Date: October 12, 2021 Posted by: Rohit Gupta In: Google Doodle

Helena Modrzejewska

Today, the search engine Google has shared an interactive Google doodle celebrating Helena Modrzejewska’s 181st Birthday, who was a renowned Polish actress who specialized in Shakespearean and tragic roles, widely regarded as one of the best actors in Polish history and one of the late-19th century’s greatest Shakespearean stage performers in America.

Helena Modrzejewska (known professionally as Helena Modjeska) portrayed nearly 300 different roles in over 6,000 plays—both in Polish and English. Her theatrical career took center stage in over 300 cities worldwide spanning 46 years and has yet to be eclipsed by any other Polish artist. Today’s Doodle celebrates Modrzejewska’s prolific life and legacy on her 181st birthday.

Who was Helena Modrzejewska?

Helena Modjeska was born in Kraków, Poland, on 12 October 1840.Her name was recorded at birth as Jadwiga Benda, but she was later baptized Helena Opid, being given her godfather’s surname.

Helena Modrzejewska was a renowned Polish actress who specialized in Shakespearean and tragic roles, widely regarded as one of the best actors in Polish history and one of the late-19th century’s greatest Shakespearean stage performers in America.

Modrzejewska’s longest-lasting role was Lady Macbeth which she played a staggering 520 times. Plus, she still found time to pursue her love of nature as a botany enthusiast and gardener.

Helena Modrzejewska Biography

Born Jadwiga Benda
(baptized Helena Opid)
12 October 1840
Free City of Kraków

Died 8 April 1909 (aged 68)
Newport Beach, California, U.S.

Spouse(s) : Gustav Modrzejewski​(m. 1861; div. 1868)​, Count Karol Bozenta Chłapowski ​(m. 1868)​

Children 2, including Ralph Modjeski

Relatives Władysław T. Benda (nephew)

Books: Memories and Impressions of Helena Modjeska: An Autobiography, Letters to Emilia: Record of a Friendship.

Happy birthday, Helena Modrzejewska—here’s to one tough act to follow!

Read more on wikipedia