Dahl Family Genealogy & History

Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was a celebrated British author renowned for his children's literature and short stories. Known for works like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Matilda," and "James and the Giant Peach," Dahl's stories often feature dark humor and unexpected twists. A World War II RAF fighter ace and intelligence officer, Dahl's writing career soared in the 1940s, earning him accolades like the 1983 World Fantasy Award and the 1990 British Book Awards' Children's Author of the Year. In 2008, The Times named him one of "The 50 Greatest British Writers Since 1945." Forbes ranked him the top-earning deceased celebrity in 2021.

Roald Dahl was born in Wales to affluent Norwegian immigrants, Harald and Sofie Magdalene Dahl. His father, a wealthy shipbroker from Sarpsborg, Norway, settled in Cardiff in the 1880s. Dahl's mother belonged to a prominent Norwegian family with ties to lawyers and merchants. His early life was marked by tragedy with the deaths of his sister Astri and his father in 1920. Despite this, his mother chose to stay in Wales, honoring her husband's wish for their children to be educated in English schools.

Sophie Dahl, born Sophie Holloway on 15 September 1977, is an acclaimed English author and former fashion model. She gained recognition for her bestselling illustrated novella, "The Man with the Dancing Eyes" in 2003, and authored several books including "Playing With the Grown-ups" and cookbooks like "Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights." Her children's book, "Madame Badobedah," was released in 2019, gaining nominations and awards. A notable figure in fashion, Dahl modeled for prominent brands like Versace and appeared on covers of major magazines such as Vogue and Elle.

Sophie Dahl is the daughter of actor Julian Holloway and writer Tessa Dahl, and the granddaughter of the renowned author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal. Her paternal lineage includes actor Stanley Holloway, indicating a strong family connection to the performing arts. Sophie's childhood was marked by frequent moves and diverse experiences, living in places like London, New York, and India.

Arlene Carol Dahl was a renowned American actress, author, and entrepreneur, born on August 11, 1925. She gained fame in the late 1940s, starring in MGM films like "My Wild Irish Rose" and "The Bride Goes Wild." Her transition to adventure films included notable roles in "Caribbean Gold" and "Desert Legion." Beyond acting, Dahl founded Arlene Dahl Enterprises and Dahlia, a fragrance company, and wrote a syndicated astrology column, alongside several books on beauty and astrology. Despite bankruptcy in 1981, her career spanned various facets of entertainment and business.

Dahl was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Idelle and Rudolph Dahl, both of Norwegian descent. Her father was a Ford Motor dealer and executive, and her mother was active in local amateur theater, influencing Dahl's early interest in the arts.

Olivia Twenty Dahl, born on April 20, 1955, was the eldest daughter of renowned author Roald Dahl and American actress Patricia Neal. Tragically, Olivia passed away at the age of seven due to encephalitis caused by measles, which had no vaccine at the time. Her death profoundly impacted her father, leading him to advocate for vaccination and dedicate his books "James and the Giant Peach" and "The BFG" to her. Olivia's untimely death also influenced Neal's work, resulting in her insisting that the character she played in "The Waltons" was named Olivia.

Olivia was born in New York City and spent her early years in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. Her parents, Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal, were prominent figures in literature and film. Olivia had siblings Theo, Tessa, Ophelia, and Lucy. Her family faced immense grief after her passing, with Roald becoming increasingly withdrawn and Neal finding solace in speaking about Olivia. Despite the tragedy, Olivia's legacy continued through her family's dedication to vaccination advocacy and charitable contributions in her memory.