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Rudolph Valentino, ‘the Great Lover’ – Died on 23 August 1926

The great Hollywood screen idol, Rudolph Valentino, died on 23 August 1926, aged only 31.

Known as ‘the Great Lover’, ‘Valentino’ or ‘the Latin Lover’, he was one of the biggest stars of the silent era.

He died from severe pleuritis, after developing peritonitis following an operation to remove his appendix and gastric ulcers.

His death caused mass hysteria in New York, as fans rioted in order to view his body in the funeral parlour.

There are 100s of stories about ‘Valentino’ in the Archive. Just do a search on his name to find these stories.

Hull Daily Mail – Tuesday 24 August 1926

Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Western Daily Press – Tuesday 24 August 1926

Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.