Tilda Swinton Biography 2026: Age, Height, Career, Movies, Partner, Family & More
Tilda Swinton stands as one of cinema’s most fearless and shape-shifting talents. The British actress, celebrated for her androgynous presence and boundary-pushing performances, has captivated audiences for over four decades. From her breakthrough in the gender-fluid drama Orlando to her Oscar-winning turn in Michael Clayton, iconic role as the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia, and enigmatic Ancient One in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Swinton continues to redefine what a leading actress can be. Now 65 in early 2026, she remains as vital as ever, blending arthouse daring with mainstream appeal while championing independent film and social causes.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Katherine Matilda Swinton |
| Nick Name | Tilda, Swilda |
| Profession | Actress, Producer, Performance Artist, Film Curator |
| Birth Date | November 5, 1960 |
| Age | 65 (turns 66 on November 5, 2026) |
| Birth Place | London, England, united kingdom |
| Nationality | British (Scottish) |
| Known For | Orlando, Michael Clayton (Oscar winner), White Witch in Narnia, Ancient One in Doctor Strange, Wes Anderson collaborations |
| Ethnicity | White British (Scottish aristocratic family with Australian maternal roots) |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Height | 5′ 10½″ (1.79 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 141 lbs (64 kg) |
| Hair Color | Reddish-blonde (often styled variably) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Qualification | BA in Social and Political Sciences, University of Cambridge |
| Religion | Not publicly specified (raised in secular military family) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Spouse | None |
| Partner | Sandro Kopp (since 2004) |
| Children | Twins Honor Swinton Byrne and Xavier Swinton Byrne (born 1997) |
| Family | Father: Sir John Swinton (deceased 2018); Mother: Judith Balfour (deceased 2012); three brothers; Clan Swinton lineage |
| Hobbies | Film curation, performance art, traveling cinema events, co-founding alternative schools |
| Current Work | Independent films, performance pieces, and exhibition projects (2025–2026) |
| Years Active | 1984–present |
| Net Worth (2026 est.) | $14 million |
Early Life & Education
Katherine Matilda Swinton was born on November 5, 1960, in London into an ancient Scottish aristocratic family. Her father, Major-General Sir John Swinton, served as a high-ranking British Army officer and Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire. Her mother, Judith Balfour (née Killen), was Australian. The family traces its roots to the 9th century through Clan Swinton. Swinton spent much of her childhood in Scotland and has always identified strongly as Scottish.
She attended elite boarding schools—Queen’s Gate School in London, West Heath Girls’ School (where she was a classmate of Diana Spencer), and briefly Fettes College—before earning a BA in social and political sciences from New Hall (now Murray Edwards College) at the University of Cambridge in 1983. During university, she joined the Communist Party and performed on stage. Before Cambridge, she spent two years volunteering in children’s schools in South Africa and Kenya. She has spoken critically of boarding schools, calling them isolating and cruel.
Career Journey
Breakthrough with Derek Jarman & Early Acclaim (1980s–1990s)
Swinton made her film debut in Derek Jarman’s Caravaggio (1986) and collaborated with the avant-garde director on several experimental works, including The Last of England (1988), War Requiem (1989), and Edward II (1991), for which she won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at Venice. Her international breakthrough came with Sally Potter’s Orlando (1992), where she played a character who lives through centuries and changes gender—perfectly suiting her androgynous style.
Mainstream Success & Oscar Glory (2000s)
The 2000s brought wider recognition. She appeared in The Beach (2000), Vanilla Sky (2001), and Adaptation (2002). Her chilling performance as the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) and sequels made her a household name. In 2007, she delivered a powerhouse turn as ruthless lawyer Karen Crowder in Michael Clayton, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a BAFTA, and widespread critical praise.
Arthouse Icon & Blockbuster Balance (2010s)
Swinton starred in acclaimed indies like We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011), Only Lovers Left Alive (2013), Snowpiercer (2014), and Luca Guadagnino’s A Bigger Splash (2015) and Suspiria (2018, playing multiple roles, one as “Lutz Ebersdorf”). She joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Ancient One in Doctor Strange (2016) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Frequent collaborations with Wes Anderson included Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, and Asteroid City.
2020s: Continued Reinvention
Recent highlights include Memoria (2021), dual roles in The Eternal Daughter (2022), Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022), Problemista (2023), The Killer (2023), and pedro almodóvar’s The Room Next Door (2024). In 2025 she starred in Ballad of a Small Player opposite Colin Farrell and appeared in Broken English. She voiced characters in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) and contributed to The End (2024/2025). A major exhibition, Tilda Swinton: Ongoing, ran at Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam until February 2026, accompanied by a Rizzoli monograph.
Career Stats Snapshot
- Feature films: 60+
- Major franchises: Narnia (3 films), Marvel Cinematic Universe (2+ films)
- Notable directors: 10+ collaborations with Wes Anderson, Jarman, Guadagnino, AlmodĂłvar, and others
- Awards: 1 Oscar, multiple BAFTAs, Volpi Cup, lifetime achievement honors
Personal Life
Swinton has never married. She was in a long-term relationship with Scottish artist and playwright John Byrne from 1989 to 2003; they have twins Honor Swinton Byrne (an actress) and Xavier Swinton Byrne, born in 1997. Since 2004 she has been with German painter Sandro Kopp. The family lives quietly in Nairn, overlooking the Moray Firth in the Scottish Highlands.
Swinton identifies as queer, describing it as a sensibility rather than strictly sexual orientation. She co-founded an alternative Steiner school in Scotland and has run her own intimate film festival, the Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams, in Nairn.
Dating History
- John Byrne (1989–2003)
- Sandro Kopp (2004–present)
Controversies
Swinton has faced criticism for signing a 2009 petition supporting Roman Polanski during his legal issues. In recent years, she has been outspoken on Palestinian rights, speaking at the 2025 Berlinale about Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling for ceasefires, and signing boycott pledges against Israeli institutions. These positions have drawn both praise and backlash in the film community.
Awards & Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress – Michael Clayton (2008)
- BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Michael Clayton (2008)
- Volpi Cup for Best Actress – Edward II (1991)
- British Film Institute Fellowship (2020)
- Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, Venice (2020)
- Honorary Golden Bear, Berlin (2025)
- MoMA special tribute (2013)
- Ranked among the greatest actors of the 21st century by The New York Times (2020)
Physical Statistics
- Height: 5′ 10½″ (1.79 m)
- Build: Tall and slender
- Distinctive features: Striking androgynous appearance, expressive face, often minimalist or avant-garde fashion choices
Quotes
“I always felt I was queer – I was just looking for my queer circus, and I found it. And having found it, it’s my world.”
“Doubt, to me anyway, is what makes you human.”
“People talk about androgyny in all sorts of dull ways… I’ve always been interested in the limitlessness of an androgynous gesture.”
Interesting Facts
- She once performed as a living artwork, sleeping in a glass box for a week at galleries in London, Rome, and New York (The Maybe).
- She founded a traveling cinema truck festival that toured the Scottish Highlands.
- Her family lineage dates back over 1,000 years; she is related to historical Scottish figures.
- She played three roles (one credited under a male pseudonym) in the 2018 Suspiria remake.
Did You Know Already?
Tilda Swinton once ran her own no-frills film festival in her tiny Scottish hometown, charging just ÂŁ3 entry or a plate of homemade cakes, personally introducing every screening.
Social Media Links
Swinton maintains a deliberately low online profile with no official personal Instagram, X/Twitter, or Facebook accounts. Updates about her work often come via film festivals, exhibition sites, or collaborators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Tilda Swinton in 2026?
She is 65 years old and will turn 66 on November 5, 2026.
Is Tilda Swinton married?
No, she has never married but has been in a long-term relationship with artist Sandro Kopp since 2004.
What is Tilda Swinton’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated at $14 million, built from decades of acclaimed film, stage, and artistic work.
Why is Tilda Swinton famous?
She first gained fame for gender-bending roles like Orlando, earned global stardom as the White Witch in Narnia, won an Oscar for Michael Clayton, and became known for her fearless collaborations across indie and blockbuster cinema.
What are Tilda Swinton’s recent projects in 2025–2026?
Highlights include Ballad of a Small Player (2025) and the major career-spanning exhibition Tilda Swinton: Ongoing running into early 2026.
Conclusion
Tilda Swinton’s extraordinary career proves that true artistry knows no boundaries of age, gender, or genre. Whether transforming for experimental cinema or lighting up the screen in major blockbusters, she continues to inspire with her intelligence, courage, and unwavering individuality. As new projects and exhibitions unfold in 2026, her influence on world cinema only grows deeper.
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