Diane Pretty (15 November 1958 – 11 May 2002) was a British woman from Luton who was the focus of a debate about the laws of euthanasia in the United Kingdom during the early part of the 21st century.
She had attempted to change British law so she could end her own life because of the pains and problems that she endured because of her terminal illness motor neurone disease.
Over time, the disease worsened and made it impossible for her to move or communicate easily even though her mental faculties remained normal.
The illness resulted in her having to be looked after round the clock by her husband and nurses, meaning that she could not commit suicide, which she had said she would do if she was able to.
[6] Pretty died aged 43, on 11 May 2002, following a series of lung and chest problems.