Did you know that Helen had to flee her home at just three years old? Yes, you read that right! Scroll down to read more details. Published: November 21, 2024 4:29 PM IST By In the 1960s, an actress created waves in the Bollywood industry. She turned heads and delivered several superhit films.
Over her four-decade-long career, this actress appeared in more than 1,000 films. Famously known as the “golden girl” of Hindi cinema, this iconic personality is none other than Helen. During the 60s, Helen was celebrated for her blockbuster dance numbers, and needless to say, she brought an unparalleled “oomph” factor to every performance.
However, while her life appeared glamorous, it was far from easy. Did you know that Helen had to flee her home at just three years old? Yes, you read that right! Helen was born in Burma (now Myanmar) to a half-Spanish, half-Burmese mother named Marlene and a French father. Her mother worked as a British officer.
Life took a tragic turn when Japanese troops invaded Burma, forcing Helen and her family to flee their home. The family endured a harrowing nine-month-long journey on foot to reach Dibrugarh in Assam. The actress also survived World War II.
In a 1964 interview with Filmfare, as quoted by Jerry Pinto in his book Helen: The Life and Times of an H-Bomb, the veteran actress recalled the traumatic incident. Helen shared how she and her family were forced to leave Burma as Japanese forces relentlessly bombed the area. “Burma was being mer.