The woman who most credibly lays claim to the title of the original scream queen earned her fame on the stage. Paula Maxa became known as ‘the most assassinated woman in the world’, and not for nought — she was ‘killed’ over 10,000 times in at least sixty different ways. Beyond the stage, her real life proves difficult to construct, but if Maxa herself is to be believed, it was just as dark as her career…
Actresses
Josephine Baker – Experiment in Brotherhood
Josephine Baker dedicated herself to breaking barriers and tackling injustice. One of the most famous performers in Europe, she also worked as a civil rights activist and was a spy for the French Resistance during World War II, a task she accomplished with ease despite her great fame.
Eva Perón – Spiritual Leader of a Nation
Before she became Evita, Eva Duarte had to fight through life. Born into poverty, Eva struggled to make a living for herself in the politically turbulent Argentina. Nevertheless, she would soon rise through the ranks to become one of the most powerful people in the country.
Marlene Dietrich – Breaking the Gender Barrier
Marlene Dietrich spent the majority of her life occupying the stage and screen, her career spanning from the 1910s to the 1980s. While her name is now often associated with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and high society, this only tells half the story.