Gertrude and Vivien Leigh

 March 12, 1888, marked the birth of Gertrude Yackjee in Darjeeling, India, who would go on to have a significant impact on both her daughter’s life and the beauty industry. Gertrude’s early training as a beautician in the 1930s, which involved the study of bones, muscles, and skin alongside a plastic surgeon in Paris, laid the foundation for a flourishing career. By 1934, she opened the Academy of Beauty Culture, aiming to improve the well-being of individuals while also training others in her unique methods. Her academy not only provided treatment but also offered students the tools to carry on her legacy in the beauty industry. This endeavor proved to be an essential financial support system for her family, including her husband, Ernest Hartley, and their children, including the future iconic actress Vivien Leigh.

Vivien Leigh, born Vivian Hartley in 1913, was heavily influenced by her mother, Gertrude, who believed that beauty was a woman’s responsibility to both herself and the world. Gertrude’s approach to beauty was holistic, emphasizing the care and understanding of the body’s structure. This philosophy undoubtedly resonated with Vivien, who would go on to become a celebrated actress. Vivien’s iconic roles in Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire cemented her place in Hollywood history, but it was her relationship with her mother that laid the foundation for her self-confidence. While Gertrude’s teachings on beauty may have initially focused on the physical, they ultimately contributed to Vivien’s success in cultivating an enduring public image, which was instrumental to her fame.

The legacy of Gertrude and Vivien Leigh can also be seen in the personal connections they shared. Gertrude’s influence continued through her daughter’s life, as seen in the familial photos spanning the 1920s to 1972. In the 1958 photo, Gertrude is shown celebrating the birth of her granddaughter, Suzanne Mary Farrington, with her daughter Vivien by her side, further illustrating the nurturing and supportive role Gertrude played in Vivien’s life. Despite their differing paths—Vivien becoming a legendary actress and Gertrude focusing on beauty and family—the strong bond between them remained central throughout their lives. Gertrude’s passing in 1972 marked the end of an era for the Leigh family, but her contributions to beauty culture and the legacy she left for Vivien continue to resonate with the history of cinema and fashion.