Sunetra Sastry is a British makeup artist best known as the former wife of the actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson, the star of Mr. Bean and Blackadder. Born in 1957 to an Indian father and an English mother, she built a respected career in television makeup at the BBC before marrying Atkinson in 1990. The couple were together for about 25 years and had two children, before divorcing in 2015. Since then, Sunetra Sastry has lived a very private life.

Although she is most often described simply as Rowan Atkinson’s ex-wife, Sunetra Sastry had her own career and identity long before the marriage, and she worked behind the scenes on some of British comedy’s best-loved productions. This article looks at her background, her work as a makeup artist, her long marriage to Atkinson, and where she is today.

Sunetra Sastry: Quick Facts

Full Name	Sunetra Sastry
Date of Birth	Reported as 1957
Birthplace	England (reported as Newcastle upon Tyne)
Heritage	Indian father, English mother (Anglo-Indian)
Nationality	British
Occupation	Makeup artist
Former Husband	Rowan Atkinson (married 1990, divorced 2015)
Children	Benjamin Atkinson (born 1993) and Lily Sastry (born 1995)
Known For	Being Rowan Atkinson’s ex-wife, alongside her BBC makeup work
Public Profile	Private, not active in the media

Who Is Sunetra Sastry?

Sunetra Sastry is a British makeup artist who became publicly known as the wife, and later ex-wife, of comedy star Rowan Atkinson. She is the mother of his two children, Benjamin and Lily.

Before her marriage, Sunetra built her own career in television makeup, working for the BBC on a number of well-known productions. She is of mixed Indian and English heritage, and she has always kept a low public profile, especially since her divorce.

Sunetra Sastry’s Early Life and Heritage

Sunetra Sastry was born in 1957 in England, to an Indian father and an English mother. Reports place her birth in Newcastle upon Tyne. Growing up in a mixed-race family in 1960s Britain, at a time when such families were far less common, she faced regular racism because of her father’s heritage.

She was drawn to creative work from a young age. After finishing school, she chose to study at a beauty college in London and to pursue makeup artistry as a career. Her parents initially disapproved, hoping she would train as a nurse instead, but they came to support her once they saw how serious she was about her craft.

Sunetra Sastry’s Career as a Makeup Artist

In the early 1980s, Sunetra Sastry began working as a makeup artist for the BBC. She built a solid reputation in television, working on a range of productions during a vibrant period for British comedy.

Her credits include the classic historical comedy Blackadder, its sequel Blackadder II, and the BBC film Smack and Thistle, as well as Mr. Bean productions such as Mr. Bean Goes to a Premiere. Her work was the kind of skilled, behind-the-scenes craft that helps shape how characters look on screen, even though it rarely attracts public attention. She later stepped back from the profession to focus on raising her family.

How Sunetra Sastry Met Rowan Atkinson

Sunetra Sastry met Rowan Atkinson on the set of Blackadder in 1986. At the time, she was working as the makeup artist for his colleague, the actor Stephen Fry.

According to the well-known account, Atkinson was so taken with Sunetra that he asked Fry to switch makeup artists, so that Sunetra would work on him instead. Fry at first assumed Atkinson was unhappy with his own makeup artist, before realising that Rowan simply wanted to get to know Sunetra. The two began a relationship and dated for a few years before marrying.

Sunetra Sastry and Rowan Atkinson’s Marriage

Sunetra Sastry and Rowan Atkinson married in February 1990 at the Russian Tea Room in New York City. Fittingly, Stephen Fry, who had unwittingly played matchmaker, served as best man at the wedding.

The marriage lasted about 25 years and was, by the standards of a famous comedian, kept remarkably private. Throughout that time, Sunetra largely stayed out of the spotlight, supporting her husband’s rising career while raising their two children.

Sunetra Sastry’s Family

Family Member	Relationship	Known For
Rowan Atkinson	Ex-husband	Actor and comedian (Mr. Bean, Blackadder)
Benjamin Atkinson	Son (born 1993)	Reportedly pursued a military career
Lily Sastry	Daughter (born 1995)	Singer, dancer, and performer

Who Are Sunetra Sastry’s Children?

Sunetra Sastry and Rowan Atkinson have two children. Their son, Benjamin Atkinson, was born in 1993, with Stephen Fry as his godfather. He has kept a low profile and is reported to have pursued a career in the British armed forces.

Their daughter, Lily Sastry, was born in 1995. She has followed a creative path as a singer, dancer, and performer, including cabaret and stage work, along with small acting roles. Notably, she chose to use her mother’s surname, Sastry, rather than her famous father’s name of Atkinson.

The Divorce from Rowan Atkinson

Sunetra Sastry and Rowan Atkinson separated around 2014 and divorced in November 2015. The split attracted significant media attention, with reports linking it to Atkinson’s relationship with the actress Louise Ford, whom he had met while performing in a stage play.

Throughout the divorce, Sunetra was widely praised for her dignity. She never publicly criticised her former husband and did not seek media attention. While exact financial details are not publicly confirmed, she is reported to have received a substantial divorce settlement, including property. Rowan Atkinson went on to have a child with Louise Ford and later married her.

Where Is Sunetra Sastry Today?

As of 2026, Sunetra Sastry lives a quiet, private life, believed to be in the United Kingdom. She is not active on social media, rarely if ever gives interviews, and has stayed almost entirely out of public view since her divorce.

Her path has clear echoes of Hanne Norgaard, another makeup artist who was the first wife of a famous British actor and chose privacy after divorce. The Sheffield Magazine has profiled other figures connected to fame in this way, including Lyndrea Price, the costume and web designer and private sister of Serena and Venus Williams.

Why Sunetra Sastry’s Story Matters

Sunetra Sastry’s story is a reminder that there is almost always a skilled, hard-working person behind the scenes of a famous career. Long before she became known as Mr. Bean’s wife, she had fought to build her own profession against her family’s wishes and the prejudice of the era.

She supported one of Britain’s most beloved comedians through his rise to global fame, raised two children who have found their own paths, and then handled a very public divorce with quiet dignity. Today she lives on her own terms, away from the spotlight, which is exactly how she has always seemed to prefer it.

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