Dian Parkinson is an American model and television personality best known for her long-running role as one of the most beloved models on The Price Is Right.
With her radiant beauty, engaging charm, and effortless poise, she became a fan favorite during her 18-year tenure on the iconic game show.
Beyond The Price Is Right, she also had a successful career in modeling and made appearances in various television shows and magazines.
Early Life and Background
Dian Parkinson was born Dianna Lynn Batts on November 30, 1944, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Raised in Virginia, she grew up with aspirations of becoming a model.
Her early years saw her competing in beauty pageants, which helped launch her career in the entertainment industry.
In 1965, she won the title of Miss District of Columbia and went on to compete in the Miss USA pageant, where she finished as the first runner-up.
That same year, she represented the United States in the Miss World pageant and placed fourth overall. Her pageant success gave her national exposure, leading to opportunities in modeling and television.
Rise to Fame on The Price Is Right
Dian Parkinson’s biggest career breakthrough came in 1975 when she joined The Price Is Right as one of the show’s models.
Working alongside legendary host Bob Barker, she quickly became a household name, helping contestants showcase prizes and adding glamour to the long-running game show.
For 18 years, she remained one of the show’s most recognizable figures, charming audiences with her elegance and warm on-screen presence. She was part of the golden era of The Price Is Right, during a time when it became a staple of daytime television.
Her tenure on the show lasted until 1993, making her one of the longest-serving models in The Price Is Right history at the time.
Modeling and Media Appearances
In addition to her television career, Dian Parkinson was a successful model. She graced the covers of magazines and was featured in various fashion and swimsuit spreads.
One of her most notable achievements was appearing in Playboy magazine in 1991 and again in 1993, which further solidified her status as a pop culture icon of the era.
She also made guest appearances on television shows and game shows throughout the 1980s and 1990s, further expanding her reach beyond The Price Is Right.
Personal Life and Later Years
Dian Parkinson’s departure from The Price Is Right in 1993 was surrounded by speculation, and she later filed a lawsuit against Bob Barker, alleging sexual harassment. The lawsuit was eventually dropped, and both parties moved forward with their lives.
After stepping away from the entertainment industry, Parkinson largely retreated from the public eye, choosing to live a private life away from the spotlight.
Dian Parkinson remains one of the most memorable and beloved models in The Price Is Right history. Her nearly two-decade tenure on the show made her a familiar face to millions of viewers, and her success in modeling helped define her as a beauty icon of the 1980s and 1990s.
