Scandalous Sarah Bernhardt – her passion, her pride and no shame

The mother of the future star was the seamstress Judith Bernard. The illegitimate daughter saw poverty and devastation from childhood. But her mother decided she would give Sarah a happy future and not allow her to live the life of a kept wife and courtesan.

Until the age of five, Sarah lived with nurses, then returned home for a short time. She broke her arm and was cared for by her mother until she recovered. A little later, Sarah went to study – first at a secular boarding school, then at a monastery school. As a 14-year-old teenager, she began to learn about science from the best teachers in Paris. A literate girl was able to enter the conservatory.

But in the 19th century, it was not easy for artists. Socially, the girls were not protected. In fact, they had to sleep with wealthy patrons. Behind the scenes, influential gentlemen chose actresses for themselves. They, in turn, could not refuse, otherwise they would simply be kicked out of the theater.

After graduating from the conservatory, her mother’s successful acquaintances helped Sarah find a job at the legendary Comédie Française or the Maison de Molière. The 18-year-old actress was immediately invited to the leading role in the production of Racine. The girl justified her patronage – the audience applauded the budding artist.

But at the Comédie, Bernard did not stay long. Sharp Sarah publicly quarreled with another actress, for which she was fired. Then she was invited by the Zhimnaz Theater to play in the first performance. On the day of the premiere, Bernard disappeared, leaving a laconic note: “Forgive the poor madwoman.” The director and actors shook their heads and prophesied to scandalous Sarah – with such a disposition she would not become a great actress.

They were wrong. A few years later, Sarah returns to the stage. She was invited to star in King Lear. The girl was again helped by her mother’s connections and her acquaintance with Dumas the father. Sarah, 25, played the male role of minstrel Zanetto. She liked the first experience, so she continued to play male characters.

Then she played Hamlet – the role became legendary. Everyone rushed to the theater to see Bernard’s character. Then some other roles – the son of Napoleon and the lady with the camellias. The success was huge! The next logical step is for the popular actress to go on tour in America, Europe and Russia.

In Brazil, she breaks her leg but does not finish the tour. Sarah asks to cut off her injured limb because of the severe pain. The actress takes the stage without a leg. The audience is surprised and applauds the talented Sarah.
At the start of the First World War, Sarah was already 70 years old. She decides to go to the front, and age does not stop her. There, she talks to soldiers who understand nothing at all about theatrical art. But they do not remain indifferent and sincerely applaud the elderly artist.

Sarah liked to experiment for the sake of art. For example, once she was not afraid of a photo shoot in a coffin. Then, as a child, her mother was afraid that Sarah would die of tuberculosis. Sarah was already imagining her funeral and wanted a coffin.

The mother saw her daughter’s strange antics and advised her to get married. But Sarah, with deep and sincere anguish, said she was created to serve the Lord and would never marry. An acquaintance of Morny’s mother heard the girl’s words and laughed. He recommended that Judith send Sarah to a drama class.

The girl loved to pose for French artists. One of the creators – Georges Clairin – was obsessed with Sarah. But they weren’t romantically involved. He painted it on stage. Each new image is a new portrait.

Bernard changed lover like gloves. From Prince de Ligne, she gave birth to a boy, Maurice. Sarah loved her son very much. When the actress rose to fame, Maurice’s father wanted to give her his last name. Sarah refused and convinced the boy not to, because when she gave birth to Maurice without money or fame, the prince’s father did not accept either the mother of his child or the son himself.

That’s why the woman only laughed at the prince, who suddenly claimed the child. Maurice supported his mother. The son remained with his mother until her death.

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