Pure 7
magazine

November 2008

Interview: My Perfect World – Danièle Ryman
The Times refer to her as ‘the
Queen of Aromatherapy’, and her
large celebrity clientele includes
Baroness Thatcher as well as the
late Princess of Wales.

Born in Cahors, France, Danièle studied as a
bio-chemist and went on to
research the science behind
Aromatherapy. She coined the term
‘aromacology’ to describe her range
of products, which have graced
many airlines including Virgin,
British Airways and Lufthansa.

Writing is clearly in her blood: her
father was a well-known poet and
she has written several bestsellers
including The Aromatherapy
Encyclopedia and Aromatherapy in
your Diet.

We asked Danièle about
her ‘Perfect World’.

Where is your favourite place?
The hills behind Nice in Provence,
France. I feel at home there.

Who would you most like to take
to dinner?
The Dalai Lama. Since I met him in
India, I have an answer to one of
his questions.

If you could relive one moment
what would it be?
The day my son was born, I had so
much joy and have never felt such
joy since.

What was your most embarrassing
moment?
Taking my rubbish onto the bus
instead of my handbag by mistake!

If you could have any superpower,
what would it be?
To make people smile more.

Who do you most admire in
the world?
Mother Theresa. I admired her for
saving so many children from a
dreadful death.

What is your most cherished
possession?
My father was a writer so it would
have to be his manuscripts.

If you had an extra two hours a
day, how would you fill your time?
I would go to the park or do more
gardening to be closer to nature.

What quality do you most admire
in yourself, and what quality
would you change?
I admire my determination to
succeed but wish I could be less
obsessed with work.

How would you like to die?
In my sleep and, if possible, in a
field of lavender.

If you were to be reincarnated
what would you come back as?
I would like to return as a painter
or sculptor so that I'd have more
time to concentrate on those things.

If you were a cartoon / TV
character who would you be?
The Good Fairy in Cinderella who
put a bit of magic into people’s lives.

What do you wish had never
been invented?
The atomic bomb.