Even after retirement, Norma maintained her interest in the film industry. While staying at a ski lodge, she noticed a photo of the receptionist's daughter and recommended her to MGM - that girl, became the star known as

. She also discovered a handsome young businessman beside a swimming pool - now actor/producer

.



Turned down the role of Scarlett O'Hara in

(1939) and the title role in

(1942).



She is one of the celebrities whose picture

placed on the wall of her bedroom in the "Secret Annex" while in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam.



She and her brother

were the first Oscar-winning brother and sister.





Was offered the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (1950), but she turned it down. Gloria Swanson , who went on to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, was cast instead.

Said to have been a major influence on the life of Eva Perón after Peron saw her in the role of Marie Antoinette.

Facts I didn't know before: