In the enigmatic world of Vivian Maier, every revelation unveils a new layer of her captivating narrative. Recently, a surprising connection emerged, shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of Maier’s life – her role as the nanny to television personality Phil Donahue.
Phil Donahue, renowned for his pioneering work in the realm of television talk shows, revealed in an interview with Hollywood Reporter magazine a remarkable tidbit about his past – Vivian Maier, the elusive street photographer whose work continues to mesmerize the world, once served as his nanny. Donahue said “I met her in a Chicago diner in the late ’70s and hired her. She was our nanny.”
“I remember Vivian taking a picture of the inside of a garbage can. I thought, “they laughed at Picasso.” But I didn’t ask Vivian how I could help her try to become a Picasso herself. She never offered to show her pictures, but like most of her employers, I never asked either. Had I seen her work, I hope I would have been generous enough to say, “Vivian, you might have something here. Can I help you get an agent?” Here she was, living with someone who could have helped her — what are the chances of that? — and it still didn’t happen. That opportunity never came” – Phil Donahue
The revelation adds a fascinating dimension to our understanding of Vivian Maier’s life. Beyond her extraordinary talent behind the lens, Maier was respected nanny to be entrusted with the care of children of wealthy families of notable figures such as Phil Donahue.
“Like other families in the film, I hired Vivian to take care of my kids. We were her employers, not her confidants, benefactors or friends. We didn’t ask many questions. We didn’t ask the right questions. And so we didn’t realize a genius was living in our spare bedroom” – Phil Donahue
“Packing Up” by Vivian Maier, circa 1955, shown here, demonstrates the rapport that nanny Vivian had with children in her care. © 2017 The Estate of Vivian Maier. All rights reserved.
For Donahue, Maier was not just a caregiver but a presence imbued with creativity, curiosity, and an unmistakable aura of mystery. In her quiet moments between childcare duties, Maier undoubtedly observed the world around her with the same keen eye that would later define her photographic legacy. By the late 1970s, Vivian Maier appears to have withdrawn from photography, and her films were packed away.
Various accounts of the negatives and prints in the suitcases and boxes sold at auction have said the photographs appear to be from the 1950s and 1960s. Colour transparencies or slides coming onto auctions are revealing more about her later work.
The juxtaposition of Maier’s role as a nanny with her passion for photography offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of identity and the pursuit of artistic fulfillment. While she may have spent her days attending to the needs of others, Maier’s inner world was alive with the rich tapestry of visual storytelling, waiting to be unleashed through her lens.
As we delve deeper into the life of Vivian Maier, each revelation serves as a reminder of the multifaceted nature of human experience. From her humble beginnings as a nanny to her emergence as one of the most revered street photographers of the 20th century, Maier’s
journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of one’s artistic vision.
In the annals of history, Vivian Maier’s name will forever be synonymous with creativity, innovation, and the indomitable spirit of the artist. And as we continue to unravel the mysteries of her life, we are reminded of the enduring impact of her work – a legacy that transcends time, space, and the boundaries of artistic expression.
“I think it has much to teach us: about how important artists are to society, about the sacrifice it takes to be an artist and about how many great artists may be laboring anonymously right under our noses.” – Phil Donahue
Maier’s story also illustrates the heroic life of a true artist. Why was her work never seen during her lifetime? She was a private person by all accounts, but, as the film shows, faced barriers as a woman, grappled with working-class struggles and likely feared rejection by the commercial art world. These factors, the film suggests, likely prevented Maier from becoming a professional photographer, rather than some noble desire to remain unknown.
The Oscar-nominated documentary Finding Vivian Maier tells this story, and not only is it a great film, it is a film that will be watched for years to come.
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