On October 22, 1844, a woman was born who would later be known as the “Divine Sarah,” often regarded as the first global superstar. The delicate beauty of Sarah Bernhardt, her silvery voice that drove men wild, her impeccable diction, and her versatile acting talent brought her incredible success on European stages in the 1870s and a fantastic triumph during her tours across America.
At the age of 56, Sarah Bernhardt played the role of the 20-year-old youth Orl in the eponymous drama by Edmond Rostand, and her performance left the audience in ecstasy—30 curtain calls!
For nearly half a century, Sarah Bernhardt’s name was a fixture on posters and newspaper pages, and even today, she is considered the most famous actress in history.