Rita Hayworth Young: Her Early Hollywood Career and Life

Before becoming one of the most sought-after starlets of the Golden Hollywood era, a young Rita Hayworth was simply a dancer. It was years of minor roles before she became Rita Hayworth, having followed in the footsteps of her family to become a dancer. 

“I had been studying since I was about five years old. Classic dancing and Spanish dancing… I was dancing with my father, who was my teacher,” the Hollywood icon – born Margarita Carmen Cansino – said. “By the time I was 13, I was dancing professionally.”

But it wasn’t long before the star found the allure of the big screen and transitioned to acting for her profession. Keep scrolling to revisit Hayworth’s young life, the early days of her career and her impressive stardom.

Inside Rita Hayworth’s young life before fame

Born on October 17, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York, to Eduardo Cansino and Volga Hayworth, the destined actress was supposed to be a dancer and joined her family on stage at a young age. But it wasn’t until the Cansinos relocated to Los Angeles that she was discovered by a producer and made the transition to acting, having small roles in such films as Cruz Diablo (1934), Dante’s Inferno (1935), Professional Soldier (1935) and Dancing Pirate (1936).

“I didn't start out as a star,” Hayworth said in an interview. “I started out in small roles, very small roles when I was very, very young… I didn’t become a star overnight.”

In 1937, at the age of 19, the actress married her first husband, Edward Judson, who furthered her career. He was also the one to advise Hayworth to change her last name and dye her hair, making her stand out among other stars.

Inside Rita Hayworth’s rise to fame 

In 1939, Hayworth was cast in Only Angels Have Wings, alongside Cary Grant, who was already a major movie star. It wasn’t long before she herself was considered a star as well. 

Her stunning appearance only accentuated her undeniable talent, which caught the eyes of moviegoers and producers alike. She was given the nickname The Great American Love Goddess, which only furthered her career.

Hayworth began to score major roles and star alongside high-profile celebrities in The Strawberry Blonde (1941), Tales of Manhattan (1942) and You Were Never Lovelier (1942), among others. She was also a regular dance partner to the acclaimed Fred Astaire, who went as far as labeling Hayworth as his favorite person to share the stage with.

Rita Hayworth became a major star thanks to Gilda and Lady From Shanghai

In 1943, Hayworth married director and actor Orson Welles, with whom she had her first child, Rebecca. Just a few years later, Hayworth was cast in what is regarded as her most memorable role in Gilda (1946), alongside Glenn Ford. While it is one of her most notable films, Hayworth didn’t want to be associated with only that role.

“I don’t want to be Gilda all my life. I feel I am an actress and I have talent and I can do many other parts,” Hayworth explained in an interview.

A few of her major roles to follow include The Lady from Shanhai (1947), Affair in Trinidad (1952) and The Story on Page One (1959).

Rita Hayworth’s tragic ending

Following her marriage and divorce from Welles, Hayworth wed Prince Aly Khan, with whom she had her second child, Princess Yasmin. After they split in 1953, she had two more spouses, singer Dick Haymes and James Hill.

Sadly, Hayworth soon began exhibiting signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Her daughter, Yasmin, now a philanthropist and advocate for the illness, first began noticing the signs while in high school.

Hayworth was public about having Alzheimer’s, intent on raising awareness. She was one of the few celebrities to share her diagnosis with the world, which started a national conversation about the disease.

Unfortunately, Hayworth passed away from Alzheimer’s in 1987 at age 68. The world lost one of the greatest stars of the Golden age of Hollywood, but she’s never been forgotten.

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