Wendy Beckett

About

Religious sister and art historian who was more commonly known by her stage name Sister Wendy. She grew internationally known for being the host of several BBC art history documentaries throughout the 1990s, including Sister Wendy's Grand Tour, Saints with Sister Wendy, and Sister Wendy's American Collection. She published several books throughout her lifetime, such as Contemporary Women Artists and The Christ Journey. She was offered the chance to present her first documentary after a film crew overheard her remarks while attending an art exhibit and submitted their recording to a BBC producer.

Before Fame

She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur congregation in the year 1946. Before relocating to England due to health complications, she served as superior of her convent and taught at the University of the Witwatersrand in her home country of South Africa. She made her first appearance in a BBC documentary in 1992, with Sister Wendy's Odyssey.

Trivia

She inspired the 2008 musical Postcards from God: The Sister Wendy Musical, which was performed at both the Jermyn Street Theatre and the Hackney Empire Studio Theatre in London. Several of her documentaries, including Odyssey and Grand Tour, elicited over 25% of the viewing audience in England. 

Family Life

She was the daughter of Dorothy and Aubrey Beckett. She passed away on December 26, 2018, at the age of 88.

Associated With

She appeared on several episodes of Charlie Rose following her introduction to the public eye in 1992. She also co-presented the program Sister Wendy in Conversation with Bill Moyers.