Tania Mallet was born on 19 May 1941 in Blackpool, England, to a Russian mother, Olga Mironoff, and an English father, Henry Mallet. From a young age, she expressed a keen interest in acting. She pursued her education at a local school in Blackpool before enrolling at the Lucy Clayton School of Modeling, a decision that would pivot the direction of her early career.
Tania began her modeling career at the age of 16 and quickly rose to prominence. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, she had become one of the top fashion models in Britain. At the height of her career, she was reportedly earning up to £2,000 per week, a substantial income during that era. She was highly sought after due to her striking appearance and professional demeanor, making her a regular on top fashion runways and magazines.
Film producer Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli discovered Mallet when photographs of her in a bikini were sent to him. Impressed by her on-camera presence, he invited her to audition for a role in the James Bond film From Russia with Love (1963). Despite her Russian heritage through her mother, Mallet did not acquire a Russian accent, having lived in England her entire life. As a result, she did not land the role, which ironically went to Italian actress Daniela Bianchi, whose voice had to be dubbed in post-production to simulate a Russian accent.
Tania Mallet was later cast as Tilly Masterson in the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964). Despite her successful modeling career, Mallet accepted the role for a modest starting salary of £50 per week, significantly less than her earnings from modeling. After negotiations, her pay was increased to £150 per week—roughly equivalent to her daily modeling rate. She took on the role understanding the limited stability of a modeling career and hoping for broader cinematic opportunities.
| Birth Date: | 19 May, 1941 |
| Age: | 78 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Model Film actor |
| Citizenship: | United Kingdom |
| Birth Place: | Blackpool |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | British actor and model (1941-2019) |
