Retro Blast: Greta Garbo's Cause Of Death

Born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson on September 18, 1905, in Stockholm, Sweden, Garbo’s early life was far from glamorous. She was the third of four children in a working-class family, and her father, Karl Gustafsson, was a laborer who died when she was just 14. Her mother, Anna, struggled to make ends meet, which led Greta to take on various jobs in her youth, including working as a shopgirl at a Swedish department store. It was here, at the age of 17, that she was spotted by a film director, and thus began her cinematic journey.

Garbo's early career began in Swedish silent films, where her natural beauty and intensity quickly caught the attention of European filmmakers. Her first notable film role came in the 1922 silent film 'Gosta Berling's Saga,' directed by Mauritz Stiller, a movie that would cement her place as a rising star in the European film industry. Stiller, who became Garbo's mentor, helped introduce her to the world of cinema, and their collaboration would later prove crucial in her eventual migration to Hollywood.

In 1925, Garbo moved to the United States, signing a contract with MGM. It was here that her career took off in a big way, thanks to her collaboration with iconic directors such as Clarence Brown and George Fitzmaurice. Her first Hollywood film, 'The Torrent' (1926), was a success, but it was her role in 'Flesh and the Devil' (1926) opposite John Gilbert that made her an international star.

By the late 1920s, Garbo was synonymous with silent film stardom. Her portrayal of tragic, doomed lovers in films like 'The Temptress' (1926) and 'Love' (1927) showcased her ability to convey profound emotion with minimal dialogue, relying instead on her striking physicality and piercing gaze. With the advent of sound in cinema, Garbo transitioned seamlessly into talkies, and her iconic line from 'Anna Christie' (1930)—"Give me a whiskey, ginger ale on the side. And don't be stingy, baby"—marked a turning point in her career, as she demonstrated that her voice was just as captivating as her looks.

From that point onward, Garbo's star power only grew. Films like 'Grand Hotel' (1932), 'Camille' (1936), and 'Ninotchka' (1939) further cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s leading ladies. Whether playing the tragic courtesan 'Camille' or the comedically deadpan 'Ninotchka,' Garbo’s versatility was remarkable. Yet, it was her persona—an ethereal, aloof figure both on and off-screen—that truly set her apart.

Despite her immense popularity, Garbo’s personal life was notoriously private. The public became increasingly fascinated by the actress’s elusive nature. The press dubbed her the “mysterious woman,” and her refusal to participate in interviews or reveal personal details about her life only fueled this intrigue. She never married and was rarely seen in public without a veil or sunglasses, adding to her air of mystique. Speculation about her sexual orientation also circulated for many years, as Garbo was known to have had close relationships with several women, including actress Marlene Dietrich.

In 1941, Garbo shocked the world by announcing her retirement from acting at the age of 35, in the midst of her career peak. Her final film, 'Two-Faced Woman' (1941), was a box office disappointment, and Garbo seemed to grow disillusioned with the Hollywood machine, its pressures, and the public’s obsessive fascination with her every move. She withdrew from the limelight completely, leaving behind a legacy of only 28 films, but a powerful and enduring impact on the history of cinema.

Following her retirement, Garbo relocated to New York City, where she lived a quiet, reclusive life. She was occasionally spotted in public, but she made it clear that she had no interest in returning to the spotlight. Her mysterious persona—once a carefully cultivated part of her public image—was now simply a way of life.

Greta Garbo died on April 15, 1990, at the age of 84, in her New York apartment. The cause of death was officially reported as natural causes, specifically kidney failure. However, her passing was met with a certain level of secrecy, much like the rest of her life. She had been in poor health for several years before her death, suffering from a variety of ailments, but she continued to live independently until the very end. Her death marked the close of a chapter in Hollywood history, and fans and historians alike mourned the loss of a true screen legend.

The circumstances surrounding her final years remain somewhat unclear, as Garbo had kept her health problems private. Despite her reclusive lifestyle, Garbo was known to maintain close friendships with a select few, including her longtime companion, the writer Isabel Perón, and her former co-stars like Marlene Dietrich. However, details about her final days have remained largely sealed, and few people outside her inner circle were aware of the extent of her health issues before her passing.