Photo: für die Datei Arths-at / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Marlene Dietrich is one of those figures who makes you realize that "star quality" is not just a phrase — it's a specific, almost eerie thing, and she had it in full. Born in Berlin in 1901, she broke through with The Blue Angel and then crossed the Atlantic to reinvent herself as one of Hollywood's most magnetic screen presences. What I love about her is the sheer refusal to be put in a box: she sang in that low, smoky voice that could hush a room, she played violin, she wrote, she wore a tuxedo better than most men ever could, and during World War II she actively performed for Allied troops and earned the U.S. Medal of Freedom for it. She didn't just coast on being beautiful — she was sharp, brave, and genuinely cool in a way that still reads across the decades. A real original.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Marlene Dietrich
- Name (Japanese)
- マレーネ・ディートリッヒ
- Reading
- まれーね・でぃーとりっひ
- Born
- December 27, 1901 – May 6, 1992
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Ox
- Origin
- Rote Insel, Germany
- Height
- 168 cm
- Occupation
- film actor / singer / autobiographer / entertainer / violinist
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- honorary citizen of Berlin
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars
- Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
- Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
- 1947 Medal of Freedom
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Blue Angel | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Marlene Dietrich born?
December 27, 1901 – May 6, 1992.
Where is Marlene Dietrich from?
Marlene Dietrich is from Rote Insel, Germany.
What does Marlene Dietrich do?
Marlene Dietrich works as film actor, singer, autobiographer, entertainer, violinist.
How tall is Marlene Dietrich?
Marlene Dietrich is 168 cm.
What is Marlene Dietrich known for?
Notable works include The Blue Angel.
Film actor — see all → · Singer — see all → · More people from Germany →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.