Who Is Merle Oberon? Age, Biography and Wiki
Merle Oberon was born on February 19, 1911, and sadly passed away on March 23, 1979. As of 2025, she would have been 114 years old, an age that is a testament to her influential yet fleeting time in the entertainment industry. Born in Lahore, India (then part of British India), she rose to stardom in the 1930s and 1940s, gracing the screens of Hollywood in films such as Wuthering Heights and The Dark Angel. Her life and career have been a source of inspiration to many aspiring actors.
| Occupation | Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 19, 1911 |
| Age | 68 Years |
| Birth Place | Bombay, British India |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 23 November, 1979 |
| Died Place | Malibu, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Merle Oberon's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Merle Oberon stood at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and typically maintained a weight around 125 pounds (57 kg) during her prime. Known for her classic beauty and alluring presence, she had captivating features that left a lasting impression on her audience. Her measurements were often considered the epitome of the hourglass figure, which made her a style icon of her time.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout her life, Merle Oberon was romantically linked to several notable figures. She was married three times; her husbands included American producer and director Max Reinhardt, British actor and producer Sir Alexander Korda, and finally, Italian count Renato di Giovanni. Her relationships were often the subject of tabloid speculation, but she maintained a level of privacy regarding her personal life. As of her passing, she didn't have any children, which some have speculated contributed to her status as both an enigmatic figure in Hollywood and an independent woman.
For most of her life, Oberon concealed the truth about her parentage by claiming that she had been born in Tasmania, Australia to white parents, and that her birth records had been destroyed in a fire. She identified as British.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her death in 1979, Merle Oberon's net worth was estimated to be around $3 million, which, when adjusted for inflation, is equivalent to approximately $12 million today. She earned significant income from her successful film career, high-profile endorsements, and various appearances. Her legacy continues to be cherished, and her works retain value, adding to her estate's worth over the years.
Career, Business, and Investments
Merle Oberon’s career spanned several decades, with contributions to over 25 films. Starting in the 1930s, she gained acclaim with performances in titles such as The Dark Angel and *During one of the most challenging times for women in the industry, she broke barriers and became one of the highest-paid actresses. Oberon also ventured into producing, where she invested in various film productions, showcasing her multifaceted talent beyond acting.
Merle Oberon (born Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson; 19 February 1911 – 23 November 1979) was a British actress. She began her acting career in British cinema in the early 1930s, with a breakout role in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933).
She later moved to Hollywood, where she became an international star, earning acclaim for films such as The Dark Angel (1935), Wuthering Heights (1939), and That Uncertain Feeling (1941). Her career spanned from the 1920s to the 1970s, primarily in English-language films produced in the UK and the U.S.
Her performance as Kitty Vane in The Dark Angel earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Social Network
Although Merle Oberon passed away before the era of social media, her legacy continues to be revered on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook by her fans and film historians alike. Various fan pages and forums allow people to discuss her impact on cinema, share rare photos, and celebrate her contributions to the arts.
To avoid prejudice over her mixed background, Oberon created a "cover story" of being born and raised in Tasmania, Australia, with her birth records being destroyed in a fire. The story eventually unravelled after her death. Oberon is known to have been to Australia only twice. Her first visit there was in 1965, on a film promotion.
Another visit, to Hobart, Tasmania, was scheduled, but after journalists in Sydney pressed her for details of her early life, she became ill and shortly afterwards left for Mexico.
Education
Oberon had a tumultuous educational journey. She did not receive formal acting training but was encouraged to pursue drama and the arts from a young age. Her early experiences in school productions contributed to her natural talent and charisma, allowing her to captivate audiences worldwide. Her background as a mixed-race individual also played a significant role in shaping her identity and her roles in various films.
In 1914, when Merle was three, Arthur Thompson joined the British Army and later died of pneumonia on the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme. Merle and Charlotte led an impoverished existence in shabby flats in Bombay for a few years before moving in 1917 to Calcutta.
Oberon attended La Martinière Calcutta for Girls, one of the best private schools in Calcutta, as a charity student. There, she was constantly teased by the majority European students for her mixed ethnicity, which led her to quit school and receive lessons at home.
