Joan Collins, a legendary English actress, grew up during the tumultuous times of World War II. As a child, she and her family sought refuge in London’s Underground stations, moving from one place to another to avoid the relentless bombings. Despite the upheaval, she would go on to become one of the most iconic stars in Hollywood, later marrying a younger man.
Born on May 23, 1933, in London, England, Joan was the eldest child of Elsa, a former nightclub hostess, and Joseph Collins, a South African talent agent. Alongside her siblings, Jackie and Bill, Joan experienced the hardships of wartime London, which deeply affected her childhood and education. In a 2020 interview, Joan reflected on those years, recalling how she was constantly evacuated and could barely remember the events that led to the war because she was so young.
The Collins family, like many Londoners, spent nights in the Tube stations to protect themselves from the bombing raids. Joan remembered those times fondly, sharing that the station at Marble Arch was where they often took shelter, and described the community spirit that prevailed, with people singing and playing accordions to keep spirits high.
Despite the disruption to her schooling, Joan’s family, especially her mother, provided a sense of stability. She also credited her grandmother with nurturing her love of performing, teaching her to sing, tap dance, and even do the splits. This early encouragement led Joan to pursue acting, despite her father’s skepticism that she would last in the industry.
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