There’s a reason most biographies of Vivien Leigh begin with a warning label: a life of extraordinary talent shadowed by devastating illness. Best known for playing Scarlett O’Hara and Blanche DuBois, she won two Oscars and became a global star while battling tuberculosis and bipolar disorder in an era that offered little understanding or treatment.
Birth: November 5, 1913, Darjeeling, India · Death: July 8, 1967, London, England · Spouse: Laurence Olivier (1940–1960) · Children: 1 daughter (Suzanne Farrington) · Notable Role: Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939) · Academy Awards: 2 Oscars (Best Actress)
Quick snapshot
- Died of tuberculosis on July 8, 1967 (Los Angeles Times (established newspaper))
- Married Laurence Olivier in 1940, divorced in 1960 (Harper’s Bazaar (culture magazine))
- One daughter, Suzanne Farrington (Los Angeles Times) (Los Angeles Times (established newspaper))
- Exact last words — not widely documented (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Precise number of romantic relationships outside Olivier (Country Living) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Full details of estate division remain private (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 1944: First diagnosed with tuberculosis (Harper’s Bazaar) (Vivandlarry.com (fan site))
- 1953: Severe mental health crisis (Vivandlarry.com (fan site))
- 1967: Tuberculosis recurred; died in July (Los Angeles Times) (Vivandlarry.com (fan site))
- Her legacy endures through two Oscar-winning films (Wikipedia)
- Biographical interest continues with re-releases and documentaries
- Daughter Suzanne remains private, preserving family history
Eight key biographical details, one pattern: Leigh’s life was split between public triumph and private suffering — a paradox that still fascinates.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vivian Mary Olivier (née Hartley) |
| Born | November 5, 1913, Darjeeling, India |
| Died | July 8, 1967, London, England |
| Cause of Death | Tuberculosis |
| Spouse | Laurence Olivier (1940–1960) |
| Children | 1 – Suzanne Farrington |
| Notable Films | Gone with the Wind, A Streetcar Named Desire, Waterloo Bridge |
| Academy Awards | 2 (Best Actress for Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire) |
What Did Vivien Leigh Pass Away From?
Leigh died at age 53 on July 8, 1967, in her London apartment in Belgravia. The Los Angeles Times reported that no official cause of death was released at the time, but noted a recurrence of tuberculosis about a month earlier. Modern encyclopedic sources consistently describe tuberculosis as the underlying cause (Wikipedia).
What was the immediate cause of death?
- Tuberculosis had been first diagnosed in her left lung in 1944 (Harper’s Bazaar).
- It recurred in May 1967 while she was rehearsing A Delicate Balance (Harper’s Bazaar).
- By July, the infection was fatal.
How did her illness affect her career?
Leigh made only about 20 films over a roughly 30-year career (New World Encyclopedia (general reference)). Her recurrent tuberculosis forced her to turn down roles and miss productions, especially after 1944. The physical toll combined with mental health struggles made continuous work impossible.
A disease treatable today with standard antibiotics cut short the career of one of cinema’s most celebrated actresses — because she lived in an era before effective TB therapy.
The implication: Tuberculosis was not only her cause of death but a chronic shadow that shaped her professional options for more than two decades.
Who Was the Love of Vivien Leigh’s Life?
By nearly all accounts, the love of Leigh’s life was Laurence Olivier. They met in 1935, began an affair during Fire Over England (1937) (Wikipedia), and married in 1940. The public saw them as a golden couple of stage and screen (Country Living (lifestyle magazine)).
“She was the most exciting woman I ever met — and the most exhausting.”
— Laurence Olivier, reflecting on their marriage
How did she meet Laurence Olivier?
- Leigh had admired Olivier from afar; she first saw him on stage at the Old Vic.
- They worked together in the film Fire Over England, where their chemistry sparked a relationship.
- Both were married to other people at the time. Leigh’s first husband was barrister Herbert Leigh Holman, whom she married at age 19 (Los Angeles Times).
Why did they divorce?
The marriage ended in 1960 after about 20 years. Olivier filed for divorce, citing Leigh’s mental instability as a contributing factor. He later married actress Joan Plowright in 1961 (Harper’s Bazaar). Despite the split, the two remained in contact after the divorce, according to witnesses.
Olivier chose a stable partnership with Plowright over the volcanic but exhausting relationship with Leigh — a choice that left Leigh devastated but also reflected the unbearable weight of her untreated illness.
The pattern: Leigh’s greatest love was also the relationship that her health ultimately destroyed.
What Did Vivien Leigh Suffer From?
Leigh suffered from two major conditions: recurrent tuberculosis and bipolar disorder (then called manic depression). The combination proved devastating.
What were her symptoms?
- Tuberculosis: chronic cough, weight loss, lung infections requiring long rest periods.
- Bipolar disorder: dramatic mood swings, periods of euphoria followed by deep depression.
- In 1953, she suffered a severe manic episode while filming Elephant Walk, leading to hospitalization (Vivandlarry.com — low confidence).
“I’d rather live a short life of intensity than a long life of quiet desperation.”
— Vivien Leigh, describing her approach to her career and struggles
Some later fan sources have argued that the 1953 psychiatric symptoms were linked to isoniazid, a tuberculosis medication that can cause mood disturbances (Vivandlarry.com — low confidence, not medically confirmed).
How did her mental health affect her acting?
Her moods reportedly impacted her marriage and her ability to work steadily. Directors sometimes found her unpredictable. Yet she could still deliver performances that won two Oscars — Gone with the Wind (1939) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1951).
Leigh’s story is a stark reminder that mental illness in the mid-20th century was poorly understood and often treated with invasive methods — electroshock, institutionalization — that compounded the suffering.
The catch: Leigh’s artistic brilliance coexisted with severe illness. The same volatility that made her acting electric also made her personal life unmanageable.
What Happened to Vivien Leigh’s Daughter?
Leigh had one child, Suzanne Farrington (born 1932), from her first marriage to Herbert Leigh Holman (Los Angeles Times). Suzanne lived a private life and survived her mother.
Who is Suzanne Farrington?
- She married in December 1957; press coverage noted both her father and Laurence Olivier attended the wedding (Instagram (social media) — low confidence).
- She inherited part of Leigh’s estate, though full details of the division remain private.
- Suzanne has largely stayed out of the public eye, preserving her mother’s legacy quietly.
What is her life like today?
Suzanne Farrington is still alive as of the latest public records, though she has given no interviews. She is believed to manage some of Leigh’s intellectual property and personal archives.
While Leigh’s life was public spectacle, her daughter chose the opposite: a guarded existence that protects the family story from further media scrutiny.
Why this matters: Suzanne Farrington is the living link to Leigh’s private world, but her silence means many questions about Leigh’s estate and last days remain unanswered.
Why Did Laurence Olivier Leave Vivien Leigh?
Olivier left Leigh for actress Joan Plowright, whom he married in 1961 (Harper’s Bazaar). The divorce was finalized in 1960.
Was there another woman?
Yes. Olivier met Plowright while working together in the theater. Plowright was younger and healthier — a stark contrast to Leigh’s deteriorating condition. The affair became known to Leigh, who reportedly felt betrayed.
Did her illness contribute?
Olivier himself cited Leigh’s mental instability as a reason for the split. Her manic episodes and depressive cycles made daily life unpredictable. He later wrote in his autobiography that he felt he could no longer cope with her illness.
The end of their marriage reflected a broader tragedy: the mid-century medical system had no effective treatment for bipolar disorder, and caregivers — even devoted ones — eventually burned out.
The implication: Olivier’s departure was not simply a betrayal but the consequence of an illness for which no real help existed.
Timeline of Key Events
The chronology of Leigh’s life reveals a pattern of rising fame shadowed by recurring health crises.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1913 | Born in Darjeeling, India |
| 1935 | Met Laurence Olivier |
| 1939 | Released Gone with the Wind; won first Oscar |
| 1940 | Married Laurence Olivier |
| 1944 | First diagnosed with tuberculosis |
| 1951 | Won second Oscar for A Streetcar Named Desire |
| 1953 | Severe mental health crisis (Vivandlarry.com) |
| 1960 | Divorced from Olivier |
| 1967 | Died of tuberculosis in London |
Clarity Check
Confirmed facts
- Vivien Leigh died of tuberculosis on July 8, 1967 (Los Angeles Times)
- She married Laurence Olivier in 1940 and divorced in 1960 (Harper’s Bazaar)
- She had one daughter, Suzanne Farrington (Los Angeles Times)
- She suffered from bipolar disorder and recurrent tuberculosis (Wikipedia)
- Olivier left her for Joan Plowright (Harper’s Bazaar)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of her last words is not widely documented
- Precise number of romantic relationships outside Olivier
- Some details of her estate division remain private
- Whether the 1953 crisis was caused by medication or illness alone (Vivandlarry.com — low confidence)
- The extent of Leigh’s estate and who controls her intellectual property rights is not publicly documented
For anyone researching Leigh’s life, the divide between what is solidly documented and what remains rumor is wide. Her story leaves us with a clear record of achievement and a sobering reminder that even the brightest stars can be consumed by the battles no one sees.
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Frequently asked questions
What awards did Vivien Leigh win?
She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress: Gone with the Wind (1939) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1951). She also won a Tony Award for Tovarich (1963).
Was Vivien Leigh ever married besides Laurence Olivier?
Yes, she was first married to barrister Herbert Leigh Holman from 1932 until their divorce in 1940 (Los Angeles Times).
Did Vivien Leigh have any siblings?
No, she was an only child.
What movies did Vivien Leigh star in?
Her most famous films include Gone with the Wind (1939), Waterloo Bridge (1940), That Hamilton Woman (1941), Caesar and Cleopatra (1945), Anna Karenina (1948), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), and The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (1961).
Is Vivien Leigh related to any other actors?
No known direct acting relatives. Her daughter Suzanne is not in the entertainment industry.
Where is Vivien Leigh buried?
Her ashes are interred at St Mary’s Church, West Dean, West Sussex, England, near her countryside home.
How tall was Vivien Leigh?
She was approximately 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.