Profile of the Day: Greta Garbo

Today we celebrate the life of Hollywood icon Greta Garbo, who was born on this day 115 years ago.

Image: Greta Garbo / Library of Congress

Greta Lovisa Gustafsson was born in Stockholm, Sweden on September 18, 1905 to Anna Lovisa and Karl Alfred Gustafsson. The youngest of three children, Garbo dropped out of school at the age of 13 to care for her ailing father. He would die in 1920 when she was 14.

Growing up in poverty, Garbo dreamed of becoming an actress. She began her career as a fashion model before landing her first roles in Swedish films. As her fame grew in Sweden, Garbo made the leap to American films at the age of 19. She was an instant hit with audiences and became one of the biggest international stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. One of the highest paid actors of the time, Garbo earned four Academy Award nominations for her work.

Garbo became a recluse later in her life. She died on April 15, 1990 at the age of 84.

Explore Greta Garbo’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected to the star.

View Greta Garbo’s Geni Profile