Maria Riva, Daughter and Biographer of Marlene Dietrich, Dies at 100

Maria Riva, the only child of Hollywood legend Marlene Dietrich, has died. She was 100 years old. Riva passed away in her sleep on Wednesday at her son’s home in Gila, New Mexico

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She was a pioneering television actress in the 1950s. Later, she became the authoritative biographer of her iconic mother.

A Pioneering Career in Early Television

Riva was a cornerstone of early live television. She starred in hundreds of episodes for classic anthology series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, she was a contract player for CBS. William S. Paley, the network’s chief, considered her his favorite actress.

She became a familiar face on shows like Studio One and Suspense. Her performances often cast her as a woman in peril.

Riva received two Emmy nominations for her work. Her fame was such that she appeared on the cover of Life magazine in 1952.

Stepping Out of a Legend’s Shadow

Despite her success, Riva described herself as a “Poor Man’s Dietrich.” She admitted she never had a burning ambition for acting.

She left the industry in the late 1950s. The television business was moving to Los Angeles, a place she did not want to return to.

She then dedicated years to managing her mother’s glitzy Las Vegas act and global tours. This role placed her at the center of Dietrich’s meticulously maintained career.

Her most significant contribution came after her mother’s death in 1992. She published a definitive, clear-eyed biography that was praised for its honesty.

A Complex Legacy and Lasting Impact

Riva’s life was inextricably linked to her mother’s stardom. She learned from an early age that fame and beauty did not guarantee happiness.

She sold much of Dietrich’s estate to Berlin’s Deutsche Kinemathek museum. This act preserved her mother’s legacy for the public.

Riva was married to scenic designer William Riva until his death in 1999. Together they had four sons.

Her first-born son, J. Michael Riva, became a renowned production designer. She made a final film appearance in a short directed by her grandson.

Maria Riva carved her own path as a television pioneer and authoritative biographer. Her death marks the passing of a direct link to Hollywood’s Golden Age. She provided the world with an unflinching portrait of an icon, ensuring both their stories will endure.

Thought you’d like to know

Who was Maria Riva’s famous mother?

Maria Riva was the only child of Marlene Dietrich. Dietrich was a legendary film star and style icon known for movies like Morocco and Blonde Venus.

What was Maria Riva known for on television?

She was a major star of early live TV anthologies. Riva appeared in hundreds of episodes for CBS on series like Studio One and Lux Video Theatre.

Did Maria Riva write a book about her mother?

Yes, she published a definitive biography after Dietrich’s death in 1992. Riva stated she acted as a biographer, not a daughter, to provide an honest account.

How did Maria Riva’s career change after television?

She left acting to manage her mother’s performing career. Riva also co-authored a book of Dietrich’s poetry and wrote a historical novel in 2017.

Where did Maria Riva’s mother’s belongings end up?

Riva sold the vast majority of Marlene Dietrich’s estate to the city of Berlin. The items are now housed in the Deutsche Kinemathek museum.

Trusted Sources

The Hollywood Reporter