May Yohé was a fascinating figure of the 19th and 20th centuries. Known for her dazzling stage presence and tumultuous personal life, her career was a whirlwind of theatrical triumphs, romantic entanglements and financial woes. Hers is a story of resilience, reinvention and eventual decline, making her a captivating subject for all those interested in the history of theater and the lives of its stars.
May Yohé’s early life
May Yohé’s journey began in her hometown of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Born in 1866, she displayed a remarkable talent for singing and acting from a young age, captivating those around her with her natural charisma.
Her father, the inheritor of a hotel, allowed Yohé to perform for guests, showcasing her knack for the stage. At 20, she made her debut with the McCaull Comic Opera Company as Dilly Dimple in The Little Tycoon. From then on, she successfully performed on stage throughout various parts of the United States.
Given her success at home, it wasn’t long before Yohé made her way overseas. She traveled to London, fast becoming a sensation. She made her West End debut in 1893 by playing Martina in The Magic Opal, and her performances in popular productions like Little Christopher Columbus solidified her reputation as a leading actress of her time.
Rise to fame and notable performances
May Yohé’s rise to fame was marked by a series of notable performances. One of her most celebrated roles was in the operetta The Lady Slavey, which premiered in London in 1894. In an interview, she explained the music “had to be specially written for me – crammed so to speak, into my voice’s shrunken circumference.” Her portrayal of the titular character earned positive reviews and established her as a leading lady in the world of musical theater.
Quite popular among the masses, it’s no surprise Yohé became a favorite of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), and she saw continued success in London’s theater community.
Another milestone in Yohé’s career was her performance of the title role in The Belle of Cairo, a musical comedy that premiered in 1896. She performed in several other shows following this, and her work not only highlighted her talent, but also contributed to the growing popularity of musical theater during the Gilded Age.
May Yohé had a tumultuous personal life
While May Yohé’s professional career was marked by success, her personal life was often tumultuous. She was married multiple times, with each union bringing its own sets of challenges and controversies.
Yohé’s first marriage was to Lord Francis Hope, the heir to the Hope Diamond, in 1894. Their union was fraught with financial difficulties, as the two quickly spent any wealth they had between them. It also ended in scandal, as Yohé left her husband to be with the handsome and popular Capt. Putnam Bradlee Strong, a member of the US Army. Their divorce was announced in 1902 and she married Strong that same year.
Strong and Yohé’s marriage was short-lived, as the pair fought incessantly and also had no money to share between them. They divorced in 1905, with Yohé reportedly remarrying several more times. During these marriages, she allegedly mothered a child, whom she gave up for adoption and, when he was old enough to advocate for his heritage, adamantly rejected his claim that she was his biological mother.
May Yohé struggled financially
May Yohé’s financial struggles were a recurring theme throughout her life. Despite her success, she often found herself in dire financial straits. Her lavish lifestyle and tumultuous personal life contributed to her financial woes, leading her to seek various means of reinvention. However, as she continued to age, her efforts were typically met with limited success.
While vaudeville proved to be her most reliable source of income, Yohé also sought to secure financial stability through various business ventures. She penned the film serial The Hope Diamond Mystery (1922), which she also toured with on the vaudeville circuit, and tried to find fortune in a farming venture alongside another of her husbands, Capt. John Smuts, that proved to be a failure.
Despite all of her efforts, Yohé’s financial struggles persisted, and she spent her later years living in relative obscurity.
End of a tumultuous life
In her last years of her life, May Yohé’s once-glittering career had dimmed, but her legacy in theater remained intact. With her financial struggles, she took on various jobs in different sectors to try and earn an income. In 1938, she accepted a clerical job with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Boston, earning $16.50 a week.
Sadly, not long after securing this position, Yohé died of heart and kidney disease. She was 72 years old. A testament to her lasting legacy, 3,000 people attended her funeral, following which her husband sprinkled her ashes into the Atlantic Ocean.
Hope Diamond
May Yohé’s association with the Hope Diamond added an element of intrigue to her already fascinating life. The jewel, known for its supposed curse, became intertwined with the actor’s life story following her marriage to Francis Hope. Her penning of the film serial, with its many autobiographical elements, inextricably linked her life with the infamous diamond.
The diamond’s mystique and the scandals surrounding Yohé’s personal life captured the public’s imagination, making her a topic of fascination. Her connection to the Hope Diamond has thus been referenced in several books, films and documentaries, further cementing her place in history.
May Yohé’s enduring legacy
May Yohé’s life and career continue to fascinate historians, theater enthusiasts and the general public. Her story is one of triumph and tragedy, marked by dazzling successes and heartbreaking setbacks. Her ability to reinvent herself in the face of adversity and her enduring impact on the world of theater make her a compelling figure in history.
More from us: Jean Seberg Had a Glamorous Life Shattered By Multiple Tragedies
Want to become a trivia master? Sign up for our Today In History newsletter!
Yohé’s life serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by performers, as well as the enduring power of talent and determination.