prof. Paul Wink, Wellesley College

Maria Callas, the most celebrated soprano of the twentieth century, died in despair at the age of 53. Misalignment between ambition and ideals, bifurcated self-esteem, perfectionism and envy contributed to her early demise but also to her unprecedented operatic success.

Dr. Paul Wink is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Wellesley College, Massachusetts. His research focuses on psychological adult development and narcissism. His psychobiography Prima Donna: The psychology of Maria Callas was published by Oxford University Press, in
2021.