Diana Rigg
Celebrity System
Dame Diana Rigg (1938–2020) was a distinguished English actress whose career spanned six decades across stage, film, and television. She first achieved international stardom in the 1960s as the witty and athletic secret agent Emma Peel in the television series “The Avengers”. Her portrayal of Peel turned her into a cultural icon and a feminist icon of the era, particularly after she successfully fought for equal pay upon discovering she earned less than the show’s cameramen.
In film, she is celebrated as the only woman to have married James Bond on screen, playing Tracy di Vicenzo in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Later in her career, she captivated a new generation of fans as the acerbic Lady Olenna Tyrell in HBO’s “Game of Thrones”, a role that earned her multiple Emmy nominations.
Rigg was also a formidable force in theatre, beginning her career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She won a Tony Award for her title role in Medea and was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1994 for her services to drama. Known for her commanding presence and sharp wit, she remained active in her craft until her death at age 82.
We have a photo of Diana Rigg from the 1960s, at home listening to music on a Braun “Audio 1” (also known as a Model TC 40) Hi-Fi system.
Diana Rigg’s Home Hi-Fi System
The Braun Audio 1, designed by Dieter Rams, stands as a landmark of mid-century industrial design. By integrating a record player, radio, and amplifier into a single sleek unit, Rams broke away from the bulky, furniture-style electronics of the era, opting instead for a compact and functional aesthetic.
This system is the physical embodiment of Rams’ “less, but better” philosophy. Every element is stripped of unnecessary ornamentation, prioritizing a logical layout and intuitive user experience. Its neutral tones and geometric precision ensure that it remains as visually relevant today as it was decades ago.
Now a highly prized collectible, the Audio 1’s influence remains visible in modern technology—most notably in the minimalist design language of companies like Apple. It remains a masterclass in how “less” can truly result in a more profound and lasting impact.
In the background, behind Diana Rigg, you can see a Braun L450 speaker, a simple 2-way speaker equipped with a 5 inch woofer and a 1.3 inch tweeter.
If you’d like to read more, Braun Audio has a website dedicated to their classic systems from the 60s and 70s; just click this link: https://braunaudio.de/en/
