The first celebrity who was “famous for being famous” – Budapest-born Hungarian actress Zsa Zsa Gabor – died on Sunday of a heart attack in her Los Angeles home at age 99. Even though the Hollywood legend’s filmography may be less than extraordinary, Zsa Zsa Gabor was a trailblazer as a tabloid superstar whose multiple marriages, extravagant lifestyle, and unabashed bon mots constantly earned her global fame and attention for more than half a century. In tribute to this remarkable Magyar luminary, we take a look back at Zsa Zsa Gabor’s glamorous Budapest roots.

Born in Hungary’s capital in 1917 as Sári Gábor, both her father Vilmos and mother Jolie were also Budapest natives; during the 1930s, Jolie opened a costume-jewelry shop at 4 Kígyó utca in District V – just across the lane from the modern-day Buddha-Bar Hotel – and she eventually operated five such shops around the Magyar metropolis. At one point the Gábor family was doing so well that they lived in a sumptuous villa in District II on Pusztaszeri út (which is currently for sale for almost 170 million forints). Meanwhile, the stunningly beautiful Zsa Zsa was crowned as Miss Hungary in 1936, and by this time she had already begun her performing career in the operetta theater in Vienna. However, with the onset of World War II, the Jewish Gábor family was forced to flee Hungary for Portugal in 1944, thanks to heroic Budapest-based Portuguese ambassador Carlos Sampaio Garrido – who was rumored to be carrying on an affair with Zsa Zsa’s older sister, Magda.

After arriving in the United States, Zsa Zsa Gabor was immediately in demand for her graceful European style and seductive Hungarian accent that she proudly spoke with throughout her entire career, which included starring roles in major Hollywood movies like Moulin Rouge and Touch of Evil. Zsa Zsa Gabor starred in plenty of not-so-major movies as well, but by the 1960s she was more famous for her jet-setting lifestyle, diamond-studded wardrobe, and penchant for wealthy husbands; she was married nine times to men as diverse as American hotelier Conrad Hilton, British actor George Sanders, and Barbie-doll designer Jack Ryan.

While Zsa Zsa Gabor may not have been the most accomplished actress in film history, her intriguing glamor and outspoken attitude (“A girl must marry for love, and keep on marrying until she finds it” was just one of many tongue-in-cheek quotes that she is famous for) made her a household name to this day, and paved the way for future celebrities who are primarily famous for being famous, such as Kim Kardashian, Anna Nicole Smith, and, ironically, Paris Hilton – the great-granddaughter of Zsa Zsa’s ex. For living her life to the fullest no matter what she did, we praise Budapest native Zsa Zsa Gabor, and wish you a sparkling journey into the hereafter, dah-ling.