20 Things You Didn't Know About Frida Kahlo

These are fascinating facts that you didn't know about Frida Kahlo's life and art career.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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With her iconic uni-brow, faint mustache, artist husband, and striking self-portraits, Frida Kahlo is easily one of the most recognizable, important artists of all time. Especially in the years after her death, Kahlo remains an inspiration for artists and women everywhere, whether it be Madonna or newer artists like FKA Twigs.

Unfortunately, her reputation as a tortured artist has occasionally overshadowed the revolutionary, gender-defying nature of her work. In attempt to better understand the Mexican painter and to celebrate "Unbound: Contemporary Art After Frida Kahlo" opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago today, here are 20 Things You Didn't Know About Frida Kahlo.

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She lied about her birth date.

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She groomed her brows with special tools.

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Her dad was of German Protestant descent.

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Her right leg was skinnier than her left. She hid this by wearing long skirts.

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She was in a terrible, life-altering car accident that left her bedridden for months.

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The artist gave away her self-portraits as gifts.

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Kahlo was surrounded by mirrors all her life.

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She first approached her would-be husband Diego Rivera, asking him what he thought of her art.

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Kahlo and Rivera were active communists.

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Kahlo's relationship with Rivera was kind of scandalous.

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Kahlo had affairs with both men and women.

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Rivera cheated on Kahlo with her younger sister Cristina.

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Kahlo's husband was apparently not the best looking dude.

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Kahlo was never able to have kids.

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Though her story is tragic, there are people who believe Kahlo exaggerated her physical agonies and medical conditions.

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Kahlo had her leg amputated after contracting gangrene.

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When she died, no autopsy was ever conducted.

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Kahlo had only one major solo exhibition in the United States during her lifetime.

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Kahlo is on the 500 Peso bill.

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She is the first Hispanic woman to be featured on a US postal stamp.

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