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From the moment she was born, Martha was immersed in a world of music. Her father, though a banker, was also an amateur pianist. Her mother, a housewife, was a highly talented opera singer who had given up her career to embrace marriage and motherhood. Given this background, it was no surprise that Martha's singing talent was discovered early. By age eight, she was already performing on stage, singing an aria from "The Barber of Seville." A critic at the performance was impressed and introduced her to the director of the Magyar Theater, where she secured her first contract. By ten, she was celebrated as Hungary’s "national idol," and soon her fame spread internationally. An operetta titled "Pogasza" was specially composed for her crystal-clear voice. She also performed as the doll in "Tales of Hoffmann" and starred in Kalman’s "Das Veilchen vom Montmartre." With the rise of sound films in the 1930s, she became highly sought after, captivating audiences with her beautiful voice and appearance. On the set of "Mein Herz ruft nach dir," she met Jan Kiepura, a fellow successful opera and operetta singer. Although their love was not instantaneous, they gradually fell in love, married two years later, had two sons, and remained together until Jan’s death in 1966. In 1938, the couple fled Austria after Hitler's annexation, settling first in the South of France and then the USA. Martha reduced her film work but continued singing, notably co-starring with Jan in "The Merry Widow" on Broadway for three years. She became an American citizen in the 1950s and now resides in Rye, New York.
