Bettine Le Beau's early life was marked by separation from her parents at a young age, a circumstance that would lead to a series of tumultuous events during the Holocaust. She was forcibly taken to two concentration camps, a traumatic experience that would have a lasting impact on her life.
As the war raged on, Le Beau found herself in the midst of a desperate struggle to survive. She was eventually transferred to Camp De Gurs, a facility located on the border of Spain, where she would remain until she made a daring escape. This courageous act would set her on a path towards freedom, as she made her way to France, where she would be taken in by a kind-hearted Catholic couple, Marthe and Abel Marre.
The Marres, a childless couple who owned a secluded farm, provided Le Beau with a safe haven, along with another young girl, Henriette. The two girls would remain hidden on the farm until Christmas Eve 1942, when a truck would arrive to spirit them away to safety. This miraculous event would save their lives, and Le Beau would finally be reunited with her parents and brother after the war.
In the aftermath of the war, Le Beau would embark on a new chapter in her life, one that would be marked by a wide range of creative pursuits. She would attend Pitman's College in Southampton Row, England, and go on to work as a model, actress, broadcaster, cabaret artiste, lecturer, portrait painter, sculptor, graphologist, and facilitator for a Yiddish language circle.
Le Beau's professional endeavors would take her in many different directions, from radio broadcasting to founding a cosmetic business and a charity called The Feminine Touch. She would also become a public speaker and author, penning a book titled "Help Yourself to Happiness."
One of Le Beau's most notable achievements would be her appearances on the popular television program, The Benny Hill Show, where she would appear in multiple episodes from 1969 to 1972. She would also make a memorable appearance on an episode of Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner in 1967, solidifying her status as a talented and versatile performer.
Throughout her life, Le Beau would remain committed to sharing her story and spreading a message of hope and resilience. Her remarkable journey, marked by both tragedy and triumph, would serve as a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere in the face of adversity.
