Wessely, Paula

ACTOR (AUSTRIA)
BORN 20 Jan 1907, Wien - DIED 13 May 2000, Wien
GRAVE LOCATION Wien: Grinzinger Friedhof, 19., An den langen Lüssen 33 (6-3-3)

Paula Wessely started her career at the Volkstheater in Vienna in 1924. In 1934 she made her fil debut in "Maskerade". In 1935 she married the Hungarian actor Attila Hörbiger. She became one of the most popular actresses of the Third Reich and was called "Die Wessely". During the Second World War she played in nazi propaganda movies like "Heimkehr" ("Coming Home", 1941). These movies were sponsored by Goebbels himself. After the war she apologized and her fans remained faithful to her. In 1948 she was allowed to pursue her career.

She refused several invitations to go to Hollywood and therefore never really became famous outside the German speaking region. In later years she returned to the theatre.

She had three daughters who also became actresses: Christiana Hörbiger, Maresa Hörbiger and Elisabeth Orth. She died in a hospital in Vienna, aged 93 and was buried beside Attila Hörbiger at the Grinzinger cemetery in Vienna.

Family
 • Husband: Hörbiger, Attila

Sources
 • You're Outta Here!
• Internet Movie Database
• Porträt der Schauspielerin Paula Wessely by Thomas Staedeli

Images

The grave of Attila Hörbiger and Paula Wessely at the Grinzinger Friedhof, Vienna.
Picture by Androom (29 Aug 2002)
 
Paula Wessely.
(1939-1940)
 
Paula Wessely.
(1941-1944)
 

Paula Wessely.
(1933-1934)
 
Paula Wessely.
(1941-1944)
 
Paula Wessely.
 

Paula Wessely.
(1941-1944)
 
Paula Wessely.
(1941-1944)
 
Paula Wessely.
(1935-1936)
 

Paula Wessely.
(1937-1938)
Picture by Froelich-Film
 
Paula Wessely.
Picture by Union Film
 
Paula Wessely.
(1939-1940)
Picture by ToBis
 

Paula Wessely and Hermann Thimig in "Die Kluge Marianne".
 


West, Rebecca

Published: 1 Jan 2006
Last update: 30 Jan 2011