British composer
First female composer to win an Oscar.
Started composing on the piano at age 13.
Composed the music to a successful student film, Privileged , which starred fellow Oxford student Hugh Grant.
Chooses not to conduct her music.
Rachel Portman has composed an opera, "The Little Prince", based on the Antoine de Saint-Exupry story. The world premier is being given by Houston Grand Opera starting 31 May 2003.
She was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2010 Queens New Years Honours List for her services to the film industry.
Has three daughters with her husband Uberto Pasolini - Anna Pasolini (b.1995), Giulia Pasolini (b.1998) and Niky Pasolini.
