Marina Prior didn’t just perform in Les Misérables — she became it. From her breakout as Cosette in the country’s first production to her recent national honour, her career spans more than three decades on the musical stage.
Full name: Marina Prior AM ·
Born: 18 October 1963 ·
Age: 61 (as of 2025) ·
Occupation: Soprano, actress (musical theatre) ·
Notable role: Cosette / Fantine in Les Misérables ·
Award: Member of the Order of Australia (2023)
Quick snapshot
- Born 18 October 1963 in Port Moresby, Papua and New Guinea (Wikipedia biographical entry)
- Starred as Cosette and Fantine in Les Misérables (Wikipedia career summary)
- Appointed Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 (Wikipedia awards section)
- Exact height not confirmed in reliable sources (Wikipedia biography)
- Number and ages of children not publicly documented beyond names (IMDb actor biography)
- 1990–1993: Played Christine Daaé in the Australian premiere of The Phantom of the Opera (Wikipedia timeline)
- 2023: Awarded AM for services to the performing arts (Wikipedia awards)
- Continues performing in concerts and special events (Aussie Pops Facebook)
- Active on Instagram (@ms_marina_prior) (Instagram profile)
Nine facts about Marina Prior’s life and career, one pattern: she has been Australia’s leading lady of musical theatre for over three decades.
The table below lays out her key biographical details at a glance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marina Prior AM |
| Born | 18 October 1963 |
| Age | 61 (as of 2025) |
| Occupation | Soprano, actress |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Notable Work | Les Misérables (Cosette/Fantine) |
| Spouse | Peter Lowrey (first husband, divorced); Grant Piro (current husband, from 2012) |
| Children | Three – Olivia, Campbell, Jacob Lowrey |
| @ms_marina_prior |
Who is Marina Prior?
Marina Prior’s early life and training
- Born on 18 October 1963 in Port Moresby, Territory of Papua and New Guinea (Wikipedia biographical entry).
- Studied at Melbourne State College (Wikipedia education).
- Left her music studies after two years to pursue professional theatre (CutCommon performing arts magazine).
Career breakthrough with Les Misérables
- Created the role of Cosette in the Australian premiere of Les Misérables (Aussie Pops Facebook).
- Later performed as Fantine in the same production (Wikipedia role list).
- Also starred in the Australian premieres of Cats and The Phantom of the Opera (CutCommon career overview).
Awards and recognition
- Received three Green Room Awards for Les Misérables (1990), The Phantom of the Opera (1991), and Kiss Me, Kate (2005) (Wikipedia awards).
- Awarded the Advance Australia Award in 1993 (Wikipedia awards).
- Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 (Wikipedia honours).
The implication: these awards are not just honours. They chart a career that moved from promising young talent to established national figure.
Does Marina Prior have children?
Number of children
- Marina Prior has three children from her first marriage to Peter Lowrey (IMDb actor biography).
- Their names are Olivia Lowrey, Campbell Lowrey, and Jacob Lowrey (IMDb family details).
Children’s ages and public details
- Exact ages of the children are not widely publicized; the family keeps a relatively low profile (Wikipedia personal life).
- Marina Prior’s Instagram bio simply reads “Mum” (Instagram profile).
While fans often wonder about her family, Marina Prior has kept her children mostly out of the spotlight. The trade-off: public curiosity vs. personal privacy. For tabloid readers, the limited information is unlikely to expand.
Who was Marina Prior’s first husband?
Identity of first husband
- Marina Prior’s first husband is Peter Lowrey (Wikipedia marriage record).
- They were married from 1991 until their divorce around 2010 (IMDb spouse timeline).
Marriage duration and divorce
- The marriage lasted approximately 19 years (IMDb).
- They have three children together (Wikipedia).
Is Marina Prior still married?
- Yes, she is currently married to actor Grant Piro, with the relationship starting around 2012 (Wikipedia current spouse).
- IMDb confirms Grant Piro as spouse from 2012 to present (IMDb).
The early reports that she married Peter Lowrey and later remarried are now clarified by multiple sources. For anyone researching her personal life, the shift from Lowrey to Piro is the key date boundary: pre-2011 vs. post-2012.
Who does Marina Prior play in Les Mis?
Role of Cosette
- Marina Prior originated the role of Cosette in the Australian premiere of Les Misérables (Aussie Pops Facebook).
- Her performance was widely praised and helped define the show’s early success in Australia (CutCommon).
Role of Fantine
- Later in the show’s run, she took on the role of Fantine (Wikipedia role list).
- Playing both Cosette and Fantine is rare and underscores her vocal range and dramatic ability (Wikipedia).
Long association with Les Misérables
- Marina Prior is synonymous with Les Misérables in Australia (Aussie Pops Facebook).
- She has also performed the work in concerts and special events, maintaining her connection to the musical for over 30 years (Kate Bush Encyclopedia (fan-run site)).
The catch: playing both Cosette and Fantine in the same production is a feat few performers can claim, and it anchors her reputation as Australia’s definitive Les Misérables voice.
How tall is Marina Prior?
Reported height
- Marina Prior’s height is not officially documented in reliable sources; common reported estimates suggest around 5’5″ (165 cm), but this remains unverified (Wikipedia).
- No authoritative biography lists her height (IMDb actor biography).
Height is one of the most frequently asked questions about Marina Prior, yet no primary source confirms it. For fans and trivia seekers, the 5’5″ estimate is the best guess until an official source appears.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Marina Prior is an Australian soprano and actress (Wikipedia).
- Born 18 October 1963 (Wikipedia).
- Played Cosette and Fantine in Les Misérables (Wikipedia).
- Appointed AM in 2023 (Wikipedia).
- Three children: Olivia, Campbell, Jacob (IMDb actor biography).
- First husband Peter Lowrey (1991–2010) (IMDb actor biography).
- Current husband Grant Piro (since 2012) (Wikipedia).
What’s unclear
- Exact height (Wikipedia).
- Children’s current ages (IMDb actor biography).
- Net worth – no verified figure exists in public sources (Wikipedia).
In her own words
“Marina Prior is an Australian soprano and actress whose career has mainly been in musical theatre.” — Wikipedia biographical entry
“Marina Prior’s children are Olivia Lowrey, Campbell Lowrey, and Jacob Lowrey.” — IMDb actor biography
Marina Prior’s story is one of consistent excellence and national recognition. For Australian theatre-goers, the choice is clear: celebrate a legacy that spans three decades, or risk overlooking one of the country’s greatest performers.
For a deeper look at her career milestones, you can read more about Marina Priors career highlights.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Marina Prior?
She was born on 18 October 1963, making her 61 as of 2025.
What is Marina Prior’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure is available; estimates from unverified online sources vary widely.
What awards has Marina Prior won?
She has received three Green Room Awards, the Advance Australia Award, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023.
Where was Marina Prior born?
She was born in Port Moresby, Territory of Papua and New Guinea, which is now part of Papua New Guinea.
Is Marina Prior on Instagram?
Yes, her handle is @ms_marina_prior.
Who is Marina Prior’s current husband?
She is currently married to actor Grant Piro, with the relationship confirmed since 2012.
What other musicals has Marina Prior performed in?
She has performed in Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Kiss Me, Kate, and many others.
Does Marina Prior have any siblings?
IMDb lists Colin Prior as a sibling, though this is not confirmed by multiple sources.
Jack Lawson is Senior Reporter at Aussie Briefly, covering breaking stories and explainers.