Zarah Leander, a Swedish singer and actress, made a profound impact on the entertainment industry, particularly in Germany, where she enjoyed her greatest success between 1936 and 1943, during which time she was contracted to work for the state-owned Universum Film AG (UFA).
Throughout her illustrious career, Leander's musical talents earned her widespread recognition, and she is believed to have been one of Europe's most successful recording artists prior to 1945, despite the exact record sales numbers being unknown.
However, Leander's involvement with UFA, a state-owned film production company, led to her films and lyrics being associated with Nazi propaganda, sparking controversy and debate surrounding her involvement with the regime.
Although Leander had not publicly taken a political stance and was even dubbed an "Enemy of Germany" by Joseph Goebbels, she remained a polarizing figure throughout her life, with opinions about her role in Nazi Germany continuing to be debated to this day.
As a singer, Leander was renowned for her bold and confident stage presence, as well as her distinctive deep contralto voice, earning her the nickname "female baritone" due to her unique vocal range and style.
