NAME Sarah Bernhardt
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Sarah Bernhardt was one of the most renowned stage actresses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was known for her exceptional talent, dramatic performances, and captivating presence on stage.
BIRTH Sarah Bernhardt was born on October 22, 1844, in Paris, France.
FAMILY BACKGROUND She was born to Julie Bernardt, a Dutch Jewish courtesan, whose exact ancestry remains uncertain. Her father's identity is not definitively known, though some sources suggest he was a French lawyer named Édouard Bernardt. Sarah was raised with two half-sisters.
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| Bernhardt with her mother |
CHILDHOOD Bernhardt's childhood was marked by instability and hardship. Raised primarily by her mother, she experienced poverty and struggled with her identity due to her illegitimate birth. She was exposed to the bohemian lifestyle of her mother's circle.
EDUCATION Bernhardt received her early education at the Grandchamp Convent in Versailles but left at the age of 13 to pursue a career on the stage.
She studied acting at the prestigious Paris Conservatory from January 1860 until 1862 under two prominent actors of the Comédie Française, Joseph-Isidore Samson and Jean-Baptiste Provost.
CAREER RECORD Sarah Bernhardt's career spanned over six decades, during which she achieved international fame and acclaim for her performances in both classic and contemporary plays. She performed in theaters across Europe and the United States, captivating audiences with her powerful and emotive acting style. Here's her resume:
Debuted in 1862, but initial success came later in the 1870s.
Gained international fame for her performances in plays by Racine, Hugo, Dumas fils, and others.
Established her own theater company in 1880, touring extensively throughout Europe and the Americas.
Played both female and male roles, including Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Known for her innovative and captivating portrayals of tragic heroines.
APPEARANCE Bernhardt was known for her striking appearance, with expressive eyes, a prominent nose, and a slender figure. Her unique beauty contributed to her allure on stage and in the public eye.
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| Bernhardt photographed by Nadar, 1865 |
FASHION Sarah Bernhardt was a trendsetter whose flamboyant and dramatic costumes became an extension of her performances. She favored luxurious fabrics, elaborate embroidery, and bold colors. Her signature style often incorporated feathers, jewels, and flowing trains.
Bernhardt also defied convention by wearing male attire on stage for roles like Hamlet, shocking audiences and pushing boundaries. Her influence extended beyond the theater, with fashion designers and the general public taking inspiration from her daring sense of style.
CHARACTER Bernhardt was characterized by her determination, ambition, and passion for her craft. She was known for her strong will and independent spirit, breaking barriers and challenging societal norms for women in the performing arts.
SENSE OF HUMOUR While Bernhardt's public persona was often serious and enigmatic, she was known to have a playful and witty sense of humor in private.
RELATIONSHIPS Bernhardt was a fiercely independent woman who never married. However, she had several high-profile romantic relationships throughout her life. These included actors, playwrights, and even a prince. While some relationships were passionate, others were more platonic, often built on mutual respect and artistic collaboration.
Bernhardt also maintained close friendships with artists, writers, and intellectuals, forming a vibrant social circle that fueled her creativity.
MONEY AND FAME Throughout her career, Bernhardt achieved both wealth and fame, becoming one of the highest-paid actresses of her time and a household name around the world. She was known as "The Divine Sarah."
FOOD AND DRINK Bernhardt was a vegan for much of her life, avoiding dairy, eggs and meat. Her diet consisted of cereal, fruit, nuts and vegetables. She consumed fish and dairy in her older years and favoured Gruyère or Pont-l'Évêque cheese.
MUSIC AND ARTS In addition to her acting career, Bernhardt was also a talented visual artist, sculptor, and writer. She had a keen appreciation for music and the arts, often attending concerts, exhibitions, and literary salons.
Sarah Bernhardt was a whirlwind of talent and eccentricity. Her debut in 1862 was respectable – Racine's Iphigenie, all very dramatic sighs and flowing gowns. and made her name in 1869 at the Odéon in the breeches part of Zanetto in Francois Francois Coppée's The Passer-by.
From there, Bernhardt became a theatrical powerhouse. Ibsen, Shakespeare, Moliere – you name the playwright, she devoured the role.
Then came the whole film thing. After her movie debut in Le Duel d'Hamlet (1900), Bernhardt declared she detested the medium; Then she made another, La Tosca, (1909), because, well, money talks. But after seeing the final product, she reportedly went into a full-on diva meltdown, demanding the negative be destroyed. The story goes she watched the final product, recoiled in horror, and demanded they chuck the whole thing in the Seine.
Sarah Bernhardt then made Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth, (1912) in Britain. The profits from this one, ironically, helped launch Paramount Studios – seems even the Divine Sarah couldn't resist leaving her mark on Hollywood, even if it was through gritted teeth.
LITERATURE Bernhardt was an avid reader and lover of literature, counting many writers and poets among her friends and admirers. She also wrote several memoirs and essays reflecting on her life and career including My Double Life: Memoirs of Sarah Bernhardt (1907),.
NATURE While Bernhardt's life was primarily centered around the stage and urban culture, she occasionally sought refuge and inspiration in the beauty of nature, particularly during periods of rest and relaxation.
Bernhardt wasn't just about conquering stages. Her taste in pets leaned towards the, well, let's say unconventional. A lion lounging in the living room? Check. A gaggle of chameleons for some living room feng shui? Absolutely. Let's not forget the poor alligator who met an unfortunate end thanks to a diet of milk and champagne.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Outside of her acting career, Bernhardt had a passion for horseback riding, which she pursued as a hobby and recreational activity.
SCIENCE AND MATHS Although Bernhardt's education was not focused on science or mathematics, she had a keen intellect and an appreciation for the advancements of her time.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY While not known for any specific philosophical or theological beliefs, Bernhardt's life and work reflected themes of passion, redemption, and the human condition explored through the medium of drama.
SCANDAL Bernhardt's unconventional personal life, including her numerous relationships and affairs, occasionally caused scandal and controversy in the conservative societies of her time.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Sarah Bernhardt faced numerous health challenges throughout her life. On February 22, 1915, at the age of 71, she underwent a right leg amputation above the knee. This drastic measure was necessitated by a long-standing knee injury, initially sustained during a performance in Rio de Janeiro where she landed awkwardly on stage. The injury, exacerbated by her dramatic leaps in productions like La Tosca, worsened over time, leading to infection and dangerous swelling.
Bernhardt's health struggles extended beyond her knee. She likely battled pulmonary tuberculosis, which emerged roughly twelve years before her arthritis. Chronic inflammatory arthritis plagued her right knee for over 25 years, causing recurrent and eventually persistent pain. Further complicating her health, she suffered from kidney issues. In 1917, she was hospitalized in New York for severe uremia, requiring surgery to remove kidney stones. Progressive renal failure also impacted her in her later years.
Despite these significant health obstacles, including the amputation, Bernhardt's passion for the stage remained undiminished. She continued her acting career, performing in a wheelchair and later with a wooden prosthetic leg. Her dedication to theater persisted until her death at the age of 78.
HOMES Bernhardt lived in a variety of residences throughout her career. In Paris, she owned a luxurious mansion filled with art and theatrical memorabilia. However, her life as a touring actress meant she also spent considerable time in temporary lodgings and hotels around the world. Despite the glamorous image she projected, some of these accommodations were likely less than luxurious, a stark contrast to the grandeur of her stage persona.
When she wasn't captivating audiences, Bernhardt collected chairs. Every city she visited, every performance hall, every questionable back alley – if there was a chair for sale, Bernhardt snapped it up. Her homes resembled overstuffed antique shops, each chair whispering tales of past performances.
TRAVEL Bernhardt became a pioneer of international theater tours. She brought French productions to audiences across Europe and the Americas, defying the limitations of her time. Traveling by train and ship, she endured long journeys and demanding performance schedules. Her tours not only spread her fame but also exposed audiences to new theatrical styles and ideas. Through travel, Bernhardt became a global cultural icon.
Sarah Bernhardt's 1891-1892 world tour was a massive undertaking. She captivated audiences across Europe, Russia, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Samoa. Traveling with her were 45 costume crates representing 15 different productions, and a staggering 75 crates for her personal wardrobe, including 250 pairs of shoes. Her luggage also included trunks for perfumes, cosmetics, makeup, and even her own sheets, tablecloths, and five pillows. This theatrical and logistical feat paid off handsomely: Bernhardt, famously wary of banks, returned to Paris with a trunk containing 3.5 million francs. (1)
After a flight on a balloon Bernhardt wrote a book entitled Dans les nuages, impressions d'une chaise (In clouds, impressions of a chair) – a title that perfectly captures Bernhardt's unique brand of flamboyant weirdness.
DEATH Bernhardt was a little worried by thoughts of death. At the age of 15 she bought a coffin in which sometimes she slept. On stage she preferred characters that died at the drama's end.
Bernhardt died from uremia following kidney failure on March 26, 1923, in Paris, France, aged 78 Her death was met with widespread mourning, with the phrase "Bernhardt is dead" on everyone's lips in Paris.
The funeral of Sarah Bernhardt took place on Thursday, March 29, 1923, at the Church of St. Francois de Sales in Paris. In accordance with her wishes, the funeral was simple, with many flowers but no funeral orations. Despite the simplicity, the event drew massive crowds, with the funeral procession stretching half a mile long through densely packed streets.
Following the funeral service, Sarah Bernhardt was buried in the family tomb at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. This cemetery is the final resting place of many great French men and women.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Even after her death, Sarah Bernhardt's legacy continues to captivate audiences. She has been portrayed in numerous films and stage productions, with actresses inspired by her powerful performances. Documentaries and biographies explore her life and career, ensuring her story remains relevant for new generations.
ACHIEVEMENTS Sarah Bernhardt's greatest achievement lies in her unparalleled contributions to the performing arts, revolutionizing the craft of acting and leaving an indelible mark on the history of theater. Her legacy continues to inspire actors and audiences alike, more than a century after her death.
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