Born: 1881 (Marseille, France)
Died: 1920 (Paris, France)
Biography:
Gaby Deslys, born Marie-Elise-Gabrielle Caire on 4 November 1881, was a French singer and actress who became a prominent figure during the early 20th century. She adopted the name Gaby Deslys for her stage career, which was a contraction of Gabrielle of the Lilies. Her talents and beauty propelled her to incredible popularity during the 1910s, not only in France but also worldwide. She was known to earn an astonishing $4,000 per week in the United States alone, which today would amount to approximately $125,629.
Deslys captivated audiences with her charming performances on Broadway, where she appeared multiple times at the prestigious Winter Garden Theater. It was during this time that she had the opportunity to share the stage with a young Al Jolson, highlighting her exceptional talent and versatility. In fact, her dancing skills were so revered that a dance called The Gaby Glide was named in her honor.
Renowned for her captivating beauty, Deslys attracted the attention and admiration of several wealthy gentlemen, including King Manuel II of Portugal. Her allure and talent brought her fame and fortune, but she did not limit herself to the stage. In 1915, she ventured into the realm of silent films, making her only U.S. film appearance in Her Triumph with Famous Players-Lasky. Subsequently, she appeared in a handful of films in her native France before her untimely death.
Tragically, Deslys fell victim to the devastating Spanish influenza pandemic that swept across the globe in 1918. Struggling to overcome a severe throat infection caused by the disease, she underwent numerous operations in an attempt to find a cure. However, the complications proved insurmountable, and she passed away in Paris on 11 February 1920, at the age of 38.
Early life presented its fair share of mysteries surrounding Deslys. Her beauty and charm garnered the attention of many, including King Manuel II of Portugal, leading to speculation about her true origins. A private detective claimed her birth name to be Hadiwga Nawrati or Hedvika Navrátilová, asserting that she was a Czech peasant girl born in the village of Horní Moštěnice, then part of Austria-Hungary. However, Deslys vehemently denied these claims, asserting her French heritage and dismissing the detective’s narratives as absurd.
After her untimely demise, numerous individuals with the last names Navratil or Navratilova tried to claim Deslys’ fortune, perpetuating the dispute surrounding her birthplace and origins. However, in January 1930, the French foreign minister settled this controversy by confirming that Deslys was indeed born in Marseille on 4 November 1881. Her birth parents were identified as Hippolyte Caire and Mathilde, nee Terras, despite some sources suggesting her birth year was 1884. Through careful examination, it was determined that the claims made by the Navrátil family were baseless, and their connection to Deslys was nothing more than a resemblance between Gabrielle Caire (later known as Gaby Deslys) and their daughter.
Gaby Deslys left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, captivating audiences with her immense talent, beauty, and charm. Her legacy continues to influence and inspire performers to this day, and she holds a significant place in the history of women’s achievements in the early 20th century.