In a captivating 1957 interview with the legendary Mike Wallace, the iconic Hollywood star Gloria Swanson, then 58, exuded elegance in an exquisite dress adorned with an elaborate off-the-shoulder bow. Her white-gloved hands gently twirled a flower on her lap as Wallace posed questions about her enduring talent, her perspective on aging, and whether she'd truly stepped away from Hollywood after her unforgettable portrayal of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. With a serene smile, Gloria quipped, “Wait a minute, am I through with Hollywood, or is Hollywood through with me?” She went on to express her unwavering love for romance, asserting, “I believe in romance, and age has nothing to do with it.”
Gloria Swanson wasn’t just a star; she was a phenomenon. Her rise to fame in silent films turned her into a household name, captivating audiences worldwide. As Stephen Shearer, author of Gloria Swanson: Hollywood's First Glamour Queen, shares with Closer, “She lived extravagantly, traveled with entourages, and spent without a second thought.” Gloria embodied the opulence of Hollywood’s golden age. “Back then, the public expected us to live like royalty,” she once remarked. “And why not? We were in love with life.” This zest for living extended to her personal life, where she experienced six marriages, countless romances, and raised three children.
As the years passed, Gloria didn’t let fading fame get her down. Instead, she embraced new opportunities, appearing on TV, venturing into sculpting, and even launching a clothing line called Forever Young, which was sold at the prestigious Saks Fifth Avenue. “Gloria was more than just a symbol of glamour,” Shearer explains. “Unlike Norma Desmond, who clung to the past, Gloria always looked ahead, embracing the future with open arms.”
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The Glamorous Life of Gloria Swanson
Gloria Swanson, standing at just 5 feet tall, commanded attention with her radiant eyes and star-like aura. Her journey began in silent films at the tender age of 14, starting in her hometown of Chicago before moving to Los Angeles. There, she worked alongside some of the industry’s most celebrated figures, including Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, and Cecil B. DeMille. Her star only grew brighter, with reports of receiving up to 10,000 fan letters a week at her peak. Gloria reveled in the spotlight, indulging in lavish travels, extravagant spending, passionate relationships, and a penchant for Chanel couture. “She understood the importance of maintaining a certain lifestyle to uphold her image,” Shearer notes. “This dedication allowed her to sustain both her career and her extravagant lifestyle.”
By the age of 26, Gloria was already signing million-dollar contracts and tying the knot with her third husband, the French marquis Henri de la Falaise. She had a daughter and an adopted son from her previous marriage to director and producer Herbert Somborn. However, their union ended in 1923 when Somborn accused her of having 13 affairs, sparking a scandal that led studios to include morality clauses in her contracts. “Gloria was always a passionate individual,” Shearer reflects.
During her marriage to Henri, she crossed paths with Joseph Kennedy, who offered to assist with her mounting financial woes. The attraction was immediate. “His mouth was on mine before either of us could speak,” she later recalled of their first meeting. Unfortunately, Kennedy didn’t come to her rescue. Instead, according to Shearer, “he mishandled her finances, lining his own pockets in the process.”
Gloria Swanson’s Legacy: Always Looking Ahead
Gloria remained resolute in focusing on the future. “She leveraged her name, her influence, and her legendary status to ensure a steady flow of income,” Shearer explains. Though her film career slowed, she experienced a remarkable resurgence with the 1950 Oscar-winning film Sunset Boulevard. Beyond acting, she explored her creative side as a painter and sculptor, continued performing on stage and television, and cherished her relationships with her children and grandchildren. “She always had meaningful, loving connections with her family,” Shearer adds.
Gloria Swanson passed away in 1983 at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy that sparkled as brightly as she did. “Her presence was magnetic; you simply couldn’t take your eyes off her,” Shearer tells Closer. “Hollywood will never see another glamour queen like Gloria Swanson.”
