Gloria Swanson: The Glamorous Icon Who Never Stopped Shining

Back in 1957, during a candid interview with Mike Wallace, Hollywood royalty Gloria Swanson sat elegantly in a stunning dress adorned with an elaborate off-the-shoulder bow. With her white-gloved hands gently twirling a flower in her lap, she faced questions about her legendary talent, her age, and whether her iconic role as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard marked the end of her Hollywood journey. Wallace pressed her, but Gloria, ever the poised and graceful star, responded with a smile. "Wait a minute," she said, "am I through with Hollywood, or are they through with me?" She added, "I would love to do more pictures. I believe in romance, and that doesn’t have an expiration date." At 58 years old, Gloria Swanson was proving that age was just a number.

Gloria Swanson didn’t just rise to fame—she soared to the top, becoming one of the most glamorous silent film stars of her era. Her fans were countless, and her life was nothing short of extravagant. As Stephen Shearer, author of the fascinating book Gloria Swanson: Hollywood’s First Glamour Queen, explains to Closer, "She lived like a queen, traveling with large entourages and spending lavishly." Gloria embraced life with open arms, marrying six times, having numerous affairs, and raising three children. "Back then," Gloria once said, "the public expected us to live like royalty. And why not? We were in love with life."

As the years went by, Gloria refused to let her fading celebrity status bring her down. Instead, she embraced new opportunities, taking on TV roles, pursuing her passion for art as a sculptor, and even launching a clothing line called Forever Young, which was sold at the prestigious Saks Fifth Avenue. "Gloria embodied glamour," Shearer notes, "but unlike Norma Desmond, she never lived in the past. Gloria always looked ahead to the future." Her ability to reinvent herself kept her relevant and respected long after her days as a leading lady.

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Gloria Swanson’s Rise to Fame and the Scandals That Followed

Standing just five feet tall, Gloria Swanson was a force to be reckoned with. Her luminous eyes and star quality captivated audiences from the moment she entered the film industry at 14 years old. Starting in her hometown of Chicago and later moving to Los Angeles, she worked alongside legends like Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, and Cecil B. DeMille. Her fame grew rapidly, and at one point, she was reportedly receiving 10,000 fan letters every week. Gloria thrived in the spotlight, traveling extensively, spending extravagantly, indulging in numerous love affairs, and dressing in exquisite Chanel couture. "She understood the importance of maintaining an image," Shearer explains. "It was crucial for sustaining both her career and her luxurious lifestyle."

By the age of 26, Gloria was already being offered million-dollar contracts. She married her third husband, the French marquis Henri de la Falaise, but her personal life was far from simple. She had a daughter and an adopted son with her second husband, director and producer Herbert Somborn. However, their marriage ended in 1923 when Somborn accused her of having 13 affairs, sparking a scandal that led studios to include morality clauses in her contracts. "Gloria was always a sensualist," Shearer reveals, highlighting her bold and passionate nature.

While married to Henri, Gloria met Joseph Kennedy, a man who seemed to offer a solution to her growing financial troubles. Their chemistry was undeniable. "His mouth was on mine before either of us could speak," she later wrote about their first encounter. Unfortunately, Kennedy didn’t help her financially. Instead, Shearer explains, "he mishandled her money and essentially padded his own bank account." This betrayal only fueled Gloria’s determination to forge her own path.

Gloria Swanson’s Legacy of Reinvention

Gloria Swanson was a woman who never stopped looking forward. "She knew how to leverage her name, her influence, and her legendary image to ensure a steady income," Shearer says. Even as her film career slowed, she experienced a triumphant resurgence with the Oscar-winning Sunset Boulevard in 1950. She continued to act, both on stage and on TV, and pursued her artistic passions as a painter and sculptor. "She also had wonderful, loving relationships with her children and grandchildren," Shearer adds, showcasing her multifaceted life.

Gloria Swanson passed away in 1983 at the age of 84, but her legacy continues to shine brightly. "Her image is captivating," Shearer tells Closer. "Hollywood will never be the same as it was during the era when Gloria Swanson reigned as the first glamour queen." Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and unwavering belief in oneself.