Born in London, she was the elder daughter of William Dudley Ward and the leading socialite Freda Dudley Ward,[2] her mother being best remembered for being the long-time mistress of the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII.

Her first marriage, to Anthony Pelissier, lasted from 29 December 1939, until their divorce in 1944;[3] the couple had one daughter, the actress Tracy Reed.

Dudley-Ward married film director Carol Reed on 24 January 1948.

[3][4] They had one son, Max Reed, born 14 September 1948.

[6] Lady Reed died from a brain tumour on 21 January 1982 at the age of 67,[7] fourteen months before her mother.