INGRID BERGMAN A Timeless Natural Beauty!
Ingrid Bergman:
The 1940s introduced us to Ingrid Bergman, an actress whose natural beauty defied Hollywood’s standards, making her an icon of timeless elegance.
Named after Princess Ingrid of Sweden, Ingrid was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on August 29th, 1915, to a German mother, Frieda Henrietta Augusta Louise (née Adler), and a Swedish father, Justus Samuel Bergman. Tragedy struck early in her life; Ingrid lost her mother at the tender age of two, leaving her to be raised by her father.
Her father, who owned a photography shop, recognized Ingrid’s talent and encouraged her creative side. He enrolled her in voice lessons, hoping she would become an opera singer. Despite three years of training, Ingrid’s heart was set on becoming an actress—a dream that would soon become her reality.
At eleven years old, Ingrid faced another devastating loss when her father passed away. She was then raised by her elderly uncle, who continued to nurture her artistic ambitions. Enrolled in a private school, Ingrid’s love for acting flourished as she took on various roles in school plays. Though her uncle supported her dreams, he, too, passed away during her teenage years.
In the early 1930s, Ingrid enrolled at the Royal Dramatic Theater School in Stockholm, where she spent a year honing her craft. By the late 1930s, she headed to Hollywood with just one suitcase and “no makeup kit.” When Irene Selznick, wife of producer David Selznick, first saw Ingrid, she was shocked by her natural appearance and exclaimed, “You mean you have nothing on your face?” Ingrid’s reply was unyielding: “I think you’ve made a big mistake. I thought you saw me in the movie Intermezzo and liked me. Now you want to change everything. I’d rather not do the movie; I’ll take the next train and return home.”
Ingrid stayed true to her natural beauty, and it became her signature. With thick brows, and minimal makeup—just a flick of eyeliner and a touch of mascara—her flawless look and undeniable talent secured her place in film history. Her most iconic role was as Ilsa Lund in the classic film Casablanca, where she co-starred with Humphrey Bogart, who delivered the famous line, “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
Unlike many actresses of her time, Ingrid embraced her natural beauty. She only wore makeup when required for a role, preferring a more understated look off-screen. However, she was known for shaving a centimeter off her hairline to create the illusion of a larger forehead, a subtle grooming technique that enhanced her features.
Ingrid’s personal life was as eventful as her career. She married Swedish neurosurgeon Dr. Petter (Aron) Lindstrom, Italian film director and screenwriter Roberto Rossellini, and Swedish producer Lars Schmidt. She had four children: Pia Lindstrom, her firstborn, twins Isabella and Isotta Rossellini, and Renato Roberto Giusto Giuseppe Rossellini.
Ingrid Bergman passed away in Chelsea, London, on August 29th, 1982—her 67th birthday—after a battle with cancer. Her legacy as a natural beauty and talented actress continues to inspire generations.