Leni Riefenstahl (b. 1902, d. 2003) was a German film director, photographer, actress, and dancer. She grew up in Germany and found a love for art in her early life. She loved to paint, write poetry, dance, and act. She attended many dance academies and traveled all over Europe performing. Unfortunately, a series of knee injuries threatened her dance career. Riefenstahl then became interested in movie making and directing around the time of the rise of Hitler and the Nazi movement. Riefenstahl heard Hitler speak at a rally in 1932 and was captivated by his talent for public speaking. Hitler eventually came to notice Riefenstahl's work and was very impressed by her (especially because she fit his ideal of a perfect "Aryan woman"). Hitler asked her to direct several films for the Nazi party (NSDAP). Riefenstahl and Hitler had a good friendship, and she told a reporter, "To me, Hitler is the greatest man who ever lived. He truly is without fault, so simple and at the same time possessed of masculine strength". Hitler also invited Riefenstahl to film the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, and she did. She continued to make films until the 1950's and 60's, but was met with resistance and public backlash. She then became inspired to travel to Africa because of George Rodger's photography. Riefenstahl published two books containing her photographs from Africa. The Art Directors of Germany awarded Riefenstahl with the "Best Photographic Achievement" in 1975. Riefenstahl lived until she was 101, when she died of cancer in 2003.