Let’s talk about Merle Oberon, the iconic actress who brought Catherine Earnshaw to life in Wuthering Heights. In one of the film's most poignant scenes, she delivers a heartfelt farewell to Heathcliff, portrayed by the legendary Sir Laurence Olivier. As her character lies on her deathbed, she utters those unforgettable words: “I’m yours, Heathcliff. I’ve never been anyone else’s.” It’s a performance that lingers in the hearts of fans, but there’s more to Merle than meets the eye.
While Merle Oberon became synonymous with quintessential British elegance, she was carrying a secret that could have altered her entire career. And here’s the kicker: it wasn’t just any secret—it was a deeply personal one tied to her identity. So, let’s dive in and uncover the untold story of this Hollywood legend.
From Mumbai to the Silver Screen: Merle Oberon’s Early Life
Author Mayukh Sen, whose new biography Love, Queenie delves into Oberon's life, revealed some startling truths about her origins. Contrary to the polished image she crafted for herself, Merle wasn’t born in Tasmania, as she often claimed. Instead, she was born Estelle Merle Thompson in Mumbai, India, in 1911. Her mother, Constance, was half Sinhalese and half white, which added complexity to Merle’s cultural background.
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Merle’s origins were shrouded in mystery from the very beginning. Born out of a tragic circumstance—her mother Constance was raped by her stepfather—Merle was raised in extreme poverty by her grandmother. To protect her from the stigma, she was told that Constance was her half-sister. Growing up in British India, Merle faced discrimination due to her mixed-race heritage. Anglo-Indians, like Merle, were often marginalized, making her journey to stardom all the more remarkable.
Breaking Barriers: Merle Oberon’s Rise to Fame
Despite the challenges, Merle’s natural talent and beauty set her apart. She attended La Martinière Calcutta on a scholarship, where she faced alienation because of her mixed-race background. Yet, she persevered, setting her sights on acting at an early age. At just 17, she arrived in London, where her journey truly began.
Her early roles were often typecast as foreign women—French, Spanish, or even Japanese. But her life changed when she met Alexander Korda, the director who became her first husband. Korda saw her potential and helped her craft a backstory that aligned with Hollywood’s expectations. They concocted a tale that Merle was born to white parents in Tasmania, Australia. This fabricated identity was crucial for her success in a film industry governed by the restrictive Hays Code, which banned interracial romances.
The Weight of Secrets: Navigating Hollywood’s Racial Restrictions
If the truth about Merle’s heritage had come to light, it would have jeopardized her career. In the 1930s, opportunities for people of color in Hollywood were severely limited. Immigration policies further complicated matters, as people from India faced significant restrictions when entering the United States. To secure her place in Hollywood, Merle had to pass as white.
