- Born
- Died
- Birth nameAnnette Marie Sarah Kellerman
- Nickname
- The Diving Venus
- Annette Kellerman was born on July 6, 1887 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. She was an actress, known for Venus of the South Seas (1924), Jephtah's Daughter: A Biblical Tragedy (1909) and Queen of the Sea (1918). She was married to James R. Sullivan. She died on November 5, 1975 in Southport, Australia.
- SpouseJames R. Sullivan(November 26, 1912 - October 30, 1975)
- RelativesMaurice Kellerman(Sibling)
- A scene of hers in A Daughter of the Gods (1916) is believed to be the first nude appearance in a major movie.
- Life story was made into the film Million Dollar Mermaid (1952) starring Esther Williams. An important scene in the film shows Annette being the scandal at a Boston beach for wearing a one-piece bathing suit in public. This action helped change the attitude of female beach-goers, who in the past wore billowy dress-like swimwear instead of more-revealing, less-dangerous swimsuits.
- Passed away six days after her husband of 63 years, James R. Sullivan.
- In 1907, she was arrested in Boston for wearing a one-piece bathing suit which was considered in violation of the decency standards of the community.
- She made three attempts to swim the English Channel. They were unsuccessful but her determination added to her popularity.
- [on bikinis] The bikini bathing suit is a mistake. Only two women in a million can wear it and it's a very big mistake to try.
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