Marlene Dietrich is the greatest singer and actress, one of the fatal beauties of the 1930th century. The owner of a harsh contralto, natural artistic abilities, combined with incredible charm and the ability to present herself on stage. In the XNUMXs, she was one of the highest paid female artists in the world.
She became famous not only in her small homeland, but also far beyond its borders. By right, she is considered the standard of femininity and sexuality.
There are legends about the artist's life. Some consider her a symbol of vice for her numerous connections with men, others - an icon of style and refined taste, a woman worthy of imitation.
So who is Marlene Dietrich? Why does her fate still attract the attention of not only admirers of talent, art critics and historians, but also ordinary people?
An excursion into the biography of Marlene Dietrich
Maria Magdalena Dietrich (real name) was born on December 27, 1901 in Berlin into a wealthy family. The girl knew little of her father. He died when she was 6 years old.
The upbringing was carried out by the mother, a woman with an "iron" character and strict principles. That is why she gave her children (Dietrich had a sister Liesel) an excellent education.
Dietrich was fluent in two foreign languages (English and French), played the lute, violin and piano, and sang. The first public performance took place in the summer of 1917 at a Red Cross concert.
At the age of 16, the girl left school and, at the insistence of her mother, moved to the provincial German town of Weimar, where she lived in a boarding house, continuing her studies in playing the violin. But she was not destined to become a famous violinist.
In 1921, returning to Berlin, she first tried to enter the K. Flesch Higher School of Music, but to no avail. Then in 1922 she entered the acting school of M. Reinhardt at the German theater, but again did not pass the exams.
However, the director of the educational institution noticed the talent of the young lady and privately gave her lessons.
During this time, the girl managed to work in an orchestra accompanying silent films, a dancer in a night cafe. Fortune smiled at Marlene. She first appeared on stage in the theater as an actress at the age of 21.
The creative path of Marlene Dietrich
Since December 1922, a rapid rise in his career began. The young lady was invited to screen tests. She starred in films: “These are men”, “Tragedy of love”, “Cafe Electrician”.
But the real glory came after the release of the film "The Blue Angel" in 1930. The songs performed by Marlene Dietrich from this film became hits, and the actress herself woke up famous.
In the same year, she left Germany for America, signing a lucrative contract with Paramount Pictures. During the cooperation with the Hollywood company, 6 films were shot, which brought Dietrich world fame.
It was at this time that she became the standard of female beauty, a sex symbol, both vicious and innocent, impregnable and insidious.
Then the artist was called back to Germany, but she refused the offer, continuing filming in America, and received American citizenship.
During the Second World War, Marlene interrupted her acting career and sang in front of American soldiers, and publicly criticized the Nazi government. As the artist later said: “This is the only important event in my life.”
After the war, her anti-German activities were appreciated by the French and American authorities, who presented her with medals and orders.
Between 1946 and 1951 the artist was mostly engaged in writing articles for fashion magazines, hosted radio programs, and played episodic roles in films.
In 1953, Marlene Dietrich appeared before the public in a new role as a singer and entertainer. Together with pianist B. Bakarak, she recorded several albums. Since that time, the film star has starred in films less and less.
Upon returning to her homeland, the actress was given a cold welcome. The public did not share her political views, directed against the activities of the German authorities during the Second World War.
At the end of her career, Dietrich starred in several more tapes ("The Nuremberg Trials", "Beautiful Gigolo, Poor Gigolo"). In 1964, the singer gave concerts in Leningrad and Moscow.
In 1975, a successful career was interrupted by an accident. At a performance in Sydney, Dietrich fell into the orchestra pit and suffered a severe fracture of her femur. After being discharged from the hospital, Marlene left for France.
In the last years of her life, the actress practically did not leave the house. It was difficult for her to accept the fact that life would not be the same. Poor health, the death of her husband, fading beauty became the main reasons for the departure of the actress who once shone on the theater stage and in films into the shadows.
On May 6, 1992, Marlene Dietrich passed away. The star was buried in the city cemetery in Berlin next to her mother.
The life of the singer outside the stage and cinema
Marlene Dietrich, like any public figure, often found herself in the spotlight. The audience was fascinated not only by the low strong voice of the singer, but also by the talent of the actress. They were interested in the personal life of the fatal lady.
She was credited with novels with almost half of Hollywood celebrities, millionaires, even with the Kennedy couple. The "yellow" press also hinted at Dietrich's completely unfriendly relations with other women - Edith Piaf, writer from Spain Mercedes de Acosta, ballerina Vera Zorina. Although the actress herself did not comment on this fact.
The film star was married once to the assistant director R. Sieber. The couple lived together for 5 years. In marriage, they had a daughter, Maria, who was raised by her father. Mother devoted herself entirely to her career and love affairs.
Dietrich was widowed in 1976. Why the couple did not officially divorce, living separately, still remains a mystery.
Marlene was not afraid of cardinal changes in her image, openly declaring that beauty for a lady is more important than intelligence. She was the first of the fair sex to wear a pantsuit in the film Morocco (1930), thus revolutionizing the fashion world.
Always and everywhere she took mirrors with her, as she believed that under any circumstances makeup should be perfect. Having entered a venerable age, she became the first artist to undergo plastic surgery - a facelift.
Marlene Dietrich is not just a talented actress and singer who left a bright mark on the history of world cinema, but also a secret woman who lived a bright and eventful life.
Squares in Paris and Berlin are named after her, several films have been made about her, and the Russian singer A. Vertinsky even wrote the song “Marlene” in honor of the artist.
