Sarah Bernhardt: The Ultimate Drama Queen

Sarah Bernhardt, or as she often preferred to be called, “The Divine Sarah,” was a French actress and all-around theatrical diva of the 19th century. She was known for her outrageous stage presence, dramatic antics, and penchant for scandal.

Born in 1844, Sarah always had a flair for the dramatic. As a child, she was known for throwing herself on the ground and pretending to be dead when she didn’t get her way. This was a sign of things to come, as Sarah grew up to become one of the most over-the-top performers in the history of the stage.

She made her debut at the Comédie-Française in 1862, but it wasn’t until the 1870s and 1880s that she really made a name for herself. Her performances were marked by extravagant costumes, bombastic speeches, and lots of swooning. Critics called her style “exaggerated,” but Sarah didn’t care. She was the ultimate drama queen and she knew it.

Of course, with great fame comes great scandal. Sarah was known for her many affairs with prominent men, including the Prince of Wales and the artist Gustave Doré. She would often carry on with multiple lovers at once, scandalizing polite society. But she didn’t care about their judgement. To her, life was a stage and she was the star.

However, Sarah’s greatest moment came in 1905, when she played the titular role in the play Hamlet. Yes, you read that right. Sarah Bernhardt, a woman, played the male role of Hamlet. She cut her hair short and donned a masculine costume, and audiences were spellbound. Critics were divided, but Sarah didn’t care. She had proven once and for all that she was the ultimate performer.

Sarah Bernhardt passed away in 1923 at the age of 78, but her legacy lives on. She was the original diva, the ultimate drama queen, and a true force of nature. So the next time you see an actor or actress throwing themselves on the ground and pretending to be dead, you can thank Sarah Bernhardt for paving the way.