Shirley Temple pasted away February 12, 2014.
From child actress to US Diplomat, was this a life of contrasts or could we predict it by looking at her birth order?
Conception and Birth
Her mother Gertrude wanted a girl and was told by a fortune teller that if her husband had his tonsils out she would conceive a girl. Shirley’s father was a bank branch manager and he did agree to have his tonsils removed. Once removed they grew back and Gertrude persuaded him to have them removed a second time. Just like the fortune teller had predicted, mom conceived Shirley, born April 23, 1928. Shirley had two older brothers, John 12 yrs. older and George Jr. 8 years older. This gave Shirley the double birth order of an Only/Three.
What is a Double Birth Order?
When four years or more separate one sibling from all others they receive the Only birth order characteristics along with their number at birth. The Only birth order can amplify, intensify and magnify the characteristics of their birth number. In Shirley’s case the birth order number three.
The Only and Three Birth Orders
The 3 birth order gave Shirley her sensitivity and sweetness, one of its characteristics. Three’s are the dreamers and those that try to hide their vulnerability. They desire to help mankind in some way. The cause is always a cause bigger than themselves. The Only side of the birth order is the adult in the room. Because of the large age gap between siblings, Shirley spent many years with her mother. As the only girl she got special attention and developed the self-esteem of an Only child. The Only characteristic gives a child the ability to talk like an adult. Most child stars have this Only birth order either singularly or with another number. When you combine an Only with a number 3 you get the ”Drama Queen, ” they like being on stage and in the public eye.
The Only/Three Birth Order
Shirley was known as “little miss one take”. She did her lines flawlessly and spoke like an adult. Her audience fell in love with her. She showed the adorable side of the 3 personality. One director called her a “50 year old dwarf.” Unfortunately, she could not parlay her career into adulthood. What made her so unique as a child acting like an adult would not carry over into an adult acting career.
Love at First Sight
Having 8 years between herself and her next sibling gave her a birth order that was 80% and Only and 20% a Three. Her second husband Charles Alden Black was an Only child and Shirley said it was love at first sight. I say it was the link with the Only side of her birth order. They were married until his death in 2005.
Adult Career
Shirley’s double birth order would not let her hide her unique talents. After her movie career was over she went into politics and served as the Chief of White House Protocol working behind the scene arranging itineraries for dignitaries, organizing ceremonies and treaty signings. She was on stage with all these diplomats and the President. She took center stage again as ambassador to Czechoslovakia and Ghana.
Breast Cancer
In 1972 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. Following the operation she announced it to the world to help increase awareness of the problem. In 1973 she did an article for McCall’s and became one of the first prominent women to speak openly about breast cancer. This is the “Drama Queen” not afraid to be on stage but also showing her need to help others. Her life demonstrates how her birth order influenced her actions. She will always be remembered as a life well lived and as the little girl on the Good Ship Lollipop.
You can learn more about Double Birth Orders in my book Life’s Fingerprint: How Birth Order Affects Your Path Throughout Life. By Dr. Robert V.V. Hurst or visit our website www.lifesfingerprint.com
Read more posts by Dr. Robert Hurst, expert on how your birth order impacts your personality and overall success.
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