Melina Merkouri By sophiapangiota Oct 18, 1920 Born in Athens 1944 Graduated National Theatre's Drama School 1949 First big success in theatre as Blanche Dubois in Tennesee Williams " A Streetcar named Desire" staged by Karolos Koun 1955 Debut in cinema in Kakoyannis' "Stella" 1960 "Never on Sunday"- international success award for best actress at Cannes Film Festival 1962 divorced Panos Harokopou 1966 married Jules Dassin 1977 became member of the Hellenic Parliament 1978 retired from film acting 1981 first female Minister Period: 1981 to 1989 Minister of Culture 1992 last performance in theatre as Clytemnestra Period: 1993 to 1994 Minister of Culture Mar 6, 1994 died from lung cancer in New York
