Deborah Meaden became a dragon in series 3 of the British programme Dragon's Den.
Meaden joined the investment panel in the third series, replacing Rachel Elnaugh. Her arrival helped establish the panel configuration that many early viewers remember, alongside Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne and Theo Paphitis.
Meaden is an English businesswoman and television personality. Before joining the programme, she had built experience in leisure and tourism businesses, including the family holiday business Weststar Holidays, which she later sold. Her business background shaped the practical, commercially focused style she brought to pitches.
A common mix-up is to treat every well-known dragon as part of the original 2005 cast. Meaden was not in series 1: she entered in series 3 and subsequently became one of the programme's longest-serving and most recognisable investors.