Hjördis Paulina Genberg (10 November 1919 – 24 December 1997) was a Swedish actress and model. She was the second wife of English actor and author David Niven. Genberg was among the first supermodels of Sweden.[1][2]
Hjördis Genberg | |
|---|---|
 Fashion photograph of Genberg taken by Erik Holmén in 1943. | |
| Born | 10 November 1919 Åsarna, Jämtland county, Sweden |
| Died | 24 December 1997 (aged 78) Céligny, Switzerland |
| Occupation(s) | Model, actress |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 |
Life
editHjördis Genberg was born on 10 November 1919 in Åsarna, Jämtland county, Sweden. She was the fourth of five children of Gerda Paulina (née Hägglund) and Johan Georg Genberg. Genberg attended high school in the nearby Salsåker, a small town in Nordingrå.
In 1943, she made her breakthrough as an actress in the film Sjätte skottet.
She married the businessman Carl-Gustav Tersmeden in 1946. They divorced in 1947.
In January 1948, Genberg married British actor David Niven, with whom she adopted two daughters, Kristina and Fiona Niven.[3] According to friends, the relationship between Niven and Hjördis was turbulent.[4][5]
After 35 years of marriage, Niven died on 29 July 1983 in Château-d’Œx, Switzerland, of ALS.[6]
In 1994, tabloid newspapers linked her with Prince Rainier of Monaco, however a spokesperson for Rainier said no marriage was in the plans.[7][8]
Hjördis Genberg died on 24 December 1997, of a brain bleed at age 78 in Céligny, Switzerland. Her ashes were scattered in the Mediterranean Sea.[citation needed]
Filmography (selection)
edit- 1943: Sjätte skottet
- 1943: Fångad av en röst
- 1945: Brita i grosshandlarhuset
- 1945: 13 stolar
In popular culture
edit- Niven, David (2005-04-28). The Moon's a Balloon. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-0-14-193734-2.
- Niven, David (2009-01). Bring on the Empty Horses. Little, Brown Book Group Limited. ISBN 978-1-4055-0597-0.
- Lord, Graham (2004-12-14). NIV: The Authorized Biography of David Niven. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-32863-4.
- Munn, Michael (2014-07-10). David Niven: The Man Behind the Balloon. Aurum Press. ISBN 978-1-78131-372-5.
References
edit- ^ Knickerbocker, Cholly (27 June 1947). "Notes on Notables". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 19. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ Handsacker, Gene (9 November 1949). "Hollywood". The Hammond Times. p. 27. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ "A well kept secret, 1964". Hjördis Genberg Niven. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ "The flawed real life of the perfect movie gentleman". Irish Independent. Dublin. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ Bradley, Charley (27 February 2022). "David Niven wife: Roger Moore claimed Niven's partner 'was a b**** to him'". Daily Express. London. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ "Private funeral for David Niven". UPI Archives. United Press International. 2 August 1983. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ "Rainier to wed Niven's widow?". Montreal Gazette. 4 January 1994. p. C6. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ Speers, W. (4 January 1994). "Another wife with Hollywood ties for Rainier?". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
External links
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