In the mid-1990s, Princess Diana was at the height of her public struggle, enduring a crumbling marriage, relentless media attention and the constant presence of paparazzi.
However, amid all this chaos, one unexpected and touching story emerged: Diana found refuge at a ranch in Colorado with actor Kurt Russell and his long-time partner Goldie Hawn.
They met at a film premiere in London
It all began in 1991, when Kurt Russell met Princess Diana at the London premiere of his film Backdraft. The meeting, which would unexpectedly change the course of Diana’s life, took place during a royal screening, and Kurt admits that it was a surreal experience:
‘I met her with Prince Charles — it was a screening of Backdraft. They were having a royal ceremony. I was standing between them, which was quite interesting at the time!’ Kurt shared on the Australian talk show The Project in 2016.
In the early 1990s, Diana and Charles were far from the perfect couple they once were; their relationship was already showing signs of strain.
But what followed showed that even in the most glamorous circles, friendship and compassion can still flourish.
The most persecuted person of the modern era
Diana confessed to Kurt that she felt under intense pressure due to constant media attention. She was not just a royal figure — she was a mother, a woman trying to find her own identity, and yet she was hounded everywhere she went. Her brother, Charles Spencer, once called Diana ‘the most persecuted person of the modern era’ — and he was not wrong.
According to Time, the Princess of Wales became the most photographed person in the world: paparazzi offered up to £500,000 ($656,000) for even the grainiest photos. This earned her the nickname ‘the sales princess’ in the industry.
Movie star Kurt Russell, of course, was unfamiliar with the dark side of fame, and he, too, was hounded by the paparazzi. He could empathise with Diana’s situation and, without hesitation, made an offer that would change everything.
At the London premiere of the film Backdraft in 1991, Kurt Russell made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.
I said, ‘Come to our ranch. We have a nice long driveway, and it’s hard for the paparazzi to get in there. Maybe you’d like to do that.’
Diana’s unexpected gesture
The invitation did not immediately become a reality. A year later, Goldie Hawn’s close friend Sarah Ferguson, who was then the Duchess of York, contacted her to find out if the offer was still open.
Of course, that’s what happened, and Diana, along with her two young sons, William and Harry, accepted their offer. They arrived at Kurt and Goldie’s remote ranch in Colorado to spend ten days in seclusion, away from prying eyes.
Although Kurt was at work at the time, Diana and her boys enjoyed the peace and quiet of the ranch. It was a rare chance for the princess to escape the chaos, even if only for a brief moment.
‘Goldie and Fergie knew each other through mutual friends,’ Kurt explained. ‘They made arrangements, she brought the boys with her, and they stayed at the house.’
The connection didn’t end there. While Kurt was at work, Diana formed a close friendship with the couple’s housekeeper.
‘Our housekeeper Bonnie became very close to her, and every Christmas she would receive a lovely card from Diana,’ Kurt recalls fondly.
It was a small but touching detail that speaks to the warmth Diana found away from the spotlight.
The royal visit was a special and personal moment in Kurt Russell’s life, and he has spoken about it many times over the years. On The Late Late Show with James Corden, Kurt shared:
“I mentioned that we live on a ranch in Colorado, which would be a great place to stay. And she said, “Maybe someday you can do that.”” So the ranch became a refuge where Diana could hide from the media storm.
Although Kurt was working and the royal family’s stay at the ranch remained largely out of the public eye, it was not just a holiday — it was an act of kindness that has stayed with Kurt, Goldie and Diana’s family ever since. It is a story of humanity, connection and kindness that exists beyond royal titles and public figures.
It is also a reminder that even in the face of the most severe pressure in the world, there can still be moments of peace, and sometimes it is the people you least expect who help create those moments.
What do you think of this story? A story of kindness and refuge against the backdrop of royal drama — does it change your perception of Princess Diana’s life? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss!
