Born in Melbourne, Australia to a family of musicians, daughter of Charles Tuckwell a noted organist, and sister of Barry Tuckwell, the world-famous French Horn player, Lady Harewood was educated at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney.
At 16 she joined the First Violin section of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (1942-1948) where she remained until her first marriage to the celebrated photographer, Athol Shmith who featured her in many of his fashion pictures. She also took part in many fashion shows including a nationwide tour for Vogue magazine and for some years ran her own school of fashion modelling in Melbourne.
In 1967 she married the Earl of Harewood since when she has been closely associated – in a backstage capacity – with his work in music, chiefly with English National Opera, and with the care, conservation and development of Harewood House where the family has lived since the mid-18th century.
Lady Harewood has also been involved in the following activities:
• President Leeds Philharmonic Society 1980-98
• Member Theatre Museum Advisory Council 1979-83 and 1987 – 96
• Chairman English National Opera and Sadlers Wells Benevolent Fund 1990-96
• Governor Royal Academy of Music, London 1984-90
• Governor Royal School of Needlework 1989-98
• Trustee The Voices Foundation 1993-98
• Governor Harrogate Ladies College 1986-91
• President Royal British Legion Yorkshire 1978-83
• Chairman Friends of Opera North 1978-87
• President Friends of Opera North since 1987
• Trustee Peter Moores Foundation
• Patron The Huntington’s Disease Association since 1998
• Board Member Young Concert Artists’ Trust 1995-2003
• Honorary President, Sinfonia of Leeds, current
• President Leeds United Football Club – 2018
• Took over from Lord Harewood as Patron of: Colne Valley Male Voice Choir; and Yorkshire Cricket Club