You’ve probably heard the famous line, “I want to be alone,” spoken by the legendary Greta Garbo in the movie Grand Hotel. That line became a defining moment in her career and life, cementing her reputation as a mysterious and reclusive figure. Ever since 1927, when she told Photoplay magazine, “I detest crowds, don’t like many people,” the world has seen her as the ultimate glamorous recluse. Even 31 years after her death at the age of 84, Greta remains an iconic figure, known for her beauty and her preference for solitude. But is that the full story? Let’s dive deeper.
Greta Garbo: More Than Meets the Eye
If you think Greta Garbo was a complete shut-in, her great-nephew, Derek Reisfield, might just change your mind. Derek, whose mother Gray was the only daughter of Greta’s beloved brother, Sven, has a completely different take on his famous aunt. In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Derek says, “I wouldn’t call her a recluse. If you take a look at her date books, she was out and about quite a bit. She went to dinner parties, visited people’s homes for the weekend, and mingled with others. Yes, she was private, but let’s not forget, she had an active social life. Some even called her the ‘hermit about town.’”
Greta's Social Life: Not So Quiet After All
Though Greta wasn’t one to suffer fools lightly, especially in Hollywood, she certainly knew how to have a blast. Derek remembers moving to New York after school and living just five blocks away from her. “We’d all gather at her apartment around 5 p.m. for cocktails, then head out for dinner or catch a play. It was a weekly tradition, and it was so much fun. She was an extraordinary person—intuitive, intelligent, and hilarious. You wouldn’t believe how funny she could be!”
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Greta’s Tales from Hollywood’s Golden Age
Greta had stories that could captivate anyone. “Every once in a while, she’d start reminiscing about her days in Hollywood, the people she met, and the adventures she had,” Derek recalls. Her tales often revolved around her friendship with the legendary Charlie Chaplin, whom she fondly referred to as a genius. There was also the director Mauritz Stiller, who first met Greta at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm when she was just 18. It was Mauritz who suggested she change her last name from Gustafsson to Garbo. “He was probably the love of her life,” Derek reveals. Mauritz, unfortunately, passed away from pleurisy at the young age of 45. Throughout her life, Greta had many meaningful relationships, but according to Derek, her most significant one was with her frequent co-star, John Gilbert.
Family Ties: Greta’s Closest Bonds
Despite her reputation for solitude, Greta cherished her family deeply. “It was a small family,” Derek explains. “Her sister passed away in her 20s, and her father died when she was just 14. So, it was really her brother, my grandfather, and my mother and siblings.”
While Greta might have felt uneasy in large crowds, she was vibrant and passionate among those she trusted. “She loved engaging in deep, philosophical conversations,” Derek shares. And although she didn’t always crave solitude, she did enjoy her own company. “She adored walking,” Derek remembers. “Whether it was in the mountains, on the beach, or through the bustling streets of New York City, she found peace in those moments. She was truly content.”
— Alison Gaylin, with reporting by Lexi Ciccone
For more on this fascinating story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, available now on newsstands.
