Sarah Bernhardt

Date of Birth: October 22, 1844

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: March 26, 1923

Biography

Sarah Bernhardt, often hailed as the “Divine Sarah,” was a French stage actress renowned for her dramatic talent, magnetic presence, and pioneering spirit in the world of performing arts. Born on October 22, 1844, in Paris, France, Bernhardt’s career spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries, making her an iconic figure in theater history. Her early life was marked by instability and poverty. She was the illegitimate daughter of Judith Bernard, a Dutch Jewish courtesan, and her father’s identity remains uncertain. Despite these challenges, Bernhardt displayed an early interest in the arts and enrolled in the Conservatoire de Paris, where she honed her craft. Bernhardt made her stage debut in 1862 at the Comédie-Française, but it took years for her to gain significant recognition. Her breakthrough came in the 1870s with her role in “Le Passant” by François Coppée, which established her as a major star. She went on to perform in some of the most prestigious theaters across Europe and the United States, including the Théâtre de la Renaissance and the Théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt, which was named in her honor. Known for her ability to convey deep emotion and her unique voice, Bernhardt was not only a master of the stage but also dabbled in silent films, sculpture, and writing. She was a trailblazer, often playing male roles, including Hamlet, which was unconventional for women of her time. Sarah Bernhardt passed away on March 26, 1923, in Paris, leaving behind a legacy that has influenced generations of actors and performers.

5 Interesting Facts about Sarah Bernhardt

1. Sarah Bernhardt was one of the first actresses to star in a silent film, “Le Duel d’Hamlet,” in 1900.

2. She lost a leg to gangrene in 1915 but continued to perform on stage with a prosthetic limb.

3. Bernhardt maintained a pet menagerie, including a cheetah, a wolf, a boa constrictor, and several alligators.

4. She was famously known for sleeping in a coffin to understand her tragic roles better.

5. Bernhardt was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, for her contributions to the arts.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sarah Bernhardt

1. “Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.”

2. “Your words are my food, your breath my wine. You are everything to me.”

3. “All the world is a stage, and I have played my part.”

4. “It is within the power of every man to become great.”

5. “I adore Chicago. It is the pulse of America.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Sarah Bernhardt’s net worth was estimated to be around $25 million, adjusted for inflation.

Children

Sarah Bernhardt had one child, a son named Maurice Bernhardt, born in 1864. Maurice pursued a career in the arts, though he never achieved the same level of fame as his mother.