On this day - Feb. 6, 1994: Aurora Mardiganian passes away at the age of 93
February 06, 2020
On this day in 1994, genocide survivor, actress, author, and activist, Aurora Mardiganian passed away at the age of 93.
On this day in 1994, genocide survivor, actress, author, and activist, Aurora (Arshaluys) Mardiganian | Աուրորա (Արշալոյս) Մարտիկանեան, passed away at the age of 93. After escaping a harem and losing her entire family in the genocide, Aurora ended up in the U.S., where she immediately published a memoir about her harrowing experience, titled “Ravished Armenia.” It soon became a silent film and a box office sensation, raising over $30 million for the Near East Relief and saving 60,000 orphans of the genocide. Aurora played the leading role, becoming the first Armenian starlet in Hollywood. She was only 18 years old.
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