Maureen O'Hara Biography

Maureen O'Hara was a renowned American actress and singer of Irish origin. The passionate, fiery roles she appeared in number of American films were admired by the green-eyed beauty with fiery hair and flaming eyes. Her natural beauty and glamorous appearance was highly praised and she was popularly known as the 'Queen of Technicolor' in Hollywood. Her roles onscreen reflect her brave, strong spirit. She was determined to be recognized and survival in the male-dominated culture. She was always a "tough Irish lass" who did not compromise her respect and reputation in order to secure the roles she deserved through merit. Through her long career in the film arena, she always stood up against unfair treatment and discrimination against female actors. For this, she gained many followers. The autobiography she wrote, "Tis herself", was published in 2004 and provided an honest story of her entire life including her struggles in her climb to success. She was an active woman who did not hesitate to making her own mistakes. Through the years she appeared in over 60 films and earned the attention of many across the world. Moving on from Parra and remarried in the year 1968 to Charles F. Blair Jr. who was a former brigadier and chief pilot and a pioneer of transatlantic aviation, to name several accomplishments. O'Hara eventually retired after couple of years of marriage. Blair, however, was killed in a tragic crash on a plane in 1978. O'Hara's happiness lasted only a few days. She was also diagnosed with uterine cancer in the same year and underwent an immediate procedure. She was able to recover eventually. In the following years her health was declining and she experienced six heart attacks, short-term memory loss as well as diabetes mellitus type 2. On October 24, 2015, O'Hara peacefully expired in Boise, Idaho, from natural causes at 95.