The Biography

Margarita Carmen Cansino (October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987), known by her screen name Rita Hayworth, was an American film actress and dancer of Spanish Roma and Irish descent. After going through extensive white-washing procedures, she attained fame in the 1940s as the titular femme fatale in the film noir Gilda. Being one of the most popular stars of the era, she was the top pin-up girl for American soldiers during WWII and was nicknamed "The Love Goddess". She is listed as number 19 on the American Film Institute's 50 greatest female screen legends.