Greta Garbo is the late Swedish-American actress. She remains an enduring icon in the annals of cinema. Renowned for her mesmerizing performances, she is hailed as one of the greatest screen actresses of all time.
Garbo captivated audiences with her enigmatic allure and profound talent. Her memorable roles in classics such as "Ninotchka," "Anna Karenina," and "Queen Christina" showcased her exceptional range and depth as an actress. She passed away on April 15, 1990.
Relationship Status During Her Death
Greta Garbo, at the time of her death, was living a reclusive life. On April 15, 1990, at the age of 84, she passed away at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Greta Garbo in a Photoshoot SOURCE: Pinterest
The cause of Garbo's demise was attributed to pneumonia and kidney failure. Despite her absence from public life in her later years, her impact on the world of cinema endures.
When Greta Almost Married John Gilbert
Greta Garbo nearly tied the knot with fellow actor John Gilbert, but fate had other plans. In 1927, on what was meant to be their wedding day, She left him standing at the altar, as she got scared.
Throughout her lifetime, Garbo remained unmarried. It was a decision that puzzled many but spoke volumes about her fiercely independent spirit. A close friend of her's revealed after her passing that she had once confessed, perhaps under the influence of alcohol, that John was her true love.
However, the prospect of marriage proved daunting for Garbo. The actress admitted to fearing the loss of her autonomy. "I froze," she reportedly confided. "I was afraid he would tell me what to do and boss me. I always wanted to be the boss."
Some Of Garbo's Past Relationships
Gilbert Roland
The relationship between Garbo and Gilbert Roland during the tumultuous times of World War II is shrouded in a mix of intimacy and ambiguity. As he enlisted in the military, she reportedly celebrated his decision by sharing an intimate moment with him, even gifting him a personal memento, a pair of her panties, as a keepsake.
Greta Garbo's ex-partner, Gilbert Roland SOURCE: Pinterest
Roland returned home from leave months later. But, his attempts to reconnect with Garbo were met with silence as she steadfastly refused to take his calls.
Max Gumpel
In the early stages of her romantic life, Garbo found companionship with Max Gumpel. He is speculated to have been her first lover. Gumpel was the owner and manager of one of Sweden's prominent construction firms, as mentioned in Garbo Forever.
Max shared a connection with Garbo when she was just 15 years old, which was the legal age of consent in Sweden at the time. Their relationship blossomed, and they dated for a period, but eventually, in 1921, they decided to part ways.
Erich Remarque
Garbo crossed paths with Erich Maria Remarque in a fateful encounter during a 1941 New Year's Eve celebration. He is the esteemed author of "All Quiet on the Western Front."
German novelist Erich Remarque SOURCE: Pinterest
Despite Remarque's marital status, he embarked on a romantic entanglement with Garbo. What's more crazier is that he later told his wife about it and described the Oscar-nominated actress as being awful in bed.
Mercedes de Acosta
Greta's relationship with Mercedes de Acosta stands as one of her renowned lesbian connections. Spanning over three decades, their bond encompassed friendship, and perhaps, a deeper emotional intimacy.
Despite the absence of an official label on their relationship, de Acosta's 1960 memoir hinted at a profound emotional attachment. Though it refrained from explicit mentions of sexual involvement.
Similarly, de Acosta's letters unveiled years after her passing, shed little light on the physical aspects of their connection. Her documentation did include a photograph of a topless Garbo, hinting at the intimacy shared between the two.
The Obsession With Mimi Pollak
Greta had a deep affection for her drama school sweetheart, the Swedish actress Mimi Pollak. It transcended conventional boundaries, persisting even when Pollak was married to another, as per The Guardian.
When Pollak revealed her pregnancy, Garbo's sentiments remained steadfast, acknowledging the immutable nature of their connection. In a heartfelt letter, she wrote, "We cannot help our nature, as God has created it. But I have always thought you and I belonged together."
Despite the societal constraints of their time, Garbo's love for Pollak endured, as exemplified by a telegram sent upon the birth of Pollak's son, where the "Ninotchka" actress expressed immense pride, signing off as "incredibly proud to be a father."
Garbo's Other Relationships
Greta Garbo's romantic entanglements spanned a wide array of individuals. From her relationship with Cecil Beaton that endured from 1946 to 1972, to brief encounters such as with Rouben Mamoulian in 1933, Nils Asther from 1928 to 1929, and Fifi D'Orsay in 1928, her love life was marked by diversity.
Greta shared fleeting connections with Marlene Dietrich in 1925 and with Charles K. Feldman and Claudette Colbert. Other notable figures included Sydney Guilaroff, Lilyan Tashman, Joseph Kennedy Jr., and Charles Addams.
Throughout the years, the actress was rumored to have been involved with personalities like Aristotle Onassis in 1955, Zsa Zsa Gabor in 1941, and George Schlee in 1940. Her encounters ranged from Leopold Stokowski in 1937 to George Brent in 1934, and Max Baer in 1933.
Even in her earlier years, Greta crossed paths with the likes of Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in 1928 and Johnny Weissmuller in 1930. While some connections were well-documented, others remain speculative, including her rumored encounter with Robert Taylor in 1936.
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