Zarah Leander Swedish film actress Date of Birth: 15.03.1907 Country: Sweden

1. Biography of Zarah Leander
2. Early Life and Career
3. Success in Nazi Germany
4. Post-War Decline
5. Personal Life and Legacy

Biography of Zarah Leander

Zarah Leander was a Swedish film actress who gained international fame as a star in Nazi Germany. She was known for her captivating voice and became an idol for the LGBTQ+ community and other non-traditional orientations. Federico Fellini, the renowned Italian director, greatly admired her talent.

Early Life and Career

Zarah Leander was born as Sara Stina Hedberg in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1936, she caught the attention of Joseph Goebbels, the chief propagandist of the Nazi regime, who was in search of a film star with the same aura as the emigrated Marlene Dietrich. Leander's stunning looks and the opportunity for a successful career and substantial earnings led her to agree to move to Germany. She was also fluent in German.

Success in Nazi Germany

Leander's popularity soared in Nazi Germany with her performances in films such as "To New Shores" (1937), "Homecoming" (1938), and "The Heart of a Queen" (1940). However, even during this time, her Jewish relatives perished in concentration camps, but she continued to act in German musicals.

Post-War Decline

As Germany's defeat became evident and bombings intensified, Leander returned to Sweden in March 1943 to ensure the safety of her children. However, her association with the Nazi propaganda machine had consequences, and she faced a decline in her career. While she continued to work in theaters, she was no longer cast in films. This situation was common for many talented women who had ties to the Reich and were trying to distance themselves from any political associations.

Personal Life and Legacy

Leander was married three times and had two children. Her greatest love was the German composer Michael Jary (1906-1988). In her later years, she suffered from health issues and was confined to a wheelchair. She passed away from a stroke on June 23, 1981, in a hospital in Stockholm.

To commemorate Zarah Leander's 100th birthday, a museum dedicated to her and her work was opened in Herreds Hammer, the small town where she had acquired a estate with her earnings from filming movies in 1939. Additionally, a performance of Franz Lehár's "The Merry Widow" was held at the Konserthus, the venue where Leander began her career in 1931. However, the songs of Zarah Leander were sung by Matthias Ann in a male rendition.