On this day in 1987, singer and actress Dalida, died by suicide by overdosing on barbiturates, in Paris, at the age of 54. She left behind a note which read, “La vie m’est insupportable… Pardonnez-moi.” (“Life has become unbearable for me… Forgive me.”) Born Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti on 17 January 1933 in Cairo, Egypt. Her family was from Serrastretta, Calabria, Italy, but lived in Egypt, where Dalida’s father, Pietro Gigliotti, was first violinist (primo violino) at the Cairo Opera House. Dalida performed and recorded in more than 10 languages including: French, Arabic, Italian, Greek, German, English, Japanese, Hebrew, Dutch and Spanish. She received 55 gold records and was the first singer to receive a diamond record. Renowned for the changes she brought to the French and global music industry with her powerful and colourful performances, she is today still remembered by fans throughout the world. A 30-year career (she debuted in 1956 and recorded her last album in 1986, a few months before her death) and her death led to an iconic image as a tragic diva. My favorite songs sung by Dalida include; “Bambino”, “Gondolier”, “Tu Me Donnes”, and “Parole Parole”.
In January 1967, she took part in the Sanremo Festival with her new lover, Italian singer, songwriter, and actor Luigi Tenco. The song he presented was “Ciao amore ciao” (“Bye Love, Bye”), which he sang together with Dalida but Tenco failed despite Dalida’s performance. Tenco died by suicide on 27 January 1967, after learning that his song had been eliminated from the final competition. Tenco was found by Dalida in his hotel room with a bullet wound in his left temple and a note announcing that his gesture was against the jury and public’s choices during the competition. Prior to Tenco’s suicide, Dalida and he had become engaged. One month later, Dalida attempted to take her life by drug overdose at the Prince de Galles hotel in Paris. She spent five days in a coma and several months convalescing.
In December 1967, she became pregnant by a 22-year-old Italian student, Lucio. She had an abortion that left her infertile.
In September 1970, her former husband (1956–1961) Lucien Morisse, with whom she was on good terms, died by suicide, shooting himself in the head.
In April 1975, her close friend, singer Mike Brant leapt to his death from an apartment in Paris. He was 28. Dalida had contributed to his success in France when he opened concerts for her in 1971 at l’Olympia.
In July 1983, her lover from 1972 to 1981, Richard Chanfray, died by suicide by inhaling the exhaust gas of his Renault 5 car.
The Final Footprint – Dalida was interred in the Cimetière de Montmartre in Paris. Other notable final footprints at Montmartre include; Hector Berlioz, Edgar Degas, Alexandre Dumas, fils, Théophile Gautier, Gustave Moreau, Henri, Murger, Jacques Offenbach, Francis Picabia, Stendhal, François Truffaut, Horace Vernet, and Alfred de Vigny.
#RIP #OTD in 1989 trans woman, the first person to become widely known in the United States for having sex reassignment surgery, actress, singer, Christine Jorgensen died of bladder and lung cancer in San Clemente, California, aged 62. Cremated remains scattered off Dana Point CA
On this day in 2003, model and actress Suzy Parker died at her home in Montecito, California from kidney failure at the age of 70. Born Cecilia Ann Renee Parker on 28 October 1932 in San Antonio, Texas. One of the most recognizable faces of the 1950’s, appearing on many magazine covers, advertisements, and in movies and television series. Parker became the so-called signature face of the Coco Chanel brand. Parker was married three times including; Pierre de la Salle (1958-1961 divorce) and actor Bradford Dillman (1963-2003 her death).
The Final Footprint – Parker is interred in Santa Barbara Cemetery, Santa Barbara, California. Her grave is marked by a flat granite marker. Other notable Final Footprints at Santa Barbara include; Laurence Harvey, Fess Parker (no relation) and Kenneth Rexroth.
| Daliah Lavi | |
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 in 1966 |
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On this day in 2017 actress, singer, model Daliah Lavi died in Asheville, North Carolina at the age of 74. Born Daliah Lewinbuk [or Levenbuch]), Hebrew: דליה לביא; on 12 October 1942 in Shavei Zion, Mandatory, Palestine.
At age 10 she met Kirk Douglas, who was in Israel to film The Juggler, and told him she would like to be a dancer. Douglas helped persuade her parents to send her to Stockholm, Sweden to study ballet.
Lavi was reunited with Douglas in her first American film, Vincente Minnelli’s Two Weeks in Another Town (1962). Her portrayal of The Girl, Peter O’Toole’s love interest, in 1965’s Lord Jim was to have been her breakout American role. She appeared in Mario Bava’s Gothic classic La Frusta e il corpo, or The Whip and the Body (1963), and the first Matt Helm film, The Silencers (1966), opposite Dean Martin.
Lavi was subsequently discovered by record producer Jimmy Bowien and began a successful schlager singing career in Germany, with hits such as “Oh, wann kommst du?“, “Willst du mit mir gehn?” and “C’est ça, la vie (So ist das Leben)”.
The Final Footprint
Her funeral and burial were in Israel.
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