Quote of the day by Jamie Lee Curtis about Princess Diana: ‘And I remember sitting there and thinking about Diana’s life. She learned to live...’ What the actress realised about life and love

Some moments of grief can make people pause and reflect on what truly matters in life. For Jamie Lee Curtis, Princess Diana’s death became one such moment, prompting the actress to think about courage, compassion and the way a person chooses to live. In an interview with Variety, Curtis recalled sitting on her bed after Diana’s death and reflecting on the late royal’s life. Her thoughts eventually led her to a powerful lesson about living wisely and loving deeply.

Jamie Lee Curtis’ reflection on Princess Diana

Curtis remembered Diana’s courage during some of the most difficult moments of her life. She reflected on Princess Diana leaving her marriage, her response during the AIDS crisis and her decision to reach out to people who were often feared or stigmatised. Curtis remembered Diana walking through minefields and the risks she took in bringing attention to humanitarian causes. Reflecting on all of this, Curtis said she thought: “She learned to live wisely. And yeah, she loved well.” Curtis added that the thought has stayed with her.

Quote of the day by Jamie Lee Curtis

Quote of the day by Jamie Lee Curtis, "And I remember sitting there and thinking about Diana’s life... And I thought, ‘She learned to live wisely. And yeah, she loved well.' That has stayed with me."

The book that made Curtis reflect on life and death

According to Variety, the day Princess Diana died, Curtis was at home with her husband of 41 years, Christopher Guest. Instead of continuing to watch television coverage of the crash and the tunnel where Diana was killed, Curtis switched off the TV and picked up a book given to her by a friend. The opening pages presented two questions that Curtis found particularly meaningful. They asked whether a person had learned to live wisely and whether they had loved well. Those questions became connected in Curtis’ mind with Diana’s life and the way she had chosen to use her public position.

The spiritual lesson behind the quote

Curtis’ reflection goes beyond Princess Diana herself. The questions she encountered in Kornfield’s book offer a way of thinking about life through two simple ideas: wisdom and love. Her observation about Diana suggests that a meaningful life is not necessarily measured by fame, status or longevity, but by how a person responds to difficult circumstances and how they treat others.

For Curtis, Diana’s actions during the AIDS crisis, her humanitarian work and her willingness to step into uncomfortable situations became part of that reflection. The actress’ words, “She learned to live wisely. And yeah, she loved well,” have therefore remained with her as a personal reminder.

About Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis is an American actress, producer and children’s author, widely known for her work in horror, comedy and drama. She made her screen debut in the television series Quincy, M.E. in 1977 before making her film debut as Laurie Strode in John Carpenter’s Halloween in 1978. The role established Curtis as a prominent figure in the horror genre, earning her the enduring “scream queen” association.

She later became known for films including Trading Places, True Lies, A Fish Called Wanda, Freaky Friday, Knives Out and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Curtis has also received a BAFTA Award, Primetime Emmy Award and multiple Golden Globe Awards during her career. Her later film credits include The Last Showgirl and Freakier Friday, while she has also written several children’s books that have appeared on The New York Times bestseller list.