Contents
Introduction
Brigitte Helm, a renowned German actress, is best remembered for her dual role in Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent film, Metropolis. However, her life off-screen was just as intriguing as her on-screen performances. This article delves into the cause of Helm’s death, shedding light on the final chapter of her life.
Early Life and Career
Born as Brigitte Gisela Eva Schittenhelm on March 17, 1908, in Berlin, Helm took an interest in acting from a young age. By the age of 12, she was already taking the lead in school plays. Her first movie role was that of Maria in Metropolis, which she began work on while only 17 years old. After Metropolis, Helm made over 30 other films, including talking pictures, before retiring in 1935.
Personal Life
Helm’s personal life was marked by several traffic accidents, and she was briefly imprisoned. According to the Nazi Party’s Press Chief Obergruppenführer Otto Dietrich’s book, Adolf Hitler saw that manslaughter charges against her from an automobile accident were dropped. Helm married her second husband, Dr. Hugo Kunheim, an industrialist, after her film contract expired in 1935. In 1935, she moved to Switzerland, where she had four children with Kunheim. In her later years, she refused to grant any interviews concerning her film career.
Brigitte Helm’s Cause of Death
Brigitte Helm passed away on June 11, 1996, in Ascona, Switzerland. The cause of her death was heart failure. Despite her withdrawal from the public eye, Helm’s legacy in the film industry remains significant. Her performances, particularly in Metropolis, continue to be celebrated by film enthusiasts around the world.
Conclusion
Brigitte Helm’s cause of death marked the end of an era, closing the chapter on the life of one of cinema’s most iconic figures. Her contributions to the film industry, as well as her intriguing personal life, continue to fascinate film historians and fans alike.
