301: Florence Foster Jenkins
The Not Very Professional Soprano
Born: 19 July 1868, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Died: 26 November 1944, Manhattan, New York, United States of America
Original Name: Nascina Florence Foster
Florence was an American socialite and philanthropist.
She is remembered for her poor singing ability and flamboyant costumes. Florence has actually earned the title of World’s Worst Opera Singer, but the important thing is she kept singing, with a smile, despite everyone telling her she was bad and needed to stop.
In her personal life, Florence was married for a time but left her husband in 1902. She reportedly contracted syphilis from him. Around 1908, Florence hired a new man to be her manager, and he stayed with her as her constant companion for the rest of her life.
Meryl Streep plays her in the 2016 movie based on her life story. You can view the trailer linked in this article.
Badges Earned:
Find a Grave Marked
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Florence-Foster-Jenkins
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45274380/florence-jenkins