May Britt, the Swedish-born Hollywood actor who famously traded her burgeoning stardom for a life with Black entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., a marriage that defied racial taboos and death threats in a segregated America, has died. She was 91.

Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed she died of natural causes on December 11 in Los Angeles. Her passing marks the end of a life defined as much by its quiet defiance as by the bright lights of Hollywood.

Britt’s story is a powerful reminder of a not-so-distant past when the personal choice to marry could be a profound political act. At a time when interracial marriage was illegal in a majority of U.S. states, her union with Davis became a flashpoint in the nation's struggle with race.

From Stockholm to Hollywood

Born Maj-Britt Wilkens in Sweden, she was discovered by Italian filmmakers while working as a photographer's assistant in Stockholm. This chance encounter launched a successful career in European cinema, leading to a coveted contract with 20th Century Fox in Hollywood in the late 1950s.

She quickly starred alongside some of the era's biggest names, including Marlon Brando in "The Young Lions" and Robert Mitchum in "The Hunters". Her breakthrough role came in the 1959 remake of "The Blue Angel," which landed her on the cover of LIFE magazine.

A Love That Ignited a Firestorm

Britt met Sammy Davis Jr. in 1959, and the two were married in November 1960 after she converted to Judaism. The backlash was immediate and severe. At the time of their wedding, their union was illegal in 31 American states due to anti-miscegenation laws.

The couple faced a torrent of hatred that underscored the deep racial divisions in America:

• Death Threats: The couple received so many death threats they had to hire armed guards for 24-hour protection.
• Political Fallout: Davis, a supporter of John F. Kennedy, was disinvited from the presidential inauguration to avoid alienating southern politicians.
• Career Sabotage: Shortly after the engagement, 20th Century Fox declined to renew Britt's contract, effectively ending her promising career as a leading lady.

Their daughter, the late Tracey Davis, recalled the constant danger, telling reporters years later about bomb searches and hateful words scrawled on the family car. Despite the immense pressure, Britt and Davis had three children—Tracey, and two adopted sons, Mark and Jeff.

The marriage ended in divorce in 1968, with friends citing the strain of Davis's demanding career and an affair he had with another performer. Britt largely retreated from public life, taking only sporadic television roles before retiring in 1988 to focus on painting. Though her career was cut short, she reportedly never regretted her choice. "I loved Sammy and I had the chance to marry the man I loved," she told a magazine in 1999.

Her life stands as a quiet testament to the conviction that love should transcend the bitter prejudices of any era.