Who Is Vivian Maier? Age, Biography and Wiki
Vivian Maier was born on February 1, 1926, and her life as an American photographer was marked by an extraordinary talent that remained largely undiscovered during her lifetime. She passed away on April 21, 2009, leaving behind a vast collection of street photography that gained immense popularity posthumously. Maier’s work has been characterized by its candid portrayal of urban life, particularly in Chicago, where she spent much of her career working as a nanny.
| Occupation | Photographers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1926 |
| Age | 83 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 21 April, 2009 |
| Died Place | Oak Park, Illinois, U.S. |
Popularity
Vivian Maier's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Vivian Maier stood at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall. While specific details about her weight and measurements remain largely unrecorded due to her private nature, it is known that she led an active lifestyle, often walking the streets to capture her photographs.
In 1959 and 1960, Maier embarked on a solo trip around the world, taking pictures in Los Angeles, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Yemen, Egypt, Greece, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Italy, France, and Switzerland. The trip was probably financed by the sale of a family farm in Saint-Julien-en-Champsaur.
For a brief period in the 1970s, Maier worked as a housekeeper for talk-show host Phil Donahue. She kept her belongings at her employers'; at one residence, she had 200 boxes of materials.
Most contained photographs or negatives, but Maier also collected newspapers; in at least one instance, it involved "shoulder-high piles." She also recorded audiotapes of conversations she had with people she photographed.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout her life, Vivian Maier maintained a low profile, which extended to her personal relationships. There’s no publicly available information about her having a boyfriend or significant romantic relationship. She was more focused on her art, her work as a nanny, and her passion for photography, prioritizing her independence and privacy over personal relationships.
Many details of Maier's life remain unknown. Several times during her childhood she moved between the U.S. and France, living with her mother in the alpine village of Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur near her mother's relatives. Her father seems to have left the family temporarily for unknown reasons by 1930.
In the 1930 Census, the head of the household was listed as Jeanne Bertrand, a successful photographer who knew Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art. When Maier was 4, she and her mother moved to the Bronx with Bertrand.
In 1935, Vivian and her mother were living in Saint-Julien-en-Champsaur; three years later, they returned to New York. In the 1940 Census, Charles, Maria, Vivian and Charles Jr were listed as living in New York, where the father worked as a steam engineer.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Vivian Maier's net worth is estimated to have risen significantly due to the posthumous fame and appreciation for her photography. Although her net worth at the time of her death was negligible, the sales of her photographs and various exhibitions have led to a value in the millions. The exact figures vary widely based on auctions and art marketplace evaluations, but it's clear that her work has appreciated greatly since her passing.
Career, Business and Investments
Vivian Maier's career as a photographer was largely self-directed and independent. She worked as a nanny for various families while documenting street life with her camera during her free time. Her career did not align with traditional pathways, but her unique perspective and skills made her a central figure in the genre of street photography.
After her death, her work was discovered by a art collector, which led to a resurgence in interest. Maier's photographs have since been exhibited worldwide and can command substantial prices at auction, reflecting her profound impact on contemporary photography.
The families who employed her described her as very private and reported that she spent her days off walking the streets of Chicago and taking photographs, usually with a Rolleiflex camera. She would frequently take the young children in her care with her into the center of Chicago when she took her photographs.
Occasionally they accompanied her to the rougher, run-down areas of Chicago, and, on one occasion, the stock yards, where there were bodies of dead sheep.
Social Network
Vivian Maier was not active on any social media networks during her lifetime, which aligns with her reclusive personality. However, in recent years, various social media platforms have highlighted her work, allowing for a broader audience to connect with her photographs. Accounts dedicated to street photography and retro photography frequently showcase her remarkable images, contributing to her enduring fame.
In 1951, aged 25, Maier moved from France to New York, where she worked in a sweatshop. She moved to Chicago's North Shore area in 1956, where she worked primarily as a nanny and carer for the next 40 years.
In her first 17 years in Chicago, Maier worked as a nanny for two families: the Gensburgs from 1956 to 1972, and the Raymonds from 1967 to 1973. Lane Gensburg later said of Maier, "She was like a real, live Mary Poppins," and said she never talked down to kids and was determined to show them the world outside their affluent suburb.
Education
Vivian Maier’s formal education largely remains a mystery, but it is known that she spent some of her childhood in France. She was exposed to various cultural influences, which likely shaped her artistic vision. Though she had no official training as a photographer, her self-taught skills and innate talent shone through in her work, leading her to become one of the most celebrated photographers posthumously.
In conclusion, the legacy of Vivian Maier continues to inspire new generations of photographers and art lovers alike. Her unique vision of the world, captured through her lens, speaks volumes about the everyday lives of people and the beauty found in the mundane.
In the 2014 to 2015 school year at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Vivian Maier Scholarship Fund was established to provide opportunity to female students with need for additional financial resources.
The scholarship was endowed through donations by Maloof, Siskel and Howard Greenberg, the owner of Howard Greenberg Gallery which exhibits and deals her work. Maloof used the funds received from print sales and his film Finding Vivian Maier to help create the scholarship with the intention for it to be permanent and offered on a yearly basis.
With no application process, the money will be awarded to students not based on degree, enrollment year, or medium they are working within, allowing artistic freedom to the recipients. The names of recipients have not been publicly released.
