On this day, 6th July 1887, Annette Kellermann, Australian champion swimmer, actress and vaudeville star, was born in Sydney.
Annette Kellermann was born in Marrickville, Sydney in 1887. She learnt to swim in order to help strengthen her weak legs and by the age of 15 was winning races and giving diving displays. After moving to America, she became known as "The Diving Venus,“ and "The Australian Mermaid”. She performed diving and swimming feats for a rapt audience. Eventually, as top star at the huge entertainment complex known as the Hippodrome, Kellermann dazzled audiences by performing synchronised swimming spectaculars in the huge Hippodrome indoor tank.
Annette Kellermann was one of the first women to wear a one-piece bathing costume, instead of the then-accepted pantaloons. In 1907, at the height of her popularity, Kellerman was arrested on a Boston beach for indecency wearing one of her fitted one-piece costumes which, at the time, was considered scandalous! The resulting newspaper headlines and outpouring of public indignation were a death-knell for Victorian attitudes towards women’s swimwear. Kellerman’s swimming costumes became so popular, that she started her own fashion line of one-piece bathing suits, the "Annette Kellermans", as they were known, were the first step to modern swimwear.
She appeared in several movies, usually with aquatic themes, and as the star of A Daughter of the Gods was the first major actress to appear nude in a Hollywood production.
She returned to live in Australia in 1970 and in 1974 was honoured by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. She died in 1975 at the age of 88.
The State Library of New South Wales holds the personal papers of Annette Kellermann MLMSS 6270 including correspondence, autographs, photographs, newscuttings and awards
This picture postcard from the State Library of New South Wales, is entitled Miss Annette Kellermann, Champion Lady Swimmer and Diver of the World.
