The 45 best famous phrases of Greta Garbo

Greta Lovisa Gustafsson was a fantastic Hollywood actressshe, from the silent and sound cinema, known by her nicknames ‘La Divina’ or ‘The woman who does not laugh’ of Swedish origin who was later nationalized from the United States thanks to her career. She obtained international recognition for her role in great filmographies such as ‘Mata Hari’, ‘Ana Karenina’ or ‘Grand Hotel’ between the 20s and 30s.

She was highly acclaimed by critics due to her chameleonism in every character she played of her, from romantic women, dramatic scenes to her iconic Femme Fatale roles. In addition, it was one of the main reasons why people began to be interested in talkies because the ability to listen to the mythical woman who does not laugh was used as publicity. With the slogan "Garbo talks!"

She also has a premature retirement from the cinema (considered this way by critics and other artists), since she left when she became more popular in her film life, without really offering an excuse or reasons for it. She lived the rest of her life in her affluent New York apartment, away from Hollywood life until her death in 1990.

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Famous quotes from Greta Garbo

As a tribute, we bring below the best phrases and thoughts of Greta Garbo about her life and personal experiences.

1. Anyone who has a permanent smile on her face hides a strength that is almost terrifying.

Our strength does not necessarily have to make us look intimidating, but rather make us gain confidence in ourselves.

2. Is there a heaven to go to?

A question that many ask themselves, even the great movie stars like Greta. Do you think there is a heaven waiting for us?

3. My life has been a journey of hiding places, back doors, secret elevators, and all the possible ways to go unnoticed so as not to be disturbed by anyone.

This is a reference to her life in New York. Where despite seeking tranquility, she continued to be surrounded and stalked by paparazzi, even after her retirement.

4. Her life would be so wonderful if we only knew what to do with it.

A great reality. Many are lost in life until they discover what they really want to do in it.

5. Nothing scares me except getting bored.

For some people, boredom involves negative time with drastic consequences such as unproductiveness.

6. Why wonder?

Response to an entertainment journalist trying to elucidate the reasons behind her sudden retirement.

7. I was Greta Garbo.

This was an answer too, but to a passerby and movie fan of hers who was confirming if it was really her

8. Never count your joys and sorrows. You cheapen your insides when you do.

Is this true? In the experience of many people, it is fair to silence emotions, which damages the interior of people.

9. Apparently there is a law that governs all of our actions, so I never make plans.

Talking about not all plans go the way we want and that is why many choose to be spontaneous with his actions.

10. Garbo speaks!

The famous slogan that drew people's attention to talkies after silent movies.

11. I would like to be supernaturally strong to put right all that is wrong.

We all wish we had this super power. This shows us that even the most famous people can be limited.

12. Give me a whiskey with ginger ale and don't be stingy, honey.

These were her first words in the cinema of her in her movie Anna Christie.

13. I never said, "I want to be alone." I just said, 'I want to be left alone.' There is a big difference.

It is not the same to wish for an empty and lonely life than to ask for time and space for ourselves.

14. What one sees in another woman when he is drunk, they see in Garbo when he is sober.

A reference to the beauty that this great actress displayed, not only on the big screen.

15. A blessing is a blessing, it doesn't matter if you are married or single.

Our fortune in life has nothing to do with whether we can start a family. It is with what we feel fulfilled.

16. Except physically, we know little more about Garbo than we do about Shakespeare.

This is a reference to the fact that people in her sphere knew very little about her, especially about her personal life.

17. I do not hide, I run from the sun.

A somewhat cryptic phrase that she gave in an interview a few days before passing away in 1990.

18. If those who only dream of Hollywood knew how difficult everything is.

Hollywood is not a fairy tale as many fantasize.

19. There is no one who would like to have me... I do not know how to cook.

Making a funny comment about herself and the reason for her singleness.

20. I die at least three times a year.

An ironic phrase about the characters he had to play.

21. I want to live, I love life and I want to continue living.

Despite being aware of her condition, Greta had a very optimistic sense of the life she had enjoyed.

22. Note: For Anna Christie, Greta Garbo's first talkie, which had already succeeded in silent movies.

This film became one of the most famous internationally for the fact of listening to Greta speak.

23. You don't have to be married to have a good friend for a life partner.

Marriage does not necessarily imply having a partner. Many have been happy being together without getting married.

24. I feel dizzy. Life around me seems unreal; I don't feel it as something real, tangible.

His perception of life through the years. Feeling more like a dream.

25. I have never undergone any cosmetic operation nor have I used false eyelashes.

A statement that assured that her beauty was completely natural and she had not undergone any treatment.

26. There are many things in your heart that you can never say to another person.

We always have something inside that we want to jealously hide from others. But will this be counterproductive for ourselves?

27. My talents fall within defined limits. I am not as versatile an actress as some people think.

Clarifying the belief of others about your magnificent acting abilities.

28. They make me laugh.

About her Femme Fatale roles that caused so much fascination and controversy.

29. I am tired and nervous and I am in America. You don't know you live here.

Speaking of her arrival in America, which was a shock she had to go through to adjust.

30. Being a movie star, and that applies to all of them, means that you are watched from all possible directions.

Unfortunately, the great stars of the seventh art are always being watched.

31. When I was making a movie, I hardly ever used cosmetics.

She was considered a mystical beauty, as she did not need makeup to be beautiful.

32. They are yours, your joys and your sorrows, private.

Greta felt that the things that caused us the most emotion should be reserved for us.

33. I used to have in my dressing room a compact, a lipstick and a cream wrapped in a handkerchief.

This was all the makeup that she owned and she carried with her to the movies.

34. I am not an easy person to lead.

Something that characterized this actress was her strong temperament and determination.

35. Garbo continues to belong to that moment in cinema in which the capture of the human face plunged the audience into the deepest ecstasy.

She was an essential figure in the way film was made.

36. Is there anything better than wanting to own something knowing that it is within your reach?

Being able to have something that we can buy or access gives us great pleasure.

37. It gives me the impression that I am dying little by little.

A reference to her deteriorating state of health during the last moments of her life.

38. I never had a makeup kit.

As we already confirmed, Greta was never a makeup lover.

39. I like the sea: we understand each other. She always yearns, she yearns for something that she cannot have; I also.

Have you ever shared this feeling of melancholy that you can only share with nature?

40. I have always wanted two lives: one for the cinema, one for me.

We firmly believe that this is the wish of every actor. Being able to work from what they love without costing them their privacy.

41. I don't want to see anyone's face.

Speaking of why he didn't go to pick up his honorary Oscar. Apparently he was a very shy person even if he did not admit it and he did not have very good dealings with Hollywood.

42. They never leave you alone, you are just a game.

Referring to his stay in the film industry and especially his experience with reporters.

43. Journalists are the worst race there is.

Here he conforms his deep disdain for paparazzi and entertainment journalists.

44. Is it true that we go to heaven when we die?

Do you think this is true? Can you imagine that there is a peaceful sky to reach?

45. I think I'm going home.

Perhaps the only reason Greta gave for her withdrawal.