Margaret Denise Quigley who is professionally known as Maggie Q is a popular actress, model and activist. She has appeared in many successful projects such as Designated Survivor, Priest, Divergent, Mission: Impossible III, and Nikita to name a few. She started her career in the entertainment industry in Asia but has since made a name for herself in Hollywood.
Thanks to her international fame, people are interested in knowing about Margaret and her life. So, in this biography, we will learn more about Maggie Q’s childhood, career trajectory, relationship history, and more.
Where Did Margaret Denise Quigley Grow Up?
The talented stress was born on 22nd May 1979 in Honolulu, Hawaii as Margaret Denise Quigley. She grew up alongside her four siblings in a Catholic household. Maggie Q’s parents’ identity is a mystery but we do know that her mom is a Vietnamese immigrant and her dad is of Polish and Irish descent.
Margaret Denise Quigley’s parents reportedly met in Vietnam while her father was stationed in the country during the Vietnam War. The duo must have then moved to the US and started their family here. While the star is very private regarding her life, Quigley must have had a wonderful childhood.
What Is Margaret Denise Quigley’s Educational Background Like?
Talking about her education, Maggie Q reportedly attended the Mililani Waena Elementary School and Wheeler Intermediate School before being enrolled at Mililani High School. In high school, she was on the track and field, cross country, and swim teams. As a result, Margaret Denise won an athletics scholarship to a private university.
Quigley graduated from high school in 1997 and had the intention of studying veterinary science in college. But despite the athletics scholarship, Margaret Denise Quigley’s family was unable to financially assist her. So, in hopes of earning enough money to continue her studies, Maggie left Hawaii at the end of the school year.
Well, even though she had the intention of completing her studies, it seems like Maggie did not return back to the field.
When Did Margaret Denise Quigley Start Her Career In the Movie Business?
As per various sources, Maggie Q’s professional journey started as a model in Tokyo, Japan when she was only 17. She then moved to Taipei, Taiwan to further her career but was unsuccessful in her work. Following this, Quigley settled in Hong Kong, began using the name Maggie Q, and became celebrated actor Jackie Chan’s protégé. He reportedly saw potential in Margaret to become an action star despite her never receiving any training in martial arts.
Margaret Denise Quigley made her acting debut in the television drama House of the Dragon in 1998. The show was a huge hit in Asia and Maggie then appeared in her first movie, Gui ming mo aka Model from Hell as Anna in 2000. She also played Jane Quigley, an FBI agent in the action thriller Gen-Y Cops the same year. Her performance in these films impressed Jackie Chan and he cast Quigley in his movies such as Rush Hour 2 and Manhattan Midnight.
Following this, Maggie Q appeared in movies such as Naked Weapon, The Trouble-Makers, Magic Kitchen, Around the World in 80 Days, Rice Rhapsody, Dragon Heat, House of Harmony, and many more. But her breakthrough in Hollywood came in 2006 when she played the character, Zhen in Mission: Impossible III. She continued with her movie career appearing in projects listed below:
- Live Free or Die Hard
- Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
- Balls of Fury
- Deception
- The Counting House
- The Warrior and the Wolf
- Operation: Endgame
- The King of Fighters
- Priest
- New York, I Love You
In 2010 Maggie Q played the lead character, Nikita, an assassin gone rogue in the action thriller drama, Nikita. She received positive reviews for her portrayal of Nikita and throughout the run of the show, from 2010 to 2013, Margaret Denise Quigley gained many fans. A year after the final season of Nikita aired, Quigley not only played Tori in the sci-fi movie Divergent but also booked the part of Beth Davis in the show Stalker. Q reprised the role of Tori for two more Divergent movies, The Divergent Series: Insurgent in 2015 and Allegiant in 2016.
Quigley’s career has continued to flourish and she has played significant parts in many movies and tv shows. She appeared in projects such as The Con Is On, Slumber, The Crash, Designated Survivor, Young Justice, Fantasy Island, The Argument, and Death of Me. A few of her recent projects are The Protégé and Pivoting, both of which were successful.
Well, looking at her career trajectory, Margaret Denise Quigley’s net worth standing at $9 million seems plausible. She has not only found success in her movie career but also in the television world. And as an internationally acclaimed actress, Margaret Denise Quigley’s earnings from her work must be substantial.
Is Maggie Q Married?
Much like details about her childhood, Margaret Denise Quigley has remained quiet regarding her love life. But it is common knowledge that she was previously in a relationship with fellow actor, Dylan McDermott. The duo first met while filming the show, Stalker, and started dating soon after. They announced their engagement in January 2015 and fans were waiting for the lovely couple to tie the knot.
However, in 2017 Dylan and Margaret revealed that they were in no hurry to get married and were rather enjoying their time together. But sadly, their relationship could not stand the test of time and they separated in February 2019.
Following the end of her relationship with McDermott, Quigley kept her love life away from the spotlight. While she has shared that she is dating someone new, Maggie Q’s partner is a big mystery. But let’s hope in the coming days, we will get to know more about her life and relationships.