A TRIBUTE TO HIS LIFE
Sir
Peter Ustinov
Early Years and Family Background
Born in London on April 16, 1921, Sir Peter Ustinov lived an incredibly rich and versatile life as colorful and eclectic as his glorious artistic talents. Known for his wit, charm, and boundless creativity, Ustinov’s personal life was as rich and fascinating and in phase with his work on stage and screen, shaping his relationships and his passions, and an extraordinary generosity.
The Path to Success
His beginings
Peter grew up as a single child in a multicultural diverse and artistic vibrant household, an environment that nurtured his curiosity and love for the arts. His father Jonas Von Ustinov, Russian & German aristocrat, was a journalist, diplomat, and today known as MI6, Britain’s most ingenious spy, book “Klop” by Peter Day
His mother the painter and set designer, Nadia Benois descended from the unique artistic Benois family who gave more than 50 artists, today reunited in the Benois family museum in Saint Petersburg, This family devotion for the arts and humanistic values, encouraged his early interest in theater and storytelling, These influences, along with his precocious intellect and keen observation of human behavior, provided the fertile soil in which his future contributions as actor, writer, director, journalist and University chancellor would be planted.
Career Highlights
Over 60 years of success
Despite his demanding career, Ustinov remained deeply connected with his roots, and his family tradition of humanitarian values. He was very committed toward his role as UNICEF ambassador for children and maintained close connection with his public to advocate the missions he wanted to empower. Beyond his work in the arts, Ustinov explored a wide range of activities, from playing tennis, traveling, gastronomy, sailing on his boat “Nitchevo”, discovering, learning, music, Opera…. all of which added richness to his life and personality.
In 1998 with his son Igor, they founded the Sir Peter Ustinov foundation (for children) and later in 2004 the Ustinov Institute in Vienna devote to understanding and developing awareness about prejudice and their downsides. These institutions have grown and are still and more active.
In later years, Ustinov continued to captivate audiences with his wisdom, humor, and charisma. Even as his health declined, he stayed active and engaged in his creative and humanitarian endeavors until his death on March 28, 2004, in Switzerland.
As his career flourished, Ustinov became also a leading figure in international diplomacy and humanitarian work. Fluent in several languages and knowledgeable on affairs of the world, he had friends amongst heads of state, like Gorbachev and was respected for his incisive comments on world affairs. His love for education and knowledge made him a devoted UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, in which capacity he advocated tirelessly for children’s rights, traveling the world to spread awareness about vulnerable populations and in need of help.
Personal Life
A Fullfilling Journey
His personal life often intertwined with his professional one. Ustinov married three times, and had four children with his first two wives, his first marriage to Isolde Denham in 1940 ending in divorce after the four years of war. The second marriage, to actress Suzanne Cloutier in 1954, brought personal joy and professional collaboration, as the pair often worked together on creative projects. And after all, his marriage with Helen du Lau d’Aleman. Throughout his life, Ustinov found inspiration in the relationships and experiences that naturally shaped him both personally and artistically.
Despite his demanding career, Ustinov remained deeply connected with his roots. He was very affectionate toward his family and maintained close contact with relatives across Europe. Beyond his work in the arts, Ustinov explored a wide range of hobbies, from painting and photography to cooking and gardening, all of which added richness to his life and personality.
In later years, Ustinov continued to captivate audiences with his wisdom, humor, and charisma. Even as his health declined, he stayed active and engaged in his creative and humanitarian endeavors until his death on March 28, 2004, in Switzerland.
Humanitarian Work
Legacy of Service
In parallel with all his artistic activities and commitments, Sir Peter Ustinov pursued a rich and multifaceted career. As an author, he wrote novels, plays, historical essays, film scripts, journalistic pieces, and an autobiography. He also had a distinguished career as an actor, director, and set designer. Alongside these, he embraced academic responsibilities — first as Rector of the University of Dundee, then as Chancellor of the University of Durham.
He also dedicated himself to various causes: as President of the World Federalists, and most notably to the cause of children, having served for 37 years, until his death, as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. His commitment continues today through the Ustinov foundation and the Ustinov institute he co-founded with his son.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to global understanding and humanitarian values, Sir Peter was also a recipient of the Planetary Consciousness Prize awarded by the Club of Budapest.