CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Why we think Maria Callas is a Type 3
Drive for success and workaholic tendencies. Callas was known for her relentless pursuit of success in the world of opera. She would often rehearse for hours on end and talked about striving for perfection in her performances.
Image-consciousness. Callas was very conscious of her image, both on and off the stage. At one point, she underwent a significant transformation in her appearance, losing a considerable amount of weight and cultivating a glamorous persona.
Competitive nature and focus on results. In interviews, Callas spoke about the need to get angry at people in order to get results.
Adeptness at thinking on her feet. In interviews, she showed a great ability to think quickly in order to craft answers that would make her look good and often employed the strategy of firing back questions to the interviewers if she didn’t want to answer the question.
Neglecting personal relationships. Callas's commitment to her career and pursuit of success often led her to overlook her personal relationships. For example, her marriage to Giovanni Battista Meneghini, an older Italian industrialist, suffered due to her career focus.
The consummate diva. There were widespread rumors and media reports about Callas' alleged tantrums, extreme demands, and disagreements, which tarnished her image. She was known for her perfectionism and demanding nature, which sometimes led to conflicts with colleagues and earned her the nickname "La Divina" (The Divine One) (this is also indicative of her 4 Wing).
Maria Callas quotes that show she is a Type 3
"Success is a great deodorant. It takes away all your past smells."
"When my enemies stop hissing, I shall know I'm slipping."
"Don't talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay I make the goddamn rules."
"I would like to be Maria, but there is La Callas who demands that I carry myself with her dignity."
"An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house" (this is indicative of her 4 Wing).
"I prepare myself for rehearsals like I would for marriage."
"You are born an artist or you are not. And you stay an artist, dear, even if your voice is less of a fireworks. The artist is always there" (this is indicative of her 4 Wing).
"That is the difference between good teachers and great teachers. good teachers make the best of a pupil's means; great teachers foresee a pupil's ends."