The Molly Brown House Museum
1340 Pennsylvania Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
303.832.4092
Fax: 303.832.2340

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Personal passions were not ignored in Mrs. Brown's life. She indulged her love of acting, dancing, singing and yodeling. Her passion for the dramatic arts was intensified in 1911 when the famous actress Sarah Bernhardt came to Denver to perform L'Aiglon. Bernhardt was 67 years old and had leg problems but still performed the role of a young boy spectacularly. Margaret was entranced by the great actress' skill, her presence and her perseverance.

Margaret studied in Paris under a former instructor of Bernhardt's and performed on stage in The Merchant of Venice and Cleopatra. The role she desired most was L'Aiglon, and she prepared for months to perform it. When she performed the role for her friends in Paris in 1929 she received great acclaim. She was awarded the prestigious Palm of the Academy of France in May 1929 for her interpretations of Sarah Bernhardt's roles.

She decided to take her show on the road and spent three years traveling in the United States and abroad. Mrs. Brown took up primary residence at the Barbizon hotel in New York City while she traveled with L'Aiglon performing for benefits and fund-raisers. The Barbizon was a respectable place for young women to stay and study dramatic arts. Margaret studied and taught acting while living there. Critics and theatergoers in Denver, however, were not as impressed as the rest of the world. Margaret responded by saying, "As a mimic I can imitate Sarah Bernhardt's idiosyncrasies easily."

Content from Kristen Iversen's book, Molly Brown, Unraveling the Myth, published by Johnson Books in 1999.