Hicks was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, and lived at Little Maplestead, Essex. She was educated at Adcote School, Shropshire. She was married for forty years to Lt-Colonel Peter Taylor (25 January 1913 - 26 March 2010). He was an outstanding front line commander who won two MCs in Italy in 1944.
Hicks appeared in a National Theatre 80th birthday tribute to Lord Olivier, Happy Birthday, Sir Larry on 31 May 1987 in the presence of Olivier.
