The Breakdown of Vivien Leigh

Vivien Leigh's 1953 breakdown was recorded by her friend David Niven. Leigh experienced biopolar episodes before, but her 1953 breakdown was on the heels of cruel statements made by the critic Kenneth Tynan, who was also friends and later employed by her husband Sir Laurence Olivier. Leigh, or Lady Olivier as she was known in 1953, experienced industry pressure over her intense love with Olivier. Forbidden to see him during the filming of Gone with the Wind (1939) the Oliviers were happily reunited onscreen in That Hamilton Woman (1941) and onstage in Shakespearean classics (Romeo & Juliet, Caesar & Cleopatra). Leigh's tuberculosis diagnosis in 1944 when she worked herself to exhaustion in North Africa wasn't known to Niven at the time, who recorded her coughing excessively in her drafty Hollywood home. The Oliviers would divorce in 1960 and Leigh would die seven years later.
"I would rather live a short time with him (Laurence) than a long life without him." -- Vivien Leigh
Sources:
Kendra Bean, Viv & Larry, vivandlarry.com... & vivandlarry.com...
Hugh Vickers, Vivien Leigh (1989)
David Niven, Bring on the Empty Horses (1977)
#vivienleigh #laurenceolivier #ladyolivier #notleyabbey #davidniven #bringontheemptyhorses #vivienleighbreakdown #vivienleighdocumentary #laurenceolivierdocumentary #vivienleigh1953 #gonewiththewind #thathamiltonwoman

[@amybrizendine1863]

She was so beautiful and I can't imagine anyone else as Scarlet O'Hara. I am sorry that her life saw so much sadness and ended so soon.

[@RadioWhoPoo]

Yes, very sad.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

01:21 "She was never bitchy about the beauty of other women." Easy when you're the most beautiful woman in the world.

[@sandrakenney567]

Rest in Peace to Vivian +Laurance 🙏🙏🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🌹🌹🍀🍁🌹🌹🌿🌹💐🌿💐💐🌿💐🌿💐🌻🌿🌻🌻🌻🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🌷🌼🌿🌼🌼🌸🌸🌿🌸🌿🍁AMEN

[@billgrey]

Thanks so much. That description of the breakdown from David Niven was frightening. My first wife was bipolar and became "wild" like that. Hard to convey the multiple feelings experienced in a situation like that. Takes an incredible toll on the partner or friend. Very traumatic for David Niven, I'm sure. How Olivier continued in his professional capacity while experiencing her ups and downs is beyond me. Thanks for all details about this.

[@RadioWhoPoo]

You're welcome, thank you for sharing and watching!!

[@sandrakenney567]

@billgray.its sad because in the early years in 1900,1910,1920, ,1930, 40.50 and 1960. It was not understood bipolar and electronic shock treatments must have been horrific. But today its understood and tablets for bipolar now thank god is better and helps .But rest in peace to all who died by disorders they had that was not understood as it us today .🙏🕊🕊🕊🕊🦋🦋🦋🦋🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹AMEN

[@sandieyaeger3395]

I am one Vivien Leigh's biggest fans. I have major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Like Vivien, I wanted to be an actress, but I couldn't' go to college due to my illnesses. I am now on medication and my life is so much better now.

[@RadioWhoPoo]

Thank you for watching

[@sandrakenney567]

@sandieyaeger 3395.i hope you are doing well and your wish have come true .Godbless You .I wish you all the best 👍💖🌟✌🙏

[@arnesahlen2704]

Deeper than any review I ever heard about her descent into madness. How horridly tragic.

[@RadioWhoPoo]

Thank you!

[@VintageVera]

Your videos are very well-researched. Thank you!

[@RadioWhoPoo]

You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed.

[@asmrhealingyourbadmood]

Omg, that was the best description of her state that I've ever heard. Great job!

[@RadioWhoPoo]

Thanks so much!

[@asmrhealingyourbadmood]

@@RadioWhoPoo also, do you know what was the reason for her breakdown? From David's description it seems to me that she was missing her husband a lot.

[@RadioWhoPoo]

It could be multiple factors but we'll probably never really know: her career stresses, her struggles to conceive with Olivier, traveling away from her beloved garden in England, drinking, tuberculosis.....

[@shea_river]

wow that story of her breakdown was incredible !

[@RadioWhoPoo]

Thank you

[@Steve-km3nt]

Olivier was not in the film Caesar and Cleopatra with Vivien. While Vivien was making GWTW, Olivier was in a play on Broadway. That kept them apart, but they also had to careful as they were both married to others and that would have been a scandal then.

[@janinehoare2266]

Thank you for correcting one of the many incorrect facts mentioned in this video!

[@AmandaandPandora]

Olivier should’ve took care of his wife I don’t think much of a the man but as an actor so so where Vivian she was beautiful and excellent at acting for someone so sick.

[@RadioWhoPoo]

Olivier did try to take care of Leigh but was very busy working, as was she and so sometimes they just weren't around each other. Leigh physically attacked Olivier several times, trying to scratch his face and eyes, and once he tried to stop the attack by throwing her onto a bed instead of fighting back. Her bipolar condition was difficult for everyone to deal with, unfortunately

[@billgrey]

Speaking from experience…There’s not a lot you can do as the partner…. Just stay balanced and sympathetic. That’s challenging when they are berating you and beating on you ( and betraying you ) One can only take so much without developing serious health problems of one’s own.

[@RadioWhoPoo]

@@billgrey thank you

[@lisag18]

Don't be hard on him. He did his best. She needed professional help. Love and understanding isn't enough. He hung In there as long as he could. People have to find their own way

[@erikahausmann2372]

@@billgrey und