Eight (8) Biographical Notes About Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba is an African legend and icon.

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A Few Biographical Notes About Miriam Makeba

(1) She was born in Johannesburg. 

(2) When she was thirteen she entered a talent show at a missionary school and walked off with the first prize.

(3) In 1952 she was chosen to sing with the Manhattan Brothers and also toured South Africa with them.

(4) Then, in 1956 she wrote and released the song "Pata Pata". 
In 1959 she became the first South African to win a Grammy Award and that was a special occasion. 

(5) One of the saddest days of her life was when South Africa banned her from returning home because she appeared in a documentary called "Come Back Africa". This upset the apartheid government of South Africa. She only returned to South Africa 30 years later. 

(6) She toured with great singers such as Paul Simon, Nina Simone, Hugh Masekela, and Dizzy Gillespie. 

(7) Finally, Miriam returned to South Africa in December 1990, and it was one of the happiest days of her life. Four years later she started a charity project to raise funds to protect women in South Africa. Although she weathered many storms such as car accidents, a plane crash, and cancer. She had tried to remain active and serve her fellow South Africans.

(8) She passed away on November 9, 2008.  Her cause of death: heart attack.

TRIBUTE TO: Zenzile Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist.

Thelma Ravell-Pinto & Rayner Ravell (2008) Obituary: African Icon: Miriam ‘Mama Africa’ Makeba, dies at age 76, Journal of the African Literature Association, 2:2, 274-281, DOI: 10.1080/21674736.2008.11690092

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Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 – August 4, 1962)

Today, Marilyn Monroe would be 90+ years old, but the diva passed away in 1962. Many people know her celebrity persona, and she still is viewed as an icon of beauty and femininity. But let’s take a look at her off-screen personality. Here are seven (7) biographical facts. 

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This marvelous timeline of photographs ~ "A picture of Marilyn for every year she was alive, 1926-1962." ~ source 

How to watch and stream Marilyn Monroe movies

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1. Marilyn Monroe was born June 1, 1926, Los Angeles, California.

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2. Ms. Monroe feared that viewers would think of her as about a "frivolous fool", so she studied and rehearsed earnestly at various acting studios.

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3. Despite the fact that Marilyn Monroe is considered a sex symbol, she confessed in her diaries: "I was always very physically clamped. I have always been sure that something is wrong with me."

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Image credit:   "A teenage Norma Jeane, later known as Marilyn Monroe. Circa 1940."  Found on Pinterest

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4. Marilyn Monroe loved to read. More than 400 books were in her personal library. She did not finish high school and felt the need to continue her education on her own, not only to quench her thirst for knowledge but in order to be on par with others who were blessed to complete a formal education program.



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5. Before becoming a famous actress, she worked at an aircraft factory, during the World War II. Her job was crucial, She was checked the serviceability of parachutes. One of the photographers, who was looking for "fresh faces" noticed her there. The rest, as they say, is history.

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6. Marilyn Monroe ate very little and could spend an entire day drinking only orange juice. Yet she has never been skinny, according to today's “perfect size” standards (say size 5 by comparison to today's slim petite almost emaciated models who wear a size 2).





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7. In order to become the wife of her third husband, Marilyn Monroe converted to Judaism. She was fond of Arthur Miller and trust him a lot. It was his betrayal that completely undermined her faith in people.

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Over half a century later, Marilyn Monroe is still revered as a Hollywood legend, an ideal American beauty / diva. Her popularity has not dwindled. It is a pity that her life ended up so early or to quote another diva, Sir Elton John, she was like a “candle in the wind”.

About the author:  This guest post was supplied by Melisa Marzett is an amazing writer, who is currently writing for smartessayrewriter.com. Get inspired with her posts!

* Other guest posts by Melisa:

• Spicy sexual life is a reality!
• Five Exotic Spices

Related articles

• Dress Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang "Happy Birthday" to JFK
• Iconic Female Celebrities (My Top 10 List)
• Elizabeth Taylor (1932 – 2011): Favorite Movies

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Fun link:
Iconic Beauty Looks From the Year You Were Born
If you were born in 1957, the ideal beauty / model for that year was Marilyn Monroe. Check for the year you were born.

Marilyn Monroe’s Unpublished Poems: The Complex Private Person Behind the Public Persona https://t.co/NmzAwHI2iJ

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) August 5, 2021

NOTE: This content also appears at my partner blog.

Book Lovers ~ An Assortment of Books to Add to Your Reading List

Once stayed in a temporary residence when my family was being relocated from one state to another.  We stayed in this house for a few months until we found our permanent home.  What a memory! 

This house was right out a dream home magazine.  My favorite room in this house was the office/library.  Public libraries have always been one of my favorite places.  But I had never lived in a house that was big enough to have my own personal library where I could retreat to and shut off the rest of the world.  

If you had your personal library, what kinds of books would be on your bookshelves?  Here are some of the books you might find in my library.


♦ Picture Books for Children (or for grown-ups who never grow up)

• "The Eagles Are Back" : Jean Craighead George tells the story of how the American bald eagle was saved from extinction.
• "Annie and the Old One" : Written by Miska Miles.  It is an introduction to the customs and traditions of  the Navajo people and touches upon a very sensitive subject for children: explaining the death of a loved one.
• "The Emperor and the Kite":  Jane Yolen tells the tale of a young child who saved a kingdom all because she knew how to fly a kite.  So the next time someone says to you "Go fly a kite!", just imagine yourself on a secret mission saving an empire.

♦ Hot and exciting reads. Suspense Thrillers or Romance.

• FC Etier Writes Political Thrillers : "The Tourist Killer" was FC Etier's first novel; followed up by "The Presidents Club". Two novels written for those who enjoy a web of conspiracy and intrigue with lots of political overtones.
• Two Thrillers and One Romance : Just the titles of these books should tempt you. "Power Of Persuasion"; "Trusting Evil"; and "All the Beautiful Sinners".  Which one do you think is the romance?  :)
• Irresistible Historical Romance Novels : “A Rose in Winter” and “Shanna”  ~ Both books authored by the late Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, the lady who pioneered the historical romance genre and should be credited with it being one of the most popular book genres, based on book sales in the USA.

♦ History or Mystery.

• Dickens Junction Mystery Series : Love Charles Dickens and murder mysteries? Perfect!
• The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence : History and mystery set in the ancient Roman empire, written to encourage children to learn history but adults will equally be fascinated.
• Book Selections From the Vintage Series : Choose from reading about the American Civil War to life in 1930s Bombay.

♦ Science Fiction or Fantasy.

• Books by Kev Heritage, S. M. Reine and other popular authors in the sci-fi genre
• Gifts for the Tolkien Enthusiast - Can't say the word fantasy and not mention Tolkien.

♦ Inspiring Biographies.

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Now that you've picked your book (or books), 

settle down for some good reading!  :)

Also published at partner blog.

Recommended Documentary: Hollywood Heaven: Tragic Lives, Tragic Deaths

Watch a documentary on IMDb called “Hollywood Heaven: Tragic Lives, Tragic Deaths”. I know it sounds morbid but it’s about Hollywood stars that we loved, the sad lives they lived and how they died. They did such a good job keeping their miserable lives a secret, everybody was shocked when they passed away. Most people know about Marilyn Monroe but there are a lot of actors and actresses that I liked but I did not really know how they passed away.

They started off the program with the life and death of the legendary silent film actor Rudolph Valentino (1914 - 1926) aka "The Sheik". Of course, he is before my time. But I had no idea that he died at the age of 31. Complications that developed after he underwent surgery. I had always heard the story about that mysterious lady in black who always put flowers on his grave. She did it every year up until 1951. Folks have speculated about who she might be, but she was not positively identified. I guess she will forever be the “mysterious lady in black”.

It’s an interesting documentary. If you have not already seen, you should add it to your watch list.

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RELATED LINKS:

• Rudolph Valentino and the Lady in Black: A Silent Love Story

• Rudolph Valentino Died 90 Years Ago Today (So the Woman in Black Returned) – Jason Cochran

• ‘Woman in Black’ to Be Reunited With Valentino – Los Angeles Times

• Seeks Ghosts: Rudolph Valentino and the Lady in Black

• Rudolph Valentino | Biography, Movies, & Facts | Britannica

Books: American Author: Horatio Alger Jr. (1832 – 1899)

Horatio Alger Jr. (1832 – 1899) could be looked at as an American Charles Dickens; although his writings never reached the level of popularity where so many of his books were so good they were adapted to film and often quoted.  The similarity is in the subject matter of his books.

Horatio Alger Jr. wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. Does that plot sound familiar?  You're right.  Charles Dickens often wrote stories like that.

Alger didn't just write juvenile novels. He also wrote for novels for adults, poems, short stories, and biographies of famous people, such as American presidents James A. Garfield and Abraham Lincoln. His first work was published in 1849 and several of his writings were published posthumously after his death on July 18, 1899.  If you collect or read vintage books, Alger's writings are recommended.

Strive and Succeed by Horatio Alger Jr.

List of works by Horatio Alger Jr.
Buy books written by Horatio Alger Jr.
(various formats: hard copy, paperback, audio, Kindle editions, etc.)

(* Just 99 cents.)

Houdini and Doyle Were Best Buds; But Not Forever

Houdini and Doyle. When those two names are mentioned together, there is an expectation of something spectacular! The first episode of a television series titled “Houdini and Doyle” aired May 2, 2016, on the Fox broadcasting network at 8 pm CST. I had hoped it would not only be entertaining but chocked full of titillating biographical facts about these two real-life people that have always intrigued me.

Who Were Houdini and Doyle?

By way of a very brief introduction:

Harry Houdini (1874 – 1926), was a famous master of illusion, a magician who performed tricks that defied the imagination.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930), became famous for his creation of the fictional detective named Sherlock Holmes, whose character was so believable that it seemed like he could be a cunning and shrewd detective for real.

Houdini and Doyle Deserved Better

My impression of the 1^st episode of the TV series about these two men? Uuuuhhh … can you spell disappointing?

The first episode was so dull and boring I didn't bother to watch any more. Yes indeed. I am a very harsh critic. But can you blame me? These two gentlemen are larger than life and excelled in their occupation. When somebody says they are going to make a movie or a television series about these real-life people … there is an expectation of greatness! These two men deserved better.

At any rate, since I am not an “official” respected reviewer, I searched the Internet for feedback and opinions about this TV series just to see if I had it all wrong! But guess what? I was right! I found a review published by IGN Entertainment which pretty much expresses my first impression of the first episode as well. IGN reviews movies, TV shows, video games and practically anything deemed “entertainment”. They have over 200 million fans and publish content in over 100 countries.

To sum up the IGN review, in my words?

Eh! Some entertainment value, but shallow characters.

• Houdini and Doyle: "The Maggie's Redress" Review – IGN

IGN gave the series a 6.3.rating. In my humble opinion, that was far too generous. My rating would have been 3.6.

Ah well! If you can't find joy in watching perhaps you can find joy in reading. Here is a fascinating article published by Skeptoid Media that will not disappoint. It tells the story of how the friendship between Houdini and Doyle dissolved. Oh yeah! Harry and Arthur had a falling out that ended their friendship. From BFFs (Best Friends Forever!) to NGS2UA (Never going to speak to you again!)

• Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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On a Related Note:

As if the TV show wasn't disappointing enough, I was really excited when I heard that Ian McKellen (he played the wizard “Gandalf” in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy) was going to be cast to play an elderly Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, there was a lot of brew ha ha and it seems that the Doyle Estate initiated a lawsuit over copyright violations.

◊ ‘ Mr. Holmes’ Lawsuit: Arthur Conan Doyle Estate Sues Bill Condon & Distributors | deadline.com

◊ Mr Holmes and the strange case of the alleged copyright infringement | guardian.com

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• Harry Houdini died on Halloween at the age of 52. Since that time, many people hold Houdini Séances every year on Halloween. He promised his wife that he would reach out to her from the grave if it was possible. His wife tried for 10 years to contact him beyond the grave. Her attempts were futile.

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died in his own home garden in 1930, at the age of 71. He spoke these final words to his wife: "You are wonderful." Doyle's wife claimed to have the ability to reach beyond the grave, but it does not look as though she tried to reach her deceased husband.

Don't you find these two men fascinating?

Featured Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

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