She’s an icon of old Hollywood, starring alongside such actors as Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. She’s one of the few treasures of the Silver Screen era left. PEOPLE announced that Olivia de Havilland turned 102. The 2-time Oscar-winning actress has lived in Paris for decades. she’s the only living primary cast member of the 1939 classic film, “Gone With The Wind.”
She was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance of Melanie Hamilton Wilkes, the sister-in-law and eventual best friend of lead character, Scarlett O’Hara played by Leigh.
Olivia as Melanie in "Gone with the Wind" (1939).
Posted by Olivia de Havilland on Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Though de Havilland didn’t take home a coveted statue for her performance, she did win one for her performances in “To Each His Own”, 1946, and the 1949 romance “The Heiress.”
The icon’s latest role wasn’t for one she played on screen. She was the oldest person to be named a dame by Queen Elizabeth II. The 100-year-old gracious lady told PEOPLE in a written statement that she was “extremely proud that the Queen has appointed me a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire,” continuing that, “to receive this honor as my 101st birthday approaches is the most gratifying of birthday presents.”
Olivia de Havilland, age 81, poses in her lush Paris garden in 1997.
Posted by Olivia de Havilland on Sunday, April 29, 2018
Happy birthday, Ms de Havilland!