Maia Morgenstern
Maia Morgenstern | |
|---|---|
Morgenstern in November 2018 | |
| Born | Maia Emilia Ninel Morgenstern 1 May 1962 Bucharest, Romania |
| Alma mater | I. L. Caragiale Institute of Theatre and Film |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | The Blessed Virgin Mary in The Passion of the Christ |
| Television |
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| Spouses | Claudiu Istodor
(m. 1983–1999)Dumitru Băltățeanu
(m. 2001–2015) |
| Children | 3, including Tudor Aaron |
| Parents |
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Maia Emilia Ninel Morgenstern (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈmaja ˈmorɡənʃtern] ⓘ; born 1 May 1962) is a Romanian film and stage actress, described by Florin Mitu of AMOS News as "a symbol of Romanian theater and film". Internationally, she is best known for portraying the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. In Romania, she has been nationally known since her 1992 role as Nela in Balanța, a film known in the United States as The Oak. The film is set during the waning days of Communist Romania. She received a star on the Romanian Walk of Fame in Bucharest on 1 May 2011.