The Real Vampira Lived A Dark And Desperate Life

Many actors spend decades building impressive careers, but all Maila Nurmi needed was one night to create a legend.

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Narrated by: James

[jerushamaxwell]

It's admirable that her niece was so enterprising as to publish Vampira's memoirs after her death, and also to locate her aunt's son by Orson Welles who'd had to be put up for adoption as a newborn.

[OpalineAndTheBean]

Those eyebrows were ahead of their time!! ⭐️ 🤩

[clark]

A sad story, but it seems like she always held on to her values. Kudos to her niece! She was the OG Vampira🖤🖤🖤

[kathyo]

I've always been a huge fan. The absolute rejection of a man that she loved, coupled with giving their child up for adoption, absolutely set the stage for the lack of trust she had for the rest of her life, and it's completely understandable. As an adopted kid myself, I know I had a much better life than had I not been adopted. But I've discussed these things and life with my biological mother and father, and we all know it was the best decision, as it was for her son. But it explains so much about Vampira. She was expected to just carry on. I hope she's at peace now. And, if you're just figuring out that Orson Welles was a big SOB, he really was. He was not kind to Rita Hayworth or any of his wives. He was a raging narcissist. Brilliant, but horrible person.

[davidduff]

She looks like the inspiration for Natasha Badenov from The Bullwinkle Show. Natasha Fatale.

[Hello-bc]

Truly shocking and heartbreaking too 😥😥😥😥

[thDecember]

Never heard of her, so this was quite interesting, to say the least. Clearly a woman ahead of her time. Thank you for showcasing such a creative, independent woman. ♥

[elyneburns]

Your background music is so bittersweet - lends itself to the subject very well. R.I.P., Maila-Vampira!

[haircole]

Definitely one of the best history of a forgotten star I’ve watched,
Thanks

[poetryjones]

Perfect narration, thank you. She was amazing, so intellectually sparkling, such a sense of humor, so ahead of her time. 🙏🏽👻🌹

[GwendolynPorter-wc]

As a child in Brooklyn she was featured on Chiller Theater on channel 11 in the opening montage clips of other movies. Plan 9 was in the montage where she's walking towards the camera. It was fun! She was scary! This was in the 1960s!

[KassKat]

Man I was so happy when I clicked this video to hear it was this guy narrating! I could probably listen to him read recipes and be captivated 🖤

[mistryandfred]

That was really a fantastic episode. Thanks so much.

[Belluser-weuccbl]

I didn't know she had a baby and you know what?I can't believe he got away with not paying child support. What a dead beat. He was a millionaire.

[rickyblackburn-ne]

She had style and class. I love that she adopted out her baby to give him a good chance at life.

[eyeseeeee]

Omg so she was the original "elvira" how sad she was NEVER credited 4 it, bc until now I've never heard of her GREAT story thnk u

[lestatsluv]

As a Goth who grew up wanting to be a combination of Vampira, Elvira, and Morticia (with a dash of Lilly Munster sprinkled in), I can never understate the impact women like Nurmi had on me. It was not just their style (though god knows I love that). It was the fact that if you dig into the lives of both Nurmi and Cassandra Peterson, they were strong, resourceful women and the characters they played reflected the courage and humor it takes to be a round hole in a world full of square pegs... something many of us who are Goth resonate with in a soul deep way. It breaks my heart that Maila Nurmi lived and died in such a heartbreaking way. But whether she knew it or not, for some of us, her legacy will forever live on. 🖤🖤🖤

[dianapearson]

She was a beauty without all that makeup!!! And, crap, what a figure!!!!

[TMichelle]

Danggg Elvira owes Vampria her entire life and career

[ijfsfv]

Rita Hayworth divorced him because of his violent outbursts and beatings. He had no self control over his jealousy.