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Sister Wendy Beckett, a nun who spent much of her life in seclusion in a caravan in Norfolk, unexpectedly became a BBC television sensation in the 1990s. Gaining global recognition through BBC art documentaries viewed by millions, Wendy Beckett generously donated all her earnings to charity when she died in 2018. Born on 25 February 1930 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wendy Mary Beckett was the daughter of a doctor. She obtained a teaching diploma from Notre Dame College of Education in Liverpool in 1954 before returning to South Africa. Back home, she taught English and Latin at convent schools in Cape Town and Johannesburg, later lecturing at the University of the Witwatersrand. Unfortunately, Sister Wendy had to give up teaching by 1970 due to health issues. With the Pope's permission, she left the Notre Dame order and became a consecrated virgin and hermit, moving back to England, according to the Express. She initially lived in a caravan and later in a small mobile home on the grounds of the Carmelite Monastery at Quidenham, Norfolk, reports the Daily Record . However, a chance encounter soon changed her life. After a film crew overheard her commentary at an exhibition, they asked to record her talking about art. This led to the BBC commissioning her first programme, Sister Wendy's Odyssey, in 1992. Sister Wendy amazed everyone, including herself, with her natural ability to present on camera. Her follow-up show, Sister Wendy's Grand Tour (1994), saw her journey across Europe to marvel at the continent's spectacular galleries and artistic masterpieces. By the late 1990s, Wendy had emerged as one of the BBC's most successful presenters. At the peak of her fame, her programmes attracted a 25 per cent share of British viewers. In 1997 she conquered the American market with Sister Wendy's American Collection on PBS, where The New York Times praised her as "the most unlikely and famous art critic in the history of television." Despite achieving celebrity status, Beckett never abandoned her solitary way of life. She would travel to film programmes but invariably returned to her caravan, where she existed in simplicity. She performed prayers for up to seven hours each day, seldom watched films or visited museums outside her work commitments, and stayed faithful to her vows of poverty. Her complete earnings from the BBC and book deals were given to the Carmelite order that offered her refuge. Sister Wendy died at 88-years-old on 26 December 2018 at the Carmelite Monastery in Quidenham, Norfolk. The order announced her passing, observing she had resided on its grounds for almost half a century, though never as a member of the Carmelite community itself. Sister Wendy penned an impressive 25 books, covering everything from art criticism to spiritual reflections, and hosted a series of notable documentaries. She became known for her open discussions about nudity and sexuality in art, advocating that there was no shame in celebrating the human body as part of God's creation. Her commentary, while often surprisingly candid, was always delivered with reverence and admiration. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
