Sylvia Maria Kristel (September 28, 1952 – October 17, 2012) was a Dutch actress, model, and writer. She was born in Utrecht, Netherlands. Before her acting career, she worked as a model, winning the Miss TV Europe contest in 1973.
Kristel’s acting career began in the early 1970s with minor roles in Dutch films. Her international breakthrough came with the French erotic film Emmanuelle in 1974. The film’s success propelled her to international stardom, though it also largely defined her career. She went on to appear in numerous films, often in roles that capitalized on her image from Emmanuelle.
Kristel is best known for her role in Emmanuelle (1974), and its sequels. Other notable films include:
While Emmanuelle achieved significant commercial success, Kristel’s acting career was often overshadowed by the film’s explicit content. She attempted to diversify her roles, but found it challenging to escape the typecasting she had encountered. Despite this, she remained a well-known figure in European cinema and popular culture. She also ventured into writing and painting later in her life.
In her later years, Kristel faced health challenges, including throat cancer. She died on October 17, 2012, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the age of 60.