Valerie Swadling was a remarkable performer and contributor to magic. After her passing in March of 2026 Genii Magazine had this to say about her career:
“A gifted magician, Valerie earned international recognition in 1970 when she won an award at the FISM World Championships—an achievement that placed her among the finest magicians of her time.
“Her artist-themed act was both original and memorable. She enchanted audiences around the world with her two floating canes—presented as paintbrushes—the first performer to do so; produced a statue of the Venus de Milo from thin air; and concluded with a striking dress change that left a lasting impression.
She enjoyed a career both in the U.K. and internationally, including television appearances such as a 1977 broadcast of The Magic Show, gala performances in Paris, and the syndicated television special The Wonderful World of Magic, which featured performers from the great FISM era of the early 1970s.”
