Barbara Cartland

English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

Barbara Cartland was an English writer known as the ‘Queen of Romance’ who published over 700 romance novels, many of which were adapted for television. She was one of the best-selling authors of the 20th century, with her books translated into numerous languages and selling over 750 million copies worldwide.

Table of Contents

Family Info

Siblings

Ronald Cartland

James Anthony Cartland

Spouses

Alexander McCorquodale

Hugh McCorquodale

Children

Raine Spencer, Countess Spencer

Ian Hamilton McCorquodale

Glen McCorquodale

About the Barbara Cartland

Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland, (9 July 1901 – 21 May 2000), known as the Queen of Romance, was an English writer who published both contemporary and historical romance novels, the latter set primarily during the Victorian or Edwardian period. Cartland is one of the best-selling authors worldwide of the 20th century.

Many of her novels have been adapted into films for television including A Hazard of Hearts, A Ghost in Monte Carlo and Duel of Hearts.

Her novels have been translated from English into numerous languages, making Cartland the fifth most translated author worldwide, excluding biblical works. Her prolific output totals some 723 novels.

Although best known for her romantic novels, she also wrote non-fiction titles including biographies, plays, music, verse, drama, operettas, and several health and cook books. She also contributed advice to TV audiences and newspaper magazine articles.

She sold more than 750 million copies of her books, though other sources estimate her total sales at more than two billion. The covers of her novels featured portrait-style artwork, usually designed by Francis Marshall (1901-1980).

Cartland was also a businesswoman who was head of Cartland Promotions. She was a London society figure, often dressed in a pink chiffon gown, a plumed hat, blonde wig, and heavy make-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barbara Cartland was an English writer who was known as the ‘Queen of Romance’. She published over 723 romance novels, many of which were set during the Victorian or Edwardian period.

Barbara Cartland’s prolific output totaled some 723 novels, making her one of the best-selling authors of the 20th century.

In addition to her famous romance novels, Barbara Cartland also wrote non-fiction titles including biographies, plays, music, verse, drama, operettas, and several health and cook books.

Barbara Cartland sold more than 750 million copies of her books, though some sources estimate her total sales at more than two billion copies.

Many of Barbara Cartland’s novels have been adapted into films for television, including ‘A Hazard of Hearts’, ‘A Ghost in Monte Carlo’, and ‘Duel of Hearts’.

Barbara Cartland’s novels have been translated from English into numerous languages, making her the fifth most translated author worldwide, excluding biblical works.

Barbara Cartland was known for her distinctive style, often dressing in a pink chiffon gown, a plumed hat, a blonde wig, and heavy makeup, and was a prominent figure in London society.

11 Quotes by Barbara Cartland

  1. 1.

    A woman should say: “Have I made him happy? Is he satisfied? Does he love me more than he loved me before? Is he likely to go to bed with another woman?” If he does, then it’s the wife’s fault because she is not trying to make him happy.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  2. 2.

    Among men, sex sometimes results in intimacy; among women, intimacy sometimes results in sex.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  3. 3.

    The right diet directs sexual energy into the parts that matter.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  4. 4.

    I have always found women difficult. I don’t really understand them. To begin with, few women tell the truth.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  5. 5.

    France is the only place where you can make love in the afternoon without people hammering on your door.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  6. 6.

    A woman asking “Am I good? Am I satisfied?” is extremely selfish. The less women fuss about themselves, the less they talk to other women, the more they try to please their husbands, the happier the marriage is going to be.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  7. 7.

    A historical romance is the only kind of book where chastity really counts.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  8. 8.

    After forty a woman has to choose between losing her figure or her face. My advice is to keep your face, and stay sitting down.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  9. 9.

    I’ll keep going till my face falls off.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  10. 10.

    To sleep around is absolutely wrong for a woman; it’s degrading and it completely ruins her personality. Sooner or later it will destroy all that is feminine and beautiful and idealistic in her.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)

  11. 11.

    As long as the plots keep arriving from outer space, I’ll go on with my virgins.

    Barbara Cartland

    English writer and media personality (1901-2000)