Greta Garbo (1905 - 1990)

Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo, born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, is a Swedish and American actress.

Greta was born into a poor family and early went to work - in a beauty salon, salesman, modeling for photos in local advertising magazines. And also studied at the drama school of the Royal Stockholm Drama Theater. The girl was noticed by agents, invited to a cameo in the movie "Peter the Tramp" and soon she became a star of silent movies in Sweden and Germany. In 1923, she changed her last name to Garbo. It was at this time that she caught the eye of Hollywood mogul Louis B. Mayer, who signed her to a one-year contract with MGM. Her first American film role was in Torrent (1926), followed by The Temptress (1926), which brought Garbo stardom.

Garbo was the highest paid actress of the pre-war era. Greta's talented and dramatic performance brought her worldwide fame and the title of one of the best actresses in Hollywood history. Anna Karenina and Mata Hari are two of the most significant roles of the actress. When the era of silent movies ended, a languid low voice with a slight hoarseness became a trademark of Garbo. For his contribution to the development of cinematography in 1954, Garbo was awarded an Oscar.

The life of Greta Garbo is still shrouded in mystery and myths. She was silent, preferred privacy and therefore was surrounded by an atmosphere of mystery. But under the outer facade of aloofness beat sensitive and passionate heart. Greta was a style icon of her time, she was imitated and envied by the stars of Hollywood.

After the outbreak of World War II in 1941, Greta Garbo never returned to the big movie, only sometimes playing occasional roles in small pictures. After the war, she returned to America and lived in seclusion in New York City for another 50 years. She did not give interviews, avoided reporters and went out on the street only when necessary and with dark glasses.