MIA FARROW at the Sandler Center sponsored by the Virginia Beach Forum

Acclaimed Actress & Humanitarian Activist

Artistic and critical success, as well as money and fame, came to Mia Farrow at an early age. Following her young life in 1940s Hollywood as the daughter of Hollywood royalty, she gained national attention through her role in the television classic Peyton Place. Farrow went on to star in over forty movies, including such classics as Rosemary’s Baby, The Great Gatsby and Hannah and Her Sisters. As successful as her professional life was, her personal life was marked with many struggles, leading her to begin a journey toward a significant life.

Farrow’s earliest memories come from the walled gardens and rocky shores of western Ireland, a time and place where she experienced multiple hardships as a young girl. The onset of polio at age nine and the deaths of two family members several years later profoundly affected her as a child and shattered any sense of family security. Making steps to put these misfortunes behind her, Farrow began her journey to the heights of Hollywood.

As the mother of fourteen children (ten of whom are adopted) Farrow has devoted her life to humanitarian efforts and the care of a truly remarkable family. Farrow has been a high profile advocate for children’s rights, working to raise funds and awareness for children in conflict affected regions, predominantly Africa. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has worked extensively to draw attention to the fight to eradicate polio.

Her latest humanitarian effort raises awareness of the genocide occurring in Darfur, Chad and Central African Republic. At the podium, Farrow shares photographs from her trips to Darfur in 2004, 2006-2008, bearing witness to the desperation of the people of the region. Connecting to the humanity in all of us, she reminds us of our moral responsibility to assure that “never again” are not just words. In an absolutely unforgettable and challenging program, Farrow addresses what compels her to continue this work despite grave personal risk and shares how every individual can help.