Vivien Leigh's Extraordinary Life, In Pictures

A pictorial tribute on what would have been her 101st birthday. More than Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind, Vivien Leigh continues to fascinate and inspire.

She was born Vivian Mary Hartley in Darjeeling, India, on November 5, 1913

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The story goes that her mother, Gertrude, would spend hours staring at the beauty of the Himalayas in hopes that some of nature's beauty would be passed on to her unborn child. Apparently, it worked. Little Vivian Hartley was pretty much the most gorgeous child you've ever seen.

Acting was her earliest ambition

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Vivien was seven years old when she told her school friend Maureen O'Sullivan (who would grow up to become a film star, and mother of Mia Farrow) that she was going to be famous. She later attended the RADA in London.

She became a wife at 19

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Vivien's first husband was a barrister named Herbert Leigh Holman who bore a resemblance to actor Leslie Howard. They met at the South Devon Hunt Ball in Torquay and married in December 1932, shortly after Vivien's 19th birthday.

And a mom not long afterward

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Vivien gave birth to her daughter Suzanne in September 1933. But she was not the mothering type and chose to pursue her ambition instead of following the standard conventions of the day. 'I loved my baby as every mother does,' she said, 'but, with the clear-cut sincerity of youth, I realised I could not abandon all thought of a career.'

The "Fame In A Night Girl"

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In 1935, after a few small parts in British films, Vivien changed her name (she replaced the "a" with an "e" and took her husband's middle name for her surname). Her West End debut in a small play called The Mask of Virtue made her an overnight celebrity. But Vivien was smart enough to realize that her beauty, not her talent, was what attracted most of the praise from critics. She'd have to work hard if she wanted to stay at the top.

Viv and Larry

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Vivien fell in love with Laurence Olivier during the filming of Fire Over England in 1936. They began an affair that would blossom into one of the most famous celebrity romances of the 20th century. Olivier became her mentor, frequent collaborator, and the love of her life. They were married from 1940-1960 - an eternity in Hollywood years.

Scarlett O'Hara

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She beat nearly ever famous actress in Hollywood for the part of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind, including Paulette Goddard, Jean Arthur, Tallulah Bankhead, Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis. But it wasn't all fun and games. The shoot was extremely stressful and disorganized, and because Vivien was in nearly ever scene, she worked six days a week, and often worked 12+ hours a day. Her hard work paid off, though...

All the awards!

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Vivien was the first British woman to win a Best Actress Academy Award, and it shot her to the top of Hollywood's A-list. She was only 26, which makes us want to look at our lives and our choices.

She would win a second Oscar in 1952 for playing Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire. She also won a BAFTA, two NY Critics Circle Awards, a Tony, and several other accolades throughout her career.

The Film Star

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Vivien only appeared in 19 films, but she starred opposite some of the best looking (and sometimes most talented) men in the business. Like "The King," Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind. (Let's be honest, they should have done more films together.)

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Robert Taylor in A Yank at Oxford and Waterloo Bridge. Taylor credited Vivien for enhancing his performance in the latter.

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Marlon Brando in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. When she was later asked whether she'd run into Marlon since filming Streetcar in 1950, she replied, "No, never. I never set eyes on him, unfortunately."

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A young Warren Beatty in The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone. It was rumored that she and Beatty had an affair while filming, even though he was dating Joan Collins at the time.

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And let's not forget Laurence Olivier. They made three films together: Fire Over England (1937), 21 Days Together (1937), and That Hamilton Woman (1941).

The Actress

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Although she is known for her films, Vivien's first love was the stage. She acted in 38 productions during her career, playing iconic modern and classical characters written by George Bernard Shaw, Tennessee Williams, Shakespeare, Noel Coward, Thornton Wilder, Terence Rattigan, and others. She frequently collaborated with husband Laurence Olivier. Together they were known as "theatre royalty" and were immensely popular in the UK after WWII.

As Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1938

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As Juliet with Laurence Olivier in Romeo and Juliet, 1940

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As Sabina in Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth, 1945, 46 and 48 (also on live TV in 1959).

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As Lady Teazle in Sheridan's The School for Scandal, 1948-49.

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As Lady Macbeth opposite Olivier in 1955.

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As Marguerite Gautier in Lady of the Camellias, 1961-2.

The Crusader

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In 1949, Laurence Olivier leased the St James's Theatre near Piccadilly. When developers threatened to tear it down in 1957 to erect an office building, Vivien led a march through the streets of London to try and raise funds to save the building. She also made headlines when she was ejected from the House of Lords for interrupting a debate. The protest was a failure, but there were many who applauded Vivien's efforts to rescue a piece of national heritage.

The Inspiration

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Vivien Leigh died in 1967 at age 53, but she left behind a fascinating legacy, and did it all while battling manic depression (bipolar disorder) and chronic tuberculosis. The fact that so many people continue to discover and appreciate her life and work is nothing if not inspirational.

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So cheers, Vivien Leigh, and may your star continue shining brightly!

Learn more about Vivien Leigh here and here.