10+ Memorable Facts About Ingrid Bergman, The Exiled Starlet

Jimmy Henton
Jun 18, 2023
Jun 18, 2023

Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actress widely regarded as one of the finest ever to grace the silver screen. Her stunning beauty, natural acting ability, and captivating presence made her a favorite among audiences around the world. However, her life was not without its ups and downs, and her story is one of determination, perseverance, and resilience. Born in Stockholm in 1915, Bergman rose to fame in Hollywood during the 1940s and '50s, starring in classic films such as Casablanca, Gaslight, and Notorious. She won three Academy Awards for Best Actress over the course of her career and was recognized as an international movie star.

Despite her success, Bergman's personal life was often tumultuous, including two publicized affairs that caused controversy at the time. Her decision to leave Hollywood and pursue a career in Europe saw her exiled from the United States for nearly a decade. Today, we've compiled a list of 12 memorable facts about Ingrid Bergman, exploring her life, her career, and the enduring legacy she left behind. From her early years in Sweden to her final days in London, join us on a journey through the fascinating world of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.

#1. She Was Born To Act

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Ingrid Bergman seems to be born to be an actor. She was born in Sweden on August 29, 1915, and grew up there. Her father, Justus, was a great painter and photographer, and Bergman became familiar with standing in front of the camera at a young age. She dressed up and donned hilarious clothing as her father's model. But Bergman's inherent acting aptitude has a darker side.

#2. She Was A Tormented Child

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Although Bergman cheerfully danced and posed for her father, her childhood was far from idyllic. "I was a very sad child," she remembers afterwards. And extremely lonely. And I saved myself by creating people with whom I could converse because I was quite bashful." Bergman's loneliness had a purpose, and it was heartbreaking.

#3. She Was Going To Be An Opera Singer

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Bergman was only two and a half years old when fate gave her a sad blow: her beloved mother Friedel died. It was just her and her father from then on. Justus Bergman, on the other hand, had high hopes for his daughter. He envisioned her as a future opera singer and put her through three years of voice studies to make her a star. However, there was one major issue.

#4. She Endured Loss After Loss

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Bergman struggled to fit in when her father sent her to a girls' school. She wasn't popular, and she didn't even stand out academically. Loneliness set in quickly, and it was only going to grow worse. Bergman's life was turned upside down when her father died of stomach cancer when she was 14 years old. Bergman was crushed, but there was one more shocking twist in store for her.

#5. She Couldn’t Find A Home

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Bergman, orphaned and alone, had no choice but to live with her aunt Ellen. She'd finally found a soft landing...However, it was not meant to endure. Ellen died with heart illness only six months after taking in Bergman. The young child was traumatized by these successive losses, and she subsequently described the sorrow as "living with an ache."

#6. She Was A Rebel

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Ingrid Bergman never felt at home sitting behind a desk; instead, she created a secure environment in her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about how much fun she had at the movie set. So, disregarding the advice of all of her teachers, she accepted the speaking role she finally received without hesitation. She was eager to begin living, and above all else, her goal took precedence.

#7. She Knew She Was Going To Be Famous

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According to her daughter Isabella Rossellini, Bergman always knew she would become an actress and that she would become well-known: "[She had] this absolute certitude in total modesty that she was going to be so different that she was going to be noticed for his differences." Bergman's ambitions weren't always rosy-colored, either.

#8. She Couldn’t Speak English

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Ingrid Bergman's first American film was a smash hit, and all critics were smitten by this lovely newcomer. There was no going back to Sweden after that. She had done it; she was a celebrity. This Swedish newcomer had arrived not knowing a word of English, but she'd managed to fly through every hurdle. Even though she had charmed viewers with her performance, she had not impressed everyone...At least not initially.

#9. She Wanted To Be A Bad Girl

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Bergman intended to play another soft and feminine role in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1941 but persuaded the studio to let her play the mischievous barmaid instead. The studio approved her wish and switched the roles of the starring ladies, Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner. Bergman was about to become a temptress. Her enticing role, however, extended far beyond her on-screen performance...Something extremely outrageous was going on behind the scenes.

#10. Her Husband Resented Her

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Surprisingly, Bergman's spouse despised the "tinseled glamor of Hollywood," and came to loathe his wife's job for its shallowness. According to him, as Bergman's career progressed, she got more vain and self-absorbed. Lindström, on the other hand, was extremely rigrid and frugal. However, when he discovered her constant cheating, his reaction was shocking.

#11. She Had A Secret Affair

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One of Bergman's notable affairs was only revealed after her book was published. She had a covert affair while still married to Lindström...His name was Robert Capa, and he was a gorgeous photographer she met in Paris. They parted ways after spending one great evening together, but fate brought them back together by chance.

#12. She Didn’t Want To Play By The Rules

Bergman's life changed drastically when she came to Italy in 1949. The approach of Roberto Rossellini was very different from that of Hollywood directors. All the regulations were thrown out the window while he was around. Stromboli's first picture with him, the main man wasn't even a trained actor; he was originally simply a crew member. But that was only the top of the iceberg.

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