Annette Kellerman
| Annette Kellermann | |
|---|---|
Kellermann in her famous one-piece bathing suit
|
|
| Born |
Annette Marie Sarah Kellermann 6 July 1887 Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 6 November 1975 (aged 88) Southport, Queensland, Australia |
| Resting place | Great Barrier Reef |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | Annette Marie Sarah Kellermann |
| Education | Mentone Girls' Grammar School |
| Occupation | Swimmer, actress, writer |
| Known for | Swimmer, actress, writer, Inventor of Synchronised Swimming, Pioneer of women's swimwear |
| Spouse(s) | James Raymond Louis Sullivan (m. 1912–75) |
Annette Marie Sarah Kellermann (6 July 1887 – 6 November 1975) was an Australian professional swimmer, vaudeville star, film actress, writer, and business owner.
Kellermann was one of the first women to wear a one-piece bathing costume, instead of the then-accepted pantaloons, and inspired others to follow her example. Kellerman's swimming costumes became so popular, that she started her own fashion line of one-piece bathing suits. Kellermann helped popularize the sport of synchronised swimming; and authored a swimming manual. She appeared in several movies, usually with aquatic themes, and as the star of A Daughter of the Gods was the first major actress to appear nude in a Hollywood production. Kellermann was an advocate of health, fitness, and natural beauty throughout her life.
Kellermann (sometimes recorded as "Kellerman") was born in Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, on 6 July 1887, to Australian-born violinist Frederick William Kellermann, and his French wife, Alice Ellen Charbonnet, a pianist and music teacher.
At the age of six, a weakness in Kellerman's legs necessitated the wearing of steel braces to strengthen them. To further overcome her disability, her parents enrolled her in swimming classes at Cavill's baths in Sydney. By the age of 13, her legs were practically normal, and by 15, she had mastered all the swimming strokes and won her first race. At this time she was also giving diving displays.
In 1902, Kellermann won the ladies' 100 yards and mile championships of New South Wales in the record times of 1 minute, 22 seconds and 33 minutes, 49 seconds respectively. In that same year, her parents decided to move to Melbourne, Victoria, and she was enrolled at Mentone Girls' Grammar School, where her mother had accepted a music teaching position.
During her time at school, Kellermann gave exhibitions of swimming and diving at the main Melbourne baths, performed a mermaid act at Princes Court entertainment centre, and did two shows a day swimming with fish in a glass tank at the Exhibition Aquarium. In June and July 1903, she performed sensational high dives in the Coogee scene of Bland Holt's spectacular, The Breaking of the Drought, at the Melbourne Theatre Royal.
...
Wikipedia