Top French honour for Gone With The Wind star
Oscar-winning actress Olivia de Havilland, whose memorable performance in Gone With The Wind still touches hearts 70 years later, was awarded the Legion of Honour by the President of France yesterday.
At 94, de Havilland looked radiant as Nicolas Sarkozy pinned on the insignia of the chevalier, or knight, of the Legion of Honour at the presidential palace in Paris.
He told her “you honour France for having chosen us”. Olivia de Havilland, an American actress of British origin, has lived in Paris since 1953.
She played the role of fragile southern belle Melanie Wilkes in Gone With The Wind and is the last surviving major star of the 1939 classic.