16-17th Cent. Margherita of Savoy, Duchess Consort of Mantua and Montferrat.

Margherita of Savoy was born on 28 April 1589, in Torino. She was the daughter of Catalina Micaela of Spain (10 October 1567 - 6 November 1597) and Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy (1562-). Her maternal grandparents were Élisabeth de Valois, Queen Consort of Spain (2 April 1545 - 3 October 1568) and Felipe II, King of Spain (21 May 1527 - 13 September 1598). Her mother, Catalina Micaela of Spain died on 6 November 1597. Margherita of Savoy married Francesco IV, Duke of Mantua (1586-1612) on 19 February 1608, in  Turin. He was the son of Vincent I, Duke of Mantua.

The Children of Margherita of Savoy and Francesco IV:

Maria Gonzaga (29 July 1609 - 14 August 1660) Married Charles of Nevers.

Ludovico (27 April 1611 - 3 August 1612) 

Eleonora (12 September 1612 - 13 September 1612)

Her husband, Francesco IV died in 1612. Margherita of Savoy died on 26 June 1655, in Miranda.

19th Cent. Princess Eugenia of Sweden and Norway

 

Charlotta Eugenia Augusta Amalia Albertina was born on 24 April 1830, at Stockholm Palace, in Stockholm, Sweden. She was the daughter of Joséphine of Leuchtenberg (14 March 1807 - 7 June 1876) and Joseph François Oscar Bernadotte (4 July 1799 - 8 July 1859). Her maternal grandparents were Princess Augusta Amalia of Bavaria (21 June 1788 - 13 May 1851) and Eugène Rose de Beauharnais (3 September 1781 - 21 February 1824). Her paternal grandparents were Désirée Clary, Queen Consort of Sweden and Norway (8 November 1777 - 17 December 1860) and Karl XIV Johan, King of Sweden and Norway (26 January 1763 - 8 March 1844). Eugenia's parents were married on 19 June 1823, in Stockholm. Her siblings were: Karl Ludvig Eugen (3 May 1826 - 18 September 1872), Frans Gustaf Oscar (18 June 1827 - 24 September 1852), Oscar Frederik (21 January 1829 - 8 December 1907) and Nikolaus August (24 August 1831 - 4 March 1873). Her grandfather, Karl XIV Johan died on 8 March 1844, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was buried in Riddarholmskyrkan, in Stockholm. He was succeeded by her father, as Oscar I, King of Sweden and Norway, with her mother Joséphine as his Consort. Her brother, Crown Prince Karl married Louise of the Netherlands (1828-1871) on 19 June 1850, in Stockholm. Her father, Oscar I died 8 July 1859, in Stockholm. He was succeeded by her brother, as Karl XV in Sweden and Karl IV in Norway. Her mother, Joséphine died on 7 June 1876, in Stockholm. She was interred in Riddarholmen Church. Eugenia was devoted to art and charity. She drew the child with a dog, entitled "Can't you speak?" In 1864, her book Swedish Princesses was published. In 1882, Eugeniahemmet was founded. She never married, nor had any children. Eugenia died aged 58, on 23 April 1889, at Stockholm Palace, in, Stockholm, Sweden.

19th Cent. Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë was born 21 April 1816, in Thornton, Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of Maria Branwell Brontë (1783-1821) and Patrick Brontë (1777-1861). Her maternal grandparents were Anne Crane and Thomas Branwell. Her paternal grandparents were Eleanor McCrory and Hugh Brunty. Charlotte's parents were married on 29 December 1812. Her siblings were Maria Brontë (1814-1825), Elizabeth (1815-1825), Patrick Branwell (1817-1848), Emily Jane Brontë (1818-1848) and Anne Brontë (1820-1849). In April 1820, the family moved to the Haworth Parsonage. In 1821, when her mother became ill, her Aunt Elizabeth Branwell came to help the family. Maria Branwell Brontë died on 15 September 1821. She was buried on 22 September 1821, in Haworth Church. In 1824, Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily Jane were sent to the school, Crofton Hall in Crofton, West Yorkshire. Her sister, Maria died of consumption on 6 May 1825. Elizabeth died of consumption in May 1825. Charlotte and Emily Jane were brought home from school and their Aunt Elizabeth stayed with them. Charlotte and Branwell wrote Byronic stories about their country, Angria. While Anne and Emily wrote about theirs, Gondal. In January 1831, Charlotte continued her education at Roe Head, Mirfield. There she met Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor. Charlotte began to work as a teacher on 29 July 1835, at Roe Head School. In 1842, Charlotte and Emily attended a boarding school run by Claire Zoé Parent Heger (1814-1891) and Constantin Heger (1809-1896), in Brussels. They went home when, Aunt Elizabeth Branwell died in early November 1842. In January 1843, Charlotte traveled alone to Brussels. In January 1844, she returned home to Haworth. In the summer of 1845, after Charlotte came across Emily's poems, the three sisters revealed their poems and decided to have them published. With the inheritance from their Aunt Branwell, the Brontë sisters paid to have their poem collection published. They kept it a secret and used the pen names Anne as Acton Bell, Emily as Ellis Bell and Charlotte as Currer Bell. In May 1846, Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell was for sale. In October 1847, Charlotte's novel Jane Eyre was published. According to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë , "Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee, is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns." In July 1848, Thomas Newby marketed Anne's second book, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to an American publisher, affirming that the Bells were one person. Charlotte and Anne went to London to reveal their identities to the publishers, but Emily refused to go with them. In 1848, Charlotte published Shirley. Her brother, Branwell died on Sunday, 24 September 1848. Her sister, Emily died of tuberculosis on Tuesday, 19 December 1848. Anne was also ill. In February 1849, Anne felt better and decided to make a visit to Scarborough. Anne, Charlotte and Ellen left Haworth on 24 May 1849, for Scarborough. They had a stop on their journey in York. Anne died of pulmonary tuberculosis on Monday, 28 May 1849, in Scarborough. The funeral was held on Wednesday, 30 May 1849, at Christ Church, in Scarborough. She was buried at St. Mary's Church, Castle Hill, in Scarborough. Charlotte Brontë married Arthur Bell Nicholls in June 1854. She soon became pregnant. According to Charlotte Brontë, "Memory in youth is active and easily impressible; in old age it is comparatively callous to new impressions, but still retains vividly those of earlier years." And, "I'm just going to write because I cannot help it." Charlotte Brontë died aged 38, on 31 March 1855, with her unborn baby, in Haworth, Yorkshire. She was buried in The Church of St. Michael and All Angels, in Haworth.

 

"The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed." Charlotte Brontë

Excerpt: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

16th Cent. Lady Mary Grey

 

Lady Mary Grey was born in 1545. She was the daughter of Frances Grey (16 July 1517 - 20 November 1559) and Henry Grey, Marquess of Dorset (17 January 1515 - 23 February 1554). Her maternal grandparents were Mary Tudor (18 March 1496 - 25 June 1533) and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Her paternal grandparents were Margaret Wotton and Thomas Grey. Mary's parents were married in 1533, in Southwark, London. She had two  sisters, Lady Jane Grey (1537 - 12 February 1554) and Lady Katherine Grey (25 August 1540 - 26 January 1568). Henry VIII, King of England (28 June 1491 - 28 January 1547) died 28 January 1547, at Palace of Whitehall. He was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was succeeded by his son, as Edward VI, King of England (12 October 1537 - 6 July 1553). Her sister, Lady Jane married Guildford Dudley (ca 1533/1536 - 12 February 1553) and her sister, Catherine married Henry Herbert on 25 May 1553, at Durham House, in London. Edward VI died on 6 July 1553. The death was kept secret for several days to prevent Edward's sister Princess Mary (18 February 1516 - 17 November 1558) from claiming the crown. Lady Jane was Proclaimed Queen of England on Monday, 10 July 1553. Jane was ordered to resign the title of Queen on 19 July 1553, by order of the newly appointed Queen Mary. John Dudley was executed on Monday, 23 August 1553, at Tower Hill. Jane and Guilford were tried and sentenced to death on 13 November 1553, at Guildhall. Lady Jane and Guildforf Dudley were executed on 12 February 1554, at Tower of London. Her father, Henry, Duke of Suffolk was executed on 19 February 1554. Her sister, Catherine's husband, Henry had their marriage annulled. Her mother, Frances Brandon married Adrian Stokes in March 1555. They had two children, Elizabeth Stokes (16 July 1555 - 7 February 1556) and a stillborn Son (December 1556). Queen Mary I died on 17 November 1558, at St. James Palace, in London. She was buried in Westminster Abbey, in London. She was succeeded by her half-sister, as Elizabeth I, Queen of England and Ireland (7 September 1533 - 24 March 1603). Her mother, Frances died 20 November 1559. She was buried at Westminster Abbey. Her sister, Lady Katherine Grey married secretly Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford in December 1560. Katherine and Edward were imprisoned in the Tower of London. Their marriage was annulled in 1562. Katherine gave birth to two sons, Edward Seymour (1561-1612) and Thomas Seymour (1563 -) in the Tower. Mary Grey married secretly Thomas Keyes in 1565. He was a gatekeeper in the Royal Household. Elizabeth I had the couple arrested when she discovered the marriage. Mary was placed under custody and Thomas was sent to Fleet Prison. They never saw each other again. Her sister, Katherine Grey died on 26 January 1568, at Cockfield Hall, in Oxford. She was buried in Cockfield Chapel, Yoxford Church, in Suffolk. Thomas died in 1572. Mary was then released. Mary Grey died aged 33, on 20 April 1578.

Taurus (20 April - 20 May)

18th Cent. Florimond Claude, Comte de Mercy-Argenteau (20 April 1727 - 25 August 1794)

19th Cent. Franz Xaver Winterhalter (20 April 1805 - 8 July 1873)

20th Cent. Jayne Mansfield

Vera Jayne Palmer was born on 19 April 1933, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA. She was the daughter of Vera Jeffrey Palmer (1903-2000) and Herbert William Palmer (1904-1936). Her father died of a heart attack in 1936. In 1939, her mother met Harry L. Peers and they moved to Dallas, Texas. She attended the Highland Park High School, in Dallas. Jayne Palmer married Paul Mansfield in May 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas. In June 1950, she graduated from Highland Park High School. Jayne and Paul had a daughter, Jayne Marie born on 8 November 1950. According to Jayne, "Carrying a baby is the most rewarding experience a woman can enjoy." In 1951, she attended drama classes at the Universety of Texas, in Austin. In 1952, Paul joined the army for the Korean War. She stated; "War is a foolish, childish, animalistic, unthinking, unintelligent way of trying to accomplish a purpose." In 1954, the family moved to California, where she studied acting at UCLA. She later said; "I didn't come to Hollywood to be the girl next door. I came to be a movie star." Paul Mansfield soon left his wife and daughter and went to Texas. Jayne was a brunette, but adviced to go blonde. After she dyed her hair, she was often compared to Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962). In February 1955, Jayne Mansfield was the Playboy Playmate of the Month. In 1955, Mansfield appeared on stage in the play, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter on Broadway. Also in 1955, she starred in Pete Kelly's Blues, as Candy Price in Female Jungle and Angel O'Hara in Illegal. In 1956, as Jerri Jordan in The Girl Can't Help It.  

"I've got the strangest build. It's big in the hips, small in the waist and I've got these enormous... shoulders."

In 1957, Jayne Mansfield appeared as Camille Oakes in The Wayward Bus opposite Joan Collins, Rita Marlowe in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? and Alice Kratzner in Kiss Them for Me. In 1957, she won a Golden Globe as Most Promising Female Newcomer. She bought an old Hollywood Mansion, which she called the Pink Palace.  Jayne and Paul Mansfield were divorced on 8 January 1958. Jayne Mansfield married her second husband, Mickey Hargitay on 13 January 1958, at the Wayfarer's Chapel, in Palos Verdes, California. Jayne and Mickey had three children, two sons and one daughter: Mickey Jr. born on 21 December 1958, Zoltan born on 1 August 1960 and Mariska born on 24 January 1964. According to Jayne Mansfield, "I have always considered my career self and my personal self as two different and separate people. There's a Jayne Mansfield at home, a wife and devoted mother, and there's Jayne the sex symbol, which is my career. I have always kept them completely apart and separate." In 1958, she was Kate in The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw.

"I like being a pin-up girl, there's nothing wrong with it."

In 1960, she starred in Too Hot to Handle, Billy in The Challenge and Queen Deianira in The Love of Hercules. In 1961, she was Lisa Lang in The George Raft Story. In 1962, Eleni Costa in It Happened in Athens. In 1963, she published her autobiography, Jayne Mansfield's Wild, Wild World. In 1963, she was Sandy Brooks in Promises! Promises!

"Sex appeal is a wonderful, warm, womanly, healthy feeling. If you're a woman it's womanly, if you're not it's manly… it comes only from inside… it's an effervescent desire to enjoy life."

Mansfield and Hargitay were divorced on 26 August 1964. Jayne Mansfield married her third husband, Matt Cimber on 24 September 1964. In 1964, she starred as Dr. Jane in Primitive Love, Angela in Panic Button and Darlene in Dog Eat Dog. Jayne and Matt had a son, Antonio born 18 October 1965. 

"Looks don't regulate a girl's body temperature, at least not this girl's body temperature. Intelligence in a man is the keynote and no girl in her right mind is going to go shopping for a man who's handsome and husky alone."

Mansfield and Cimber were divorced in July 1966. In 1966, she was Tawny in The Las Vegas Hillbillys and Junior in The Fat Spy.

"We eat a lot of lean meat and fresh vegetables. You are what you eat, you know. When I'm 100 I'll still be doing pin-ups."

In 1967, Jayne Mansfield appeared in A Guide for the Married Man. According to Jayne Mansfild; "I will never be satisfied. Life is one constant search for betterment for me." She continued; "I'd like ten more babies and ten more chihuahuas and a few Academy Awards. Meanwhile, I enjoy being a sex symbol and making people happy." And; "You know which title I like best? I like to be called mother." Jayne Mansfield, Sam Brody, three of her children Mickey Jr., Mariska, and Zoltan and the driver Ronnie Harrison crashed into a trailer truck on 29 June 1967, on U.S. Highway 90, near Slidell, in Louisiana, USA. The children in the backseat survived. She was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Pen Argyl. In 1968, her final film, Single Room Furnished was released. Jayne Mansfield has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6328 Hollywood Boulevard. In March 2008, Jayne Mansfield was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame, in Austin, Texas.

"I guess a lot of people think that a girl who shows her bosom and wears tight dresses can't be close to God. God has always been close to me. Only He knew what was in my heart." Jayne Mansfield

Source: Jayne Mansfield's Wild, Wild World by Jayne Mansfield.

15-16th Cent. Lucrezia Borgia, Duchess of Ferrara.

Lucrezia Borgia was born on 18 April 1480. She was the daughter of Vannozza de Cattanei and Rodrigo Borgia (1 January 1431 - 18 August 1503). Her brothers included: Juan Borgia, Cesare Borgia, Giovanni Borgia and Gioffre Borgia. Lucrezia Borgia married Don Gasparo on 30 April 1491. The marriage was annulled in 1492. After the death of Pope Innocent VIII, her father was elected Pope on 11 August 1492, as Alexander VI. Lucrezia Borgia married her second husband, Giovanni Sforza (1466 - 27 July 1510) by proxy on 12 June 1493, before they were married in person in 1494, in the Vatican City. He was the son of Gradara (July 1447 - 4 July 1483) and Costanzo I of Sforza, Lord of Pesaro. Lucrezia was his second wife, Giovanni married first Maddalena Gonzaga in 1489. Maddalena died in 1490. Lucrezia and Giovanni stayed in Pesaro, before they in 1495, returned to Rome. In February 1497, Giovanni left Rome for a military campaign. Giovanni Sforza was forced to sign the annulment of their marriage on 20 December 1497. At this time, Lucrezia had become pregnant by her father's messenger, Pedro Calderon. She stayed at a convent until the child, Giovanni was born in 1498. Pedro Calderon was murdered in February 1498. Lucrezia Borgia married her third husband, Alfonso of Aragon on 21 July 1498. They had a son, Rodrigo born on 1 November 1499. Alfonso of Aragon was murdered in 1500. Lucrezia Borgia married her fourth husband, Alfonso d'Este, Prince of Ferrara (21 July 1476 - 31 October 1534) on 30 December 1501. He was the son of Leonora of Naples and Ercole I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. Lucrezia had an affair with her sister-in-law, Isabella d'Este's husband, Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua (10 August 1466 - 29 March 1519). Her father-in-law, Ercole I died in 1505. He was succeeded by her husband Alfonso as Duke of Ferrara. Lucrezia and Alfonso's first child, a son named Ercole was born on 5 April 1508.

The Children of Lucrezia Borgia:

Acknowledged by Pedro Calderon:
Giovanni Borgia (1498-1548)
By her 3rd husband Alfonso of Aragon:

Rodrigo Borgia of Aragon (1 November 1499 - August 1512)
By her 4th husband Alfonso d'Este:
Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara (5 April 1508 - 3 October 1559)
Ippolito II d'Este, Archbishop of Milan (25 August 1509 - 1 December 1572)
Alessandro d'Este (1514 - 1516)
Leonora d'Este (3 July 1515 - 15 July 1575)
Francesco d'Este, Marchese di Massalombarda (1 November 1516 - 2 February 1578)
Isabella Maria d'Este (14 June 1519 - 14 June 1519)

Lucrezia Borgia gave birth to her eight child, a daughter, Isabella Maria d'Este on 14 June 1519. The baby girl died the day she was born. Lucrezia Borgia died on 24 June 1519, in Ferrara. She was interred at the Convent of Corpus Domini.

18th Cent. Ballerina Marie de Camargo

 

Marie Anne de Cupis de Camargo was born on 15 April 1710, in Brussels. She was the daughter of Ferdinand Joseph de Cupis. In 1720, Francoise Prevost became her dance teacher. Marie de Camargo made her debut in Les Caracteres de la Danse on 5 May 1726, at the Paris Opera Ballet, in Paris. In 1730, Mademoiselle Marie de Camargo was painted by the artist, Nicolas Lancret (1690-1743). From around 1736 to 1741, Marie de Camargo was the mistress of Louis de Bourbon, Count of Clermont. After the relationship ended the ballerina, known as Mademoiselle de Camargo or La Camargo returned to stage and continued to seduce in her short skirt with her entrechat quatre. In 1951, she retired. Marie de Camargo died aged 60, on 20 April 1770, in Paris, France.

17th Cent. Christian V, King of Denmark and Norway.

 

Christian was born 15 April 1646, at Duborg Castle, in Flensburg. He was the son of Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg (24 March 1628 - 20 February 1685) and Frederick III, King of Denmark and Norway (18 March 1609 - 9 February 1670). His maternal grandparents were Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt (30 July 1601 - 6 May 1659) and George, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (17 November 1582 - 2 April 1641). His paternal grandparents were Anne Catherine of Brandenburg, Queen Consort of Denmark and Norway (26 June 1575 - 8 April 1612) and Christian IV, King of Denmark and Norway (12 April 1577 - 28 February 1648). Christian's parents were married on 1 October 1643, at Castle Glücksburg. His siblings were: Anna Sophia (1 September 1647 - 1 July 1717), Frederika Amalia (11 April 1649 - 30 October 1704), Wilhelmina Ernestina (21 June 1650 - 22 April 1706), Frederick (11 October 1651 - 14 March 1652), George (2 April 1653 - 28 October 1708), Ulrika Eleonora (11 September 1656 - 26 October 1693) and Dorothea (16 November 1657 - 15 May 1658). Queen Sophie Amalie and King Frederick III were crowned 23 November 1648, in Vor Frue Kirke. Christian married Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel (27 April 1650 - 27 March 1714) on 25 June 1667, at Nykøbing Castle, in Falster. She was the daughter of Hedwig Sophie of Brandenburg (1623-1683) and Landgrave Wilhelm VI of Hesse-Kassel (23 May 1629 - 16 July 1663). Frederick III died on 9 February 1670. He was interred in Roskilde Cathedral. He was succeeded by his son, as Christian V.
 

The Children of Charlotte Amalie and Christian V:

Frederick IV, King of Denmark and Norway (11 October 1671 - 12 October 1730) Married Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow in 1695. Christian Vilhelm (1672-1673)

Christian (25 March 1675 - 27 June 1695)

Princess Sophia Hedwig of Denmark (28 August 1677 - 13 March 1735)

Christiane Charlotte ( 18 Januar 1679 - 24 August 1689)

Carl (26 October 1680 - 8 June 1729)

Vilhelm (21 February 1687 - 23 November 1705)

In 1771, Christian V publicly introduced to Court his mistress, Sophie Amalie Moth (1654 - 17 January 1719). She was the daughter of his former tutor, Paul Moth. Sophie Amalie bore the King five children, each of whom he acknowledged publicly and gave the surname Gyldenløve.

The acknowledged illegitimate Children of Mistress Sophie Amalie and Christian V:

Christiane Gyldenløve (1672)

Christian Gyldenløve (1674)

Sophie Christiane Gyldenløve (1675)

Anna Christiane Gyldenløve (1676)

Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve (1678)

 

The King made his mistress, Sophie Amalie, Countess of Samsø on 31 December 1677. His mother, Sophie Amalie died on 20 February 1685, in Copenhagen. She was interred beside her husband in the Roskilde Cathedral. His son, Frederick married Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (28 August 1667 - 15 March 1721) on 5 December 1695. She was the daughter of Magdalene Sibylle of Holstein-Gottorp (1631-1719) and Duke Gustav Adolf of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (1633-1695). Christian V died aged 53, on 25 August 1699, in Copenhagen. He was interred in Roskilde Cathedral. He was succeeded by his son, as Frederick IV. His wife, Charlotte Amalie died of scarlet fever on 27 March 1714, in Copenhagen. She was interred in Roskilde Cathedral.

15-16th Cent. Leonardo da Vinci (15 April 1452 - 2 May 1519)

17-18th Cent. Catherine I, Empress of Russia (15 April 1684 - 17 May 1727)

20-21st Cent. Ann Miller

Johnnie Lucille Ann Collier was born on 12 April 1923, in Chireno, Nacogdoches County, Texas. She was the daughter of Clara Emma Birdwell and John Alfred Collier. In 1934, Ann Collier appeared in Anne of Green Gables. In 1935, in The Good Fairy. In 1936, she was a dancer in the Black Cat Club, in San Francisco. In 1936, she got a contract with RKO. In 1936, she starred in The Devil on Horseback. In 1937, in New Faces of 1937, The Life of the Party and Stage Door. In 1938, Radio City Revels, Having Wonderful Time, You Can't Take It with You, Room Service and Tarnished Angel. In 1940, Too Many Girls and Melody Ranch. In 1941, she was offered a contract at Columbia Pictures. In 1941, she starred in Time Out for Rhythm and Go West, Young Lady. In 1942, in True to the Army and Priorities on Parade. In 1943, Reveille with Beverly and What's Buzzin', Cousin? In 1944, in Hey, Rookie, Jam Session and Carolina Blues. In 1945, Eadie Was a Lady and Eve Knew Her Apples. In 1946, in The Thrill of Brazil. Ann Collier married Reese Llewellyn Milner in 1946. Ann and Milner were divorced in 1947. In 1948, Ann Miller appeared in Easter Parade and The Kissing Bandit. In 1949, in On the Town. In 1950, Watch the Birdie. In 1951, Texas Carnival and Two Tickets to Broadway. In 1952, Lovely to Look At. In 1953, Small Town Girl and Kiss Me Kate. In 1954, Deep in My Heart. In 1955, Hit the Deck. In 1956, The Opposite Sex and The Great American Pastime. Ann Miller married her second husband, William Moss in 1958. Ann Miller married her third husband, Arthur Cameron in 1961. In 1969, she starred in the musical Mame, on Broadway. In 1976, Ann Miller appeared in Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood. In 1979, in Sugar Babies, on Broadway with Mickey Roone. In 1982, in The Love Boat, with Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, Della Reese, Van Johnson, and Cab Calloway. In 1983, Ann Miller won the Sarah Siddons Award for her work in the Chicago Theater. In 1998, she did her last stage performance as Carlotta Campion, in Stephen Sondheim's Follies. In 2001, Ann Miller appeared in her last role as Coco, in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive. According to Ann Miller; "At MGM, I always played the second feminine lead; I was never the star in films, I was the brassy, good-hearted showgirl. I never really had my big moment on the screen." And; "Honestly, I have had to live like a high priestess in this show. It is a very, very lonely life. When you work the way I work - that means hard - there's no time for play." Ann Miller died from cancer aged 80, on 22 January 2004, in Los Angeles, California. She was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California. Ann Miller has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6914 Hollywood Blvd.

 "I never played politics, I was never a party girl, and I never slept with any of the producers." Ann Miller

18-19th Cent. Isabella Anne Ingram-Shepheard, Marchioness of Hertford.

Isabella Anne Ingram-Shepheard was born in 1760. She was the daughter of Frances Shepheard (1733 - 20 November 1807) and Charles Ingram, 9th Viscount Irvine (19 March 1726 - 19 June 1778). Isabella's parents were married on 28 June 1758. Her siblings were: Frances Ingram-Shepheard (1761-1841), Elizabeth Ingram-Shepheard (1762-1817) and Louisa Susan Ingram-Shepheard (1766-1857). Isabella Ingram-Shepheard married Sir Francis Seymour-Ingram, 2nd Marquess of Hertford on 20 May 1776, in London, England. He was the son of Lady Isabella Fitzroy and Sir Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford. Isabella was his second wife, Sir Francis Seymour-Ingram married first Alice Elizabeth Windsor on 4 February 1768, in London. Alice Elizabeth Windsor died on 11 February 1772. Isabella and Francis had one child, a son named Francis born on 11 March 1777.

The Child of Isabella Anne Ingram-Shepheard and Francis Seymour-Ingram:
Sir Francis Charles Seymour-Conway, 3rd Marquess of Hertford (11 March 1777 - 1 March 1842)

Her father, Charles Ingram died on 19 June 1778, at Temple Newsam. In 1807, she became the mistress of George, Prince of Wales (12 August 1762 - 26 June 1830). Her mother, Frances Shepheard died on 20 November 1807, at Temple Newsam. By 1819, the relationship between Isabella and Prince George had cooled, now the Prince sought Elizabeth Conyngham's affections. Her husband, Francis Seymour-Ingram died on 28 June 1822, in London. Isabella Anne Ingram-Shepheard was painted by the artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792). Isabella Anne Ingram-Shepheard died on 12 April 1834. 

19-20th Cent. Princess Viktoria of Prussia (12 April 1866 - 19 November 1927)

18-19th Cent. Adélaïde Labille-Guiard

Adélaïde Labille-Guiard was born on 11 April 1749, in Paris, France. She was the daughter of Mme et M. Claude Labille (1705-1788). She was first a student under François Elie Vincent. Later of Maurice-Quentin de la Tour. In the 1760s, Adélaïde Labille became a friend of Marie Jeanne Bécu (1743-1793), the assistant in her father's shop, A La Toilette. Adélaïde Labille married Louis-Nicolas Guiard in ca 1769. In 1774, Adélaïde Labille-Guiard exhibited her first work at the Académie de St. Luc. In 1776, she entered the studio of François-André Vincent. He was the son of François Elie Vincent. Labille-Guiard and Guiard were separated in 1779. Adélaïde Labille-Guiard opened her own studio and became a dedicated teacher. From 1781, one of her pupils was Marie-Gabrielle Capet (1761-1818). In 1783, she was elected to the Académie Royale, in Paris on the same day as Marie-Élisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun (1755-1842). In 1787, she was named First Painter to the daughters of Louis XV, King of France and Navarre (1710-1774). Adélaïde Labille-Guiard married her second husband, François-André Vincent in 1800. When she fell ill, Marie-Gabrielle Capet took care of her. Adélaïde Labille-Guiard died on 24 April 1803, in Paris, France.

17th Cent. Albertine Agnes of Nassau

Albertine Agnes of Nassau was born on 9 April 1634, in The Hauge, The Netherlands. She was the daughter of Amalia, Countess of Solms-Braunfels (31 August 1602 - 8 September 1675) and Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange (29 January 1584 - 14 March 1647). Her maternal grandparents were Agnes of Sayn-Wittgenstein and Johan Albrecht I of Solms-Braunfels. Her paternal grandparents were Louise de Coligny (23 September 1555 - 13 November 1620) and William I, Prince of Orange (24 April 1533 - 10 July 1584). Albertine Agnes parents were married on 4 April 1625. Her siblings included: William II, Prince of Orange (1626-1650), Luise Henriette of Nassau (1627-1667), Isabella Charlotte of Nassau (1632-1642), Henriëtte Catharina of Nassau (1637-1708) and Maria of Nassau (1642-1688). Albertine Agnes of Nassau married Willem Frederik of Nassau-Dietz (7 August 1613 - 31 October 1664) on 2 May 1652, in Cleves. He was the son of Sophie Hedwig of Braunschweig-Lüneburg (20 February 1592 - 23 January 1642) and Ernst Casimir of Nassau-Dietz (22 July 1573 - 4 June 1632). Albertine Agnes and Willem Frederik had three children.

The Children of Albertine Agnes of Nassau and Willem Frederik of Nassau-Dietz:

Amalia of Nassau-Dietz (25 November 1655 - 16 February 1695) Married John William of Saxe-Eisenach.

Henry Casimir II, Count of Nassau-Dietz (17 January 1657- 25 March 1696) Married Henriëtte Amalia of Anhalt-Dessau.

Wilhelmina Sophia Hedwig of Nassau-Dietz (1664-1667)

Her husband, Willem Frederik of Nassau-Dietz died on 31 October 1664. He was succeeded by their son, as Henry Casimir II. Albertine became Regent for her son in Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe. Albertine Agnes of Nassau died aged 62, on 24 May 1696, in Oranjewoud, The Netherlands.

17th Cent. Maria Leopoldine, Holy Roman Empress.

 

Maria Leopoldine was born on 6 April 1632, in Innsbruck.  She was the daughter of Claudia de' Medici (4 June 1604 - 25 December 1648) and Leopold V, Archduke of Austria (9 October 1586 - 13 September 1632). Her maternal grandparents were Christina of Lorraine and Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Her paternal grandfather was Charles III, Archduke of Austria. Maria Leopoldine's parents were married on 19 April 1626. Her siblings were: Maria-Eleonora (1627-1629), Ferdinand Charles (1628-1662), Isabella-Clara (1629-1685) and Sigismund Francis (1630-1665). Her father was her mothers second husband, Claudia de' Medici married first Federico della Rovere in 1620. They had a daughter, Vittoria della Rovere. Maria Leopoldine married Ferdinand III on 2 July 1648, in Linz. He was the son of Maria Anna of Bavaria (8 December 1574 - 8 March 1616) and Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (9 July 1578 - 15 February 1637). Maria Leopoldine was Ferdinand III's second wife. Ferdinand III married first Maria Anna of Spain (18 August 1606 - 13 May 1646) on 20 February 1631. Their children were: Ferdinand IV of Hungary (8 September 1633 - 9 July 1654), Mariana of Austria (23 December 1634 - 16 May 1696), Philip August, Archduke of Austria (1637-1639), Maximilian Thomas, Archduke of Austria (1638-1639), Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (9 June 1640 - 5 May 1705) and Maria of Austria (1646). Maria Anna died on 13 May 1646, in Vienna. Her mother, Claudia de' Medici died on 25 December 1648, in Innsbruck. Maria Leopoldine and Ferdinand III had one son.

The Child of Maria Leopoldine and Ferdinand III:

Karl Josef of Austria (7 August 1649-1664)

Maria Leopoldine died in childbirth on 7 August 1649. She was interred at the Imperial Crypt in Wien. Ferdinand III married his third wife, Eleonora Gonzaga (18 November 1630 - 6 December 1686) on 30 April 1651, in Vienna, Austria. Their children were: Theresia Maria Josefa, Archduchess of Austira (1652-1653), Eleonora Maria Josefa, Archduchess of Austria (31 May 1653 - 17 December 1697), Maria Anna Josepha, Archduchess of Austria (30 December 1654 - 4 April 1689) and Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria (1657-1658). Ferdinand III died on 2 April 1657, in Wien.

19-20th Cent. John William Waterhouse (6 April 1849 - 10 February 1917)

20th Cent. Bette Davis

Ruth Elizabeth Davis was born on 5 April 1908, in Lowell, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Ruth Augusta Favor Davis and Harlow Morrell Davis. She had a sister, Barbara (b. 25 October 1909). She was christened Ruth Elizabeth, but was called Bette. Her parents were divorced in 1916. Bette and her sister, Barbara attended the boarding school Crestalban in Lanesborough, in Berkshire, then the High school in Newton, Massachusetts. In 1921, she moved with her mother and sister to New York. In 1924, Bette Davis attended Cushing Academy, in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. In 1926, she graduated from Cushing Academy. She then moved to New York, where she started at the John Murray Anderson-Robert Milton Dramatic School. Bette Davis made her professional stage debut in The Earth Between, on 5 March 1929, at the Provincetown Playhouse, in New York. She made her Broadway debut on 5 November 1929, in Broken Dishes. She became a dance student of Martha Graham (1894-1991). In 1930, Bette Davis signed a contract with Universal Pictures. In December 1930, she moved to Los Angeles. In September 1931, she was dropped by Universal. In November 1931, she was signed by Warner Bros. In 1931, Davis appeared as Laura Madison in The Bad Sister, Margaret Carter in Seed, Janet Cronin in Waterloo Bridge and Mary Lucy Duffy in Way Back Home. In 1932, as Peggy Lowell in The Menace, Peggy Gardner in Hell's House, Grace Blair in The Man Who Played God, Miss Dallas O'Mara in So Big!, Malbro in The Rich Are Always with Us, Kay Russell in The Dark Horse, Madge Norwood in The Cabin in the Cotton, Ruth Wescott in Three on a Match and Fay Wilson in 20,000 Years in Sing Sing. Bette Davis married Harmon Nelson on 18 August 1932. In 1933, she was Ginger in Just Around the Corner, Patricia Brent in Parachute Jumper, Jenny Hartland in The Working Man, Helen Bauer in Ex-Lady and Norma Roberts in Bureau of Missing Persons. In 1934, Norma Nelson in The Big Shakedown, Lynn Mason in Fashions of 1934, Joan Martin in Jimmy the Gent, Arlene Bradford in Fog Over Frisco, Mildred Rogers in Of Human Bondage and Patricia Berkeley in Housewife.

"A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want it at the expense of everything else."

In 1935, she starred as Marie Roark in Bordertown, Miriam Brady in The Girl from Tenth Avenue, Ellen Garfield in Front Page Woman, Julie Gardner in Special Agent and Joyce Heath in Dangerous. In 1936, Gabrielle Maple in The Petrified Forest, Daisy Appleby in The Golden Arrow and Valerie Purvis in Satan Met a Lady. In 1937, Mary Dwight Strauber in Marked Woman, Louise Phillips in Kid Galahad, Mary Donnell in That Certain Woman and Joyce Arden in It's Love I'm After. In 1938, Julie in Jezebel and Louise Elliott Medlin in The Sisters. Bette Davis received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Jezebel. Davis and Nelson were divorced on 6 December 1938.

"I always had the will to win. I felt it baking cookies. They had to be the best cookies anyone baked."

In 1939, she starred as Judith Traherne in Dark Victory, Empress Carlotta of Hapsburg in Juarez, Charlotte Lovell in The Old Maid and Queen Elizabeth in The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex opposite Errol Flynn.

"I am doomed to an eternity of compulsive work. No set goal achieved satisfies. Success only breeds a new goal. The golden apple devoured has seeds. It is endless." 

In 1940, Davis appeared as Henriette Deluzy-Desportes in All This, and Heaven Too and Leslie Crosbie in The Letter. Bette Davis married er second husband, Arthur Farnsworth on 31 December 1940. In 1941, she was Maggie Patterson Van Allen in The Great Lie, Joan Winfield in The Bride Came C.O.D.  and Regina Giddens in The Little Foxes. In the beginning of 1942, during World War II she sold war bonds. Bette Davis, Cary Grant and Jule Styne opened the club, the Hollywood Canteen on 3 October 1942. In 1942, she starred as Maggie Cutler in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Stanley Timberlake in In This Our Life and Charlotte Vale in Now, Voyager. In 1943, Sara Muller in Watch on the Rhine and Kit Marlowe in Old Acquaintance with Miriam Hopkins. Arthur Farnsworth died on 25 August 1943. In 1944, she was Fanny Trellis in Mr. Skeffington. In 1945, Lilly Moffat in The Corn is Green. Bette Davis married her third husband, William Grant Sherry on 30 November 1945. In 1946, Kate Bosworth in A Stolen Life and Christine Radcliffe in Deception. In 1948, Susan Grieve in Winter Meeting and Linda Gilman in June Bride. In 1949, Rosa Moline in Beyond the Forest. In 1949, Davis left Warner Bros. In 1950, she was Margo Channing in All About Eve opposite Anne Baxter, Celeste Holm, Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) and George Sanders. Bette Davis as Margo Channing in All About Eve; "Everybody has a heart. Except some people." Davis and Sherry were divorced on 3 July 1950. Bette Davis married her fourth husband, Gary Merrill on 28 July 1950. The couple adopted a girl, Margot in 1950. In 1951, she was Joyce Ramsey in Payment on Demand and Janet Frobisher in Another Man's Poison. They adopted a boy, Michael in 1952. In 1952, she was Marie Hoke in Phone Call from a Stranger and Margaret Elliot in The Star. In 1952, Davis took on the starring role in the musical revue Two's Company. Two's Company opened on 15 December 1952, at Broadway. After 90 performances Two's Company was forced to close on 8 March 1953, when Davis became ill of an infected tooth. In 1955, she was Elizabeth I, Queen of England in The Virgin Queen. In 1956, Agnes Hurley in The Catered Affair and Alicia Hull in Storm Center. Davis and Merrill were divorced on 6 July 1960. She once said; "Love is not enough. It must be the foundation, the cornerstone - but not the complete structure. It is much too pliable, too yielding." In 1961, she was Annie in Pocketful of Miracles. In 1962, Baby Jane Hudson in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? with Joan Crawford. She later said; "The best time I ever had with Joan Crawford was when I pushed her down the stairs in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" In 1962, Davis wrote her autobiography, The Lonely Life. In 1964, she was Margaret DeLorca in Dead Ringer, Gerald Hayden in Where Love Has Gone and Charlotte in Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte. In 1970, Wanda Fleming in Connecting Rooms. In 1974, she took on the starring role in Miss Moffat, a stage musical adaptation of The Corn Is Green. In 1976, she was Elizabeth in Burnt Offerings. In 1977, Bette Davis received the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. According to Davis; "Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work." She continued; "The real actor has a direct line to the collective heart." In 1978, she was Letha in Return from Witch Mountain and Marie Van Schuyler in Death on the Nile. According to Bette Davis; "At 50, I thought proudly, 'Here we are, half century!' Being 60 was fairly frightening. You want to know how I spent my 70th birthday? I put on a completely black face, a fuzzy black afro wig, wore black clothes, and hung a black wreath on my door."
 

"Acting should be bigger than life. Scripts should be bigger than life. It should all be bigger than life."

In 1985, her daughter, Barbara Davis Hyman published My Mother's Keeper. In 1987, she starred as Libby Strong in The Whales of August. In 1987, Bette Davis wrote her autobiography This 'N That. According to This 'N That by Bette Davis, "I am still recovering from the fact that a child of mine would write about me behind my back, to say nothing about the kind of book it is. I will never recover as completely from B.D.'s book as I have from the stroke. Both were shattering experiences." Davis once said; "We movie stars all end up by ourselves. Who knows? Maybe we want to." She continued; "Until you're known in my profession as a monster, you're not a star." And; "I want to die with my high heels on, still in action." Bette Davis died on 6 October 1989, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. She was interred next to her mother, Ruth and sister, Barbara at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery, in Los Angeles. Beneath her name on the tombstone are the words, "She did it the hard way". Bette Davis has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6225 Hollywood Blvd.

"Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it." Bette Davis 

Excerpts and Sources: The Lonely Life by Bette Davis and This 'N That by Bette Davis.

17-18th Cent. Adrienne Lecouvreur (5 April 1692 - 20 March 1730)

19-20th Cent. Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, Marchioness of Milford Haven (5 April 1863 - 24 September 1950)