Quote of the day by Olivia de Havilland: 'Famous people feel that they must perpetually be on the crest of...' - inspiring quote by Oscar-winning actress of To Each His Own teaches life lessons on fame, success why you can’t always be at the top and why it's natural to have highs and lows in life

Quote of the day by Olivia de Havilland: Success can be exciting, but the pressure to stay successful all the time can be exhausting. Fame often comes with the expectation that a person must always be at their best. Actress Olivia de Havilland saw things differently, believing that highs and lows are simply part of life.

Quote of the Day Today: Olivia de Havilland on Why You Can't Always Be at the Top

Olivia de Havilland once said, “Famous people feel that they must perpetually be on the crest of the wave, not realising that it is against all the rules of life. You can't be on top all the time, it isn't natural,” as per BrainyQuote.

What Olivia de Havilland's Quote Means

De Havilland was pointing to the pressure that can come with fame. Once people reach a certain level of success, they may feel they have to keep proving themselves and remain in the spotlight.


But life does not work that way. Careers change, circumstances shift and success naturally comes in different forms. A period away from the top does not necessarily mean someone has failed.

The Life Lesson Behind Today's Quote

The quote is a reminder not to measure life only by achievements. Everyone experiences good periods and difficult ones, and neither lasts forever.

Instead of feeling pressured to constantly reach new highs, it can be healthier to accept that change is a normal part of life.

Who Was Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland was an American actress known for her early roles as gentle ingenues and the more challenging parts she later fought to secure. Born in Tokyo on July 1, 1916, she moved to California with her younger sister, Joan Fontaine, and their mother in 1919, as per a Britannica report.

Olivia de Havilland's Acting Career

De Havilland made her film debut in A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1935 and later appeared in films including Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Gone with the Wind, where she played Melanie Wilkes.

In 1945, she won a landmark case against Warner Brothers that freed her from a penalty attached to her studio contract, as per the Britannica report. She went on to win Academy Awards for To Each His Own and The Heiress.

Olivia de Havilland's Later Life

De Havilland moved to France in 1955 and worked less frequently in films. Her later credits included Light in the Piazza, Lady in a Cage and Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte.

She received numerous honours, including the National Medal of Arts, France's Legion of Honour and a damehood from the British Empire, as per the Britannica report.

De Havilland died in Paris on July 26, 2020, aged 104.