Isabella Rossellini

Proust Questionnaire

The offspring of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini's star-crossed marriage, actress Isabella Rossellini has long lived—and survived—in the limelight. This month, the spot shines brightly on her as she publishes an autobiography, Some of Me, and reflects here on her legendary mother, her own family, and the joys of filming Blue Velvet

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

"Good health, short memory"—it was my mother's recipe for happiness.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

To remember everything I hear, read,

and see. I have a short memory, though, which may

make me happy but...

What is your favorite occupation?

Being part of an audience and being a performerin that order.

What is your greatest regret?

Not having started modeling at 16 instead of 28, as I did.

What is your greatest fear?

Losing my health.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Feeling fearful too often.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Aggressiveness.

What is your favorite journey?

The one I can take in my mind.

On what occasion do you lie?

Trying to tell the truth about my life.

When and where were you happiest?

Nineteen eighty-five in North Carolina shooting Blue Velvet.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

To have my parents still alive.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Having built with my two children a warm, loving family of my own.

What is your most treasured possession?

My photo collection, my grandfather's paintings, the old circus banner which hangs over my bed.

What is it that you most dislike?

Attempting to answer the unanswerable questions I am always asked, like "What is beauty?"

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Charlie Chaplin as the Tramp.

Where would you like to live?

The Hotel Ritz in Paris.

How would you like to die?

In my own bed and without pain.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

I would like to come back as myself but invisible.