Melina Mercouri Biography: Age, Death, Controversy, Net Worth, Wikipedia, Ethnicity, Position, Book, Movies, Parents, Spouse

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Melina Mercouri was a multifaceted Greek actress, singer, and politician who left an enduring legacy in both the entertainment industry and in politics.

Born on October 18, 1920, she rose to fame in the 1960s with her iconic role in the film Never on Sunday, directed by her husband, Jules Dassin.

Profile

• Full name: Maria Amalia Mercouris
• Date of birth: October 18, 1920
• Age as of 2025: Would have been 105
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Athens, Greece
• Nationality: Greek
• Profession: Actress, singer, politician
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Stamatis Mercouris, Eirini Lappa
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Panos Harokopos (m. 1941–1962; divorced), Jules Dassin (m. 1966–1994; her death)
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Married (to Jules Dassin until her death)
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Greek
• Net worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Melina Mercouri was born into a prominent political family in Athens, Greece. Her father, Stamatis Mercouris, served as a governor in Athens, which set the stage for her future involvement in politics. Mercouri attended the Academy of the National Theatre in Athens from 1943 to 1946, where she honed her acting skills.

She graduated just after World War II Her early performances included significant roles such as Electra in Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra and Blanche Dubois in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. These roles established her as a leading actress in Greek theatre before she transitioned into film.

Personal Life

Mercouri’s personal life included two marriages. She married Panos Harokopos in 1941; however, they divorced in 1962. Shortly after, she married American filmmaker Jules Dassin in 1966, with whom she shared both a personal and professional partnership until her death in 1994.

Their relationship was marked by mutual respect and collaboration on various artistic projects. Throughout her life, Mercouri remained dedicated to her work and activism, often prioritizing these commitments over starting a family.

Career

Melina Mercouri’s career began with her stage performances in Greece before transitioning to film. Her first major film role was in Stella (1955), which received critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival.

However, it was her role as Ilia in Never on Sunday (1960) that catapulted her to international fame. The film’s success led to numerous accolades and solidified her status as a leading actress of her time.

In addition to her acting career, Mercouri became politically active following the military coup in Greece in 1967. She became a prominent voice against the junta and campaigned internationally for democracy in Greece.

After the junta fell in 1974, she returned to Greece and entered politics as a member of the Pan Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). She served as Greece’s Minister of Culture from 1981 to 1989, where she championed various cultural initiatives and worked towards preserving Greek heritage.

Awards

• Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award for Never on Sunday (1960)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for Never on Sunday (1960)
• Tony Award nomination for Illya Darling (1967)
• Golden Globe nominations (three)
• BAFTA nominations (two)

Net worth

Melina Mercouri at the time of her death, has an estimated net worth of $1 milion.

Death

Melina Mercouri passed away on March 6, 1994, at the age of 73 due to lung cancer in New York City. Her death marked the end of an era for both Greek cinema and culture.

Controversy

Throughout her life, Melina Mercouri was often at the center of controversy due to her outspoken nature and political activism. After the military coup in Greece in 1967, she became one of the most prominent figures opposing the junta.

Her vocal criticism of the regime led to significant repercussions; she had her Greek citizenship revoked by the junta leaders as they sought to silence dissenting voices.

Mercouri’s response to this injustice was defiant; she famously declared that she would always be Greek regardless of their attempts to strip that identity from her. This act of resistance garnered international attention and support for her cause.

Her activism did not come without personal risk; there were reports of assassination attempts against her due to her high-profile opposition to the regime. Despite these dangers, she remained committed to advocating for democracy and cultural preservation throughout this dark chapter in Greek history.

After democracy was restored in Greece in 1974, Mercouri returned home triumphantly but continued to face criticism from some quarters regarding her political affiliations and decisions made during her time as Minister of Culture.

Social Media

N/A

Filmography

• Stella (1955)
• He Who Must Die (1957)
• Never on Sunday (1960)
• Phaedra (1962)
• Topkapi (1964)
• Ilya Darling (1967)

Books

• I Was Born Greek

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