Beverly Sills

Date of Birth: May 25, 1929

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: July 2, 2007

Biography

Beverly Sills, born Belle Miriam Silverman, was an American operatic soprano and one of the most celebrated opera singers of the 20th century. She was born on May 25, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrant parents from Ukraine and Romania. Sills showed an early talent for singing and began performing on the radio as “Bubbles Silverman” when she was just three years old. She made her professional stage debut in 1947 with a touring Gilbert and Sullivan opera company. Sills gained international fame in the 1960s and 1970s for her performances in operas such as “The Barber of Seville,” “La Traviata,” and “Manon.” Her career was marked by a combination of technical skill, emotional depth, and a charismatic stage presence. She was not only a brilliant vocalist but also a versatile performer who could handle both comedic and dramatic roles with equal finesse. After retiring from the stage in 1980, Sills took on leadership roles in the arts community, including serving as the General Director of the New York City Opera and later as the Chairwoman of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Metropolitan Opera. Her contributions to the arts extended beyond her performances, as she became a tireless advocate for arts education and accessibility. Beverly Sills passed away on July 2, 2007, in New York City from lung cancer. She left behind a legacy of artistic excellence and public service that continues to inspire.

5 Interesting Facts about Beverly Sills

1. Beverly Sills was fluent in multiple languages, including French, Italian, and German, which greatly enhanced her operatic career.

2. She was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1971, a rare honor for an opera singer at the time.

3. Sills was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

4. Despite her public success, she faced personal challenges, including raising two children with disabilities.

5. She made significant contributions to the New York City Opera, helping to stabilize its finances and broaden its repertoire.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Beverly Sills

1. “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”

2. “You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.”

3. “Art is the signature of civilizations.”

4. “I’ve always tried to go a step past wherever people expected me to end up.”

5. “You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish, if you hold to that desire with singleness of purpose.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Beverly Sills’ net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Beverly Sills had two children with her husband Peter Greenough: a daughter, Meredith (“Muffy”) Greenough, who was born deaf, and a son, Peter Greenough Jr., who was born with multiple sclerosis.