Chaotic Facts About Natacha Rambova, The Queen Of Hollywood Scandal
Natacha Rambova might have risen to fame during the “silent era” of Hollywood film, but her life of drama and scandal gave folks lots to talk about.
1. It Started Early
Rambova’s life started just as turbulently as it ultimately ended. Born Winifred Shaughnessy in Utah in 1897, her mother came from a pretty high profile family in the Mormon church. If you know anything about their religious history, you’ll know they didn’t have the best rep. That might explain her early family dysfunction.
2. She Had A Rough Childhood
Her father, a devout Catholic, originally baptized her in his own faith. Her mother re-baptized her later on, but the two faced much larger issues. Rambova’s dad drank way too much, and topped that off with a terrible gambling habit. When her mother finally decided to leave him, she added on to the instability with another drastic decision—and young Natacha was right at the center of it.
3. They Sent Her Away
When Rambova’s mother moved on to her second husband, she decided to send her young daughter away to boarding school. As you probably guessed, things didn’t go well. She rebelled against every form of authority there, and they eventually kicked her out. Just a few years later, though, she landed on another dream to throw her life behind.
4. She Wanted The Spotlight
Reportedly, Natacha Rambova decided she wanted to be a ballerina after she saw Swan Lake for the first time. Against her parents’ wishes, she decided to pursue ballet seriously, hoping to turn it into a lifelong career. But when she headed to New York City to study the art under a well-known Russian choreographer, her plans took an unexpected turn.
