Sir Mark Rylance's wife Claire Van Kampen has died aged 71 on her husband's 65th birthday. Van Kampen passed away surrounded by her family after being diagnosed with cancer, a statement shared on behalf of Sir Mark and her daughter Juliet confirmed. Van Kampen was a concert pianist, composer, playwright, theatre director and worked in various roles at Shakespeare's Globe for around 20 years.
![[Van Kampen passed away surrounded by her family after being diagnosed with cancer]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/17/94244545-14300057-image-a-18_1737222710302.jpg)
She was also described as 'one of the funniest and (most) inspiring women we have ever known', in the statement. It added: 'We thank her for imbuing our lives with her magic, music, laughter, and love. 'Ring the bell, sound the trumpets reverie, something is done, something is beginning. One of the great wise ones has passed.'.
![[Both Rylance and Van Kampen are pictured attending day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships last year]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/17/94244541-14300057-image-a-19_1737222715590.jpg)
Her theatre credits include composing the music for the 1989 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet starring Sir Mark, whom she married that same year. Later in her career she created original scores for Broadway productions of 2000's True West, 2008's Boeing-Boeing and 2010 comedy La Bete, as well as adaptations of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and Richard III.
Sir Mark Rylance's wife Claire Van Kampen, right, has died aged 71 on her husband's 65th birthday. Van Kampen passed away surrounded by her family after being diagnosed with cancer. Both Rylance and Van Kampen are pictured attending day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships last year.
