Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

Date of Birth: January 28, 1873

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: August 3, 1954

Biography

Sidonie Gabrielle Colette, known simply as Colette, was a French novelist and performer born on January 28, 1873, in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, France. She is best known for her novel “Gigi,” which was later adapted into a highly successful film and stage musical. Colette’s literary career began under the influence of her first husband, Henri Gauthier-Villars, a writer and critic who published her early work under his own name. After their separation, Colette pursued her career independently, writing a series of novels that explored themes of love, sexuality, and identity. Colette was also known for her work as a mime, actress, and journalist. She was a controversial figure in her time, noted for her unconventional relationships and her bold exploration of female sexuality. Her work earned her numerous accolades, including admission to the Belgian Royal Academy and the Légion d’Honneur. Colette passed away on August 3, 1954, and was the first woman to be given a state funeral in France.

5 Interesting Facts about Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

1. Colette was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948.

2. Her novel “Gigi” was adapted into a highly successful film in 1958, winning nine Academy Awards.

3. Colette was an accomplished performer and mime, performing at the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris.

4. She was openly bisexual, which was quite controversial during her time.

5. Colette was the first woman in France to receive a state funeral.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

1. “What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.”

2. “You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.”

3. “I am going away with him to an unknown country where I shall have no past and no name, and where I shall be born again with a new face and an untried heart.”

4. “Sit down and put everything in order. Write down your sorrows and your joys, your miseries and your conquests, your loves and your hatreds, your memories and your ambitions.”

5. “The true traveler is he who goes on foot, and even then, he sits down a lot of the time.”