Kyveli

Kyveli is definitely a woman who got it all in life; looks, love, honors, fame, wealth and a long living to enjoy all of that.

Her name soon became synonymous with Greek theater while the way of her living played out in print in the newspapers of her time.

The conservative Greek society of early 20th century got shocked when she left her husband and two kids to follow a young, rich theatrical businessman to Paris. They got married and divorced after having one daughter together.

Her third husband was the historical figure of contemporary Greek political scene, Georgios Papandreou. He was three times Prime Minister of Greece while his son Andreas and grandson George Papandreou both became Prime Ministers of the country later.

"I got married to all three men of my life" she used to say proudly until the end of her life in 1978.

No one can say exactly when Kyveli was born but that's got to be either in 1884 or 1888.

According to the folklore she was born in Smyrna. Rumors also say that she was the illegitimate daughter of King George I of Greece.

Actually, she was found abandoned when she was a baby with a necklace around her neck and the name Kyveli engraved on the locket

Maria, the woman who found her, adopted her and raised her as her own child. Although, Maria was poor, Kyveli spared nothing. She grew up in a beautiful house in Plaka where her mother worked as a maid and attended a distinguished school for girls.
Her mother wanted her to become a hatmaker but as she herself said once "Kyveli had the devil inside for theater".

By September 1901, she was already a protagonist in life and theater while she stayed one for many decades. Today, more than a century after her debut on stage, she's still remembered and considered as one of the most important Greek actresses.