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Birth
November 5, 1913 a baby girl was born! The baby was born Vivian Mary Hartley to parents Ernest richard Hartley and Gertrude Mary Frances. She was born in British India. -
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Life span of Vivien Leigh
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First Performance
Vivien performed Little Bo Peep for her mother's theatre group. She was 3 years old. This is when she said she wanted to become an actress -
1st Marriage
Vivien was 19 years old when she wed her 32 year old husband. The couple married after knowing each other for a year. They married at Saint Jame's Spanish Place. -
Birth of First and Only Child
Vivien and Herbert have a baby girl name Suzanne. The baby was born in London. Vivien later revealed that although she loved Suzanne she wanted a career more than baby. -
Cast as Scarlett
Vivien was cast as Scarlett O'Hara after auditioning during her vacation in the US. She ended up beating many actresses including Bette Davis, Joan Bennett, and Jean Arthur. Many people did not want her to play Scarlett, because she was British. -
Won Academy Award for Best Actress
Vivien won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1939. She won this award after playing Scarlett O'Hara in the movie "Gone With the Wind." She was one of the first British women to win an Academy Award. -
Won New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress
Vivien was nominated and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in 1939. She achieved this honor from starring as Scarlett O'Hara. She played Scarlett in the movie "Gone With the Wind." -
Divorce
Vivien divorced her husband after 8 years of marriage to her husband Herbert. Her "boyfriend" was also granted a divorce from his wife shortly before hers. Even though she divorced Herbert they remained close the rest of her life. -
2nd Marriage
Vivien married Laurence Olivier after having an affair with him for many years. The couple both divorced their former spouses for the marriage to occur. They met while Olivier was working on a play in London. -
Diagnosed With Tuberculosis
After being hospitilized for a cough and fever, doctors realized that she had tuberculosis. When first diagnosed it was in Vivien's left lung. However after many weeks in the hospital she recovered. -
A Streetcar Named Desire
Vivien was cast in the play a Streetcar Named Desire. She played Banche Dubois. She performed 326 times. -
Recognized for Vivien's Work in A Streetcar Named Desire
Viviene was nominated for 6 awards due to her work in "A Streetcar Named Desire." Of those six she won five. Those awards included an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and many more. -
Mental Breakdown
After a rough mental health history, Vivien suffered from her first mental health breakdown. This occurred while she was filming a movie, she was replaced after her dreakdown. It may have been triggered after a tough critic bashed Vivien and her 2nd husband on their performance on a recent play. -
Final Divorce
After many her mental health deteriorated, her husband left her. He was quoted saying he'd never love anyone like Vivien. He said he could no longer keep up with her and Vivien was devastated after the divorce. -
Death
Vivien's body was discovered dead on her bedroom floor in Liondon. She died when her lungs filled with fluid and she collapsed. Vivien was only 53 when she died.
