Who are Hayley Mills’ Parents, John Mills & Mary Hayley Bell?

Hayley Mills, born on April 18, 1946, is a renowned British actress known for her early success in films like “Pollyanna” and “The Parent Trap.

Hayley Catherine Rose Vivien Mills was born on April 18, 1946, in Marylebone, London, United Kingdom. She is the daughter of Sir John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell, and the younger sister of actress Juliet Mills. Mills is 78 years old as of 2024.

Sir John Mills CBE was a prominent English actor with a career that stretched across seven decades. Born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills on February 22, 1908, he became well-known for his roles as relatable British characters and earnest war heroes. His acting career included more than 120 films, making him one of the most recognizable faces in British cinema. In 1971, Mills received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ryan’s Daughter.

In recognition of his contributions to film, Mills was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976. He also earned a BAFTA Fellowship in 2002 and was named a Disney Legend by The Walt Disney Company. Mills passed away on April 23, 2005, in Denham, Buckinghamshire, at the age of 97, following a stroke. His wife, Mary Hayley Bell, also passed away later that year, on December 1. The couple rests together in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard in Denham.

Mills’s honors included being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1960 and later being knighted. At 91, he became the oldest member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, a charitable organization. His extensive contributions to the arts were further recognized with the BAFTA Fellowship and the Disney Legend title.

Hayley’s mother, Mary Hayley Bell, Lady Mills, was a distinguished English actress and writer. Born on January 22, 1911, in Shanghai, China, she was known for her work both in front of and behind the camera. Her novel Whistle Down the Wind was adapted into a film that starred her teenage daughter, Hayley Mills.

Hayley Bell and John Mills met while she was living in Tianjin, China. Their paths crossed again in London in 1939 when she was performing in Tony Draws a Horse. After that, they became closer, and their relationship flourished. They married at Marylebone Register Office in London on January 16, 1941. At the time, Mills was on a short leave from his military service, so their honeymoon was limited to just one night at Duke’s Hotel.

The couple’s first home was a 16th-century cottage called “Misbourne,” which they bought in 1942 and lived in until 1945. Their marriage lasted for 64 years, a notable achievement in the entertainment industry.

Although their initial wedding was not in a church, they renewed their vows at St. Mary’s Church in Denham on their 60th anniversary in January 2001. Mary Hayley Bell and John Mills had three children:

• Juliet Mills (born 1941) became famous for her role in the television series Nanny and the Professor.
• Hayley Mills (born 1946) achieved stardom as a Disney child actress in films such as Pollyanna and The Parent Trap. Her son Crispian Mills later gained fame as the lead singer of the rock band Kula Shaker.
• Jonathan Mills (born 1949) is a writer and film producer.

In 1975, the Mills family acquired Hills House in Denham, a 17th-century property with a large garden. However, by 2003, the large house became too difficult for them to manage.

They moved to a more accessible bungalow in the village. Mary Hayley Bell, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in her later years, used a wheelchair in her final years. Sir John Mills died in 2005, and Lady Mills followed eight months later, in December 2005.