Greta Garbo

Today, seventeen years ago, died one of the most incredible women that ever lived: Greta Garbo. Born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, she was ranked by the American Film Institute the fifth best female film star. This chamaleonic G-d was known by her reclusive life, never appearing much outside the movies ["Expect at the very beginning of her career, she granted no interviews, signed no autographs, attended no premieres, and answered no fan mail."]. Onscreen she did iconic characters like Mata Hari, Anna Karenina and Marguerite Gautier [Camille], plus the lovely Ninotchka [my favorite so far]. In her 1932 movie, Grand Hotel, she played the melancholic ballerina Grusinskaya who fell in love with a con man [John Barrymore]; Grusinskaya had a line that was considered Garbo's byline: "I want to be alone!" The only Oscar she received was a 1995 Honorary Oscar "for her unforgettable screen performances." In Hollywood she became a star still in the silent era; Anna Christie, her transition movie to the talkies was publicized with the slogan "Garbo Talks"; the movie was a hit of course, even if she claimed to hate her performance on it.

Lesbian, Garbo remained single during most of her life. Her most famous heterosexual relationship though, was with actor John Gilbert, who co-starred with her the 1926 silent classic Flesh And The Devil. In 1927 she failed to show up at their marriage ceremony.

In her 1990 [six months before garbo's death] classic hit Madonna homages Garbo on the celebrity names rap. Garbo was beautiful! The camera loved her and her serious countenance looked perfect in any makeup and characterizantion. Her mysterious personality and glamour were mesmerizing, her eyes "filled with look and emotions". It's said that Garbo completely ignored Madonna and some even say she despised Madge's desire for attention-crave in the 80's.

Garbo died from end stage renal disease and pneoumonia.