary school teacher in Chilton and Ferryhill, County Durham. In 1989, in order to advance her career and become a deputy head teacher, she underwent a medical. This showed that her aortic valve "had completely perished" and she required immediate surgery to prevent her death by Christmas of that year. The surgery, in which a metal valve was successfully fitted, saved her life. However, such a major health issue meant that she could no longer teach.[2]
On 3 August 2006, she was commissioned a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) in the County of Durham.[3] On 8 March 2013, she was appointed Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, becoming the Queen's representative in the county.[4] She succeeded Sir Paul Nicholson to become the county's 30th Lord Lieutenant.[2] Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, she remained in her position but as the King’s representative in county Durham.
Snowdon was appointed a Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO) in the 2025 Birthday Honours.[5]