Whispers of “The Blue Angel” still echo here. This Marlene Dietrich Plaque marks the birthplace of a legend. It commemorates a woman who conquered Hollywood. It honors a Berliner who stood against evil.
Marlene Dietrich was born Marie Magdalene Dietrich in 1901. This Schöneberg neighborhood welcomed her. Germany was under the Kaiser’s rule then. Little did they know, this girl would become an icon. She would be the most photographed woman in the world.
The Marlene Dietrich Plaque is located at Leberstrasse 65. This was formerly Sedanstrasse. Though her childhood home is gone, the plaque remains. It is a reminder of her humble beginnings. She was a force to be reckoned with.
Dietrich’s career began in silent films and theater. Her role as Lola Lola in “The Blue Angel” changed everything. She gained international fame. Hollywood beckoned, and she answered.
In 1930, she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures. They wanted a German Greta Garbo. Josef von Sternberg molded her image. He created a glamorous and mysterious persona. Marlene Dietrich became a femme fatale.
As World War II raged, Dietrich took a stand. She renounced her German citizenship. She became a US citizen in 1937. Marlene Dietrich entertained Allied troops on the front lines. She risked her life to support freedom.
Despite being offered lucrative deals by the Nazis, she refused. She chose to fight against them. Her actions were seen as treason by some Germans. After the war, she was branded a traitor in her homeland.
Other stars were embedded in Nazi propaganda. Marlene Dietrich was different. She had a clear view of good and evil. She remained true to her beliefs.
The Marlene Dietrich Plaque includes lyrics from Pete Seeger’s anti-war song. It is called “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” She sang this in German. She showed her commitment to peace.
After her death in Paris in 1992, she returned to Berlin. She was buried near her mother in Schöneberg. Thousands of Berliners lined the streets. They threw flowers onto her coffin. They carried suitcases as a symbol. She was finally home.
A central square at Potsdamer Platz is named after her. It reads: “Berlin world star of film and chanson. Committed to Freedom and Democracy, to Berlin and Germany.” The Marlene Dietrich Plaque stands as a testament to her legacy.
In 2001, Berlin officially apologized for the hostility she faced. In 2002, she became an honorary citizen. The Marlene Dietrich Plaque reminds us of her complex relationship with her city.
The plaque reads “I am, thank God, a Berliner.” These words show her love for her birthplace. They also represent her strength and independence.
So, as you stand before this Marlene Dietrich Plaque, remember her. Remember her courage. Remember her talent. Remember the Berliner who became a world icon. Her spirit lives on in this city.