Rachel Elnaugh became the first female Dragon on the UK television programme Dragons' Den.
Elnaugh was one of the original investors when the British series launched in 2005. Her appointment made her the first woman to serve as a Dragon on the UK version of the format. She was known as a businesswoman and entrepreneur, particularly through her work with Red Letter Days, a company offering experience gifts.
Elnaugh appeared on the programme during its early years, before later female Dragons joined the panel. Deborah Meaden, for example, became a prominent Dragon after Elnaugh's tenure, while Sara Davies and Kelly Hoppen joined much later.
The title “first female Dragon” concerns the UK television series, not every international version of Dragons' Den and not the first woman to pitch to the investors. Elnaugh's place in the original panel is therefore a specific piece of programme history.