Marlene Dietrich

Maria Riva was born in Berlin in 1924 and is the only child of Marlene Dietrich.  Maria performed in Germany and Italy as part of a USO troupe during World War II and taught acting at Fordham University upon her return to the United States.  She has performed on Broadway, radio, television, and film and has been nominated for an Emmy. Maria continues an active life in California and spends time visiting her sons and grandchildren.

“Maria Riva, the only child of Marlene Dietrich, describes the all-consuming monstrousness required to be a great star in this overwhelmingly brilliant and unflinching memoir, re-released 25 years after her mother’s death.”