Picture this: Greta Garbo, the Hollywood icon who once graced the silver screen with her unparalleled talent, arrived in Hollywood as an unsung actress from Sweden. Over 16 years, she transformed into a wealthy star, earning a staggering $3 million fortune. But here's the twist—she walked away from it all. "I have made enough faces," she famously said, as she transitioned from silent films to talkies in the 1930s. With a career spanning 24 feature films, Garbo decided to step back from the spotlight, choosing instead to live a quieter life.
Although she had family in Sweden, Garbo chose New York City as her new home. In 1953, she purchased a seven-room apartment at 450 East 52nd Street, becoming a familiar face to neighbors and tourists alike. Despite her reclusive reputation, which was cemented when she famously said, "I want to be left alone," in the 1932 film Grand Hotel, Garbo wasn't exactly a ghost. If you knew where to look, she wasn't so elusive after all.
Her daily routine was simple yet intriguing. Mornings were dedicated to shopping for fresh produce, while afternoons were reserved for leisurely walks around the city. Garbo often wore casual clothing, a hat, and oversized sunglasses during these strolls. By 5:30 PM, she'd return home to enjoy dinner in front of her black-and-white television in her cozy bedroom. But don't be fooled—her life wasn't as solitary as it seemed.
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According to her great-nephew, Derek Reisfield, Garbo had a vibrant social life. "She was private, but she had a very active social life," Derek exclusively revealed to Closer. "If you look at her datebooks, she’s out and about, meeting people, going to dinner parties, and visiting friends’ homes for the weekend." Garbo also loved hosting gatherings at her apartment, making her New York life far from the solitary existence many imagined.
Derek fondly recalls, "When I moved to New York after school, I lived about five blocks away from her, so I would see her a lot. Guests would all assemble at 5 for cocktails at her apartment, and then we’d head out for dinners or see a play or whatever we were doing. It was a weekly event, and it was a lot of fun." However, even close friends like Jackie Onassis didn't have her phone number. Garbo preferred being the one to initiate calls and set up dates. She once admitted, "I detest crowds. I don’t like many people," highlighting her preference for intimate gatherings.
Inside Greta Garbo’s Life in Her NYC Home
Garbo's apartment at the exclusive Campanile building was her sanctuary. Spanning the entire fifth floor, it was adorned with girlish colors, like the salmon-hued silk fabric on her bedroom walls. The sight of boats traveling the East River, visible from many of her windows, reminded her of her native Sweden, offering her a comforting connection to her roots.
Despite rumors of her frugality—Marlene Dietrich once claimed Garbo counted her sugar cubes to ensure her maid wasn’t stealing them—she indulged in some luxuries. Garbo invested her fortune in real estate and collected fine art from renowned Impressionists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir. She also traveled extensively every summer, often visiting her beloved Sweden but also enjoying the jet set life in Italy, Switzerland, and the south of France.
Even as the years passed, the allure of Hollywood couldn't bring her back. She famously turned down the role of Norma Desmond in the 1950 classic Sunset Boulevard. Barbara Walters, too, failed in her attempts to land a TV interview with the legendary star. Garbo passed away in New York City in 1990 at the age of 84. "She was a remarkable person," Derek fondly remembers. "She was very intuitive, very intelligent, and extremely funny. She was pretty content."
