Diana was born into one of Great Britain's oldest and most important families- The Spencers. They had been very closely allied to The Royal Family of Wales for more than 500 years and were considered close family friends.

     Diana's parents were Edward John Spencer (Johnnie) and Frances Roche. The couple first had two daughters, Sarah and Jane, but they desperately wanted a son to carry on the Spencer name and responsiblilities. After losing one male child, Frances got pregnant again. The Spencers were so eager to have a son that they didnt even think about girl names, but sure enough, on July 1, 1961, Frances gave birth to yet another girl--Diana Frances Spencer. Eventually the couple got the son they longed for, but Diana felt unwanted. Though she knew her parents loved her, she felt that they were dissapointed that she wasn't a boy. Despite the priviledge and fortune that the Spencer family had, Diana's childhood was full of unhappiness and conflict. Her older sisters were always away at boarding school and her parents were preoccupied as well. The task of raising Diana and her brother Charles (who she became very close with) was often left to nannies, maids and tutors. 

        The relationship between the Spencer parents had been crumbling since the loss of their child, so in 1968, they decided to divorce and Johnnie was given full custody of the children. Each eventually got remarried later in life. After the divorce, Diana left her local school and was sent to Riddlesworth Hall, an all- girls boarding school. There she made some friends and developed a reputation as the kind girl who loved to help others. Diana liked animals as well, winning prizes in school for taking the best care of her pet guinea pig. One thing she did not like was school. She was frustrated by her studies only truly enjoying music and art class. Unlike her academics, Diana shined in athletics. She played tennis, netball (basketball), field hockey, and especially loved swimming and diving.

    At the age of 13 Diana's life changed drastically. Her 83 year old grandfather passesd away.Upon his death, Diana's father bcame the 8th Earl Spencer and inherited his estate of Althropin Northamptonshire, England. Diana also received a title becoming Lady Diana Spencer. Her family moved to the estate

and changed schools as well to West Health. This boarding school to Diana, was not much better than the last. Diana mainly found interesting the required volunteer work. She cared for and helped the elderly, and attended charity events for the disabled. She felt a great amount of accomplishment from helping others.

     At age 16, Diana's family enrolled her in finishing school at Institut Alpin Vidamanette in Switzerland. She did not enjoy this school either. Diana was one of the only English-speaking students there and most all of the others spoke French. She despised the school. Finally, after much begging, Diana was able to come home.

          At age 18, Diana's family bought her her own a flat (apartment) in South Kensington in London. She lived with her three other friends rememberng these days as some of the best in her life. The girls partied, laughed, and had loads of fun. 

         Eventually, even though she didn't need money, Diana wanted to get a job. She frequently worked as a housekeeper for close friends, and babysat small children, but she was very excited when her sister told her about a teacher's assistant job opening at a kindergarten school. There she really discovered her talent and love of working with children.