I am Donaire Miller. I am Jewish. I came from an extremely wealthy family, my father was a multi-millionaire. We owned plantations in Brazil, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. In 1940, my father said, “Donaire, what do you want to do?” I was scared to death to go to College because of the examinations. I can study anything--I used to speak ten languages--but I hate examinations.
Where were you living?
At that time we were living in Canada. So my Father said, “Donaire, you have to learn to do your hair. You have to learn to do beautiful clothes so you will be the best dressed person in Canada.” I said, “Ok, I will go to beauty school and learn how to do my hair.” So I went to beauty school and graduated--but the beauty school never taught me how to do my hair.
I love to create beauty. I went to England, then to Italy and learned all that the Italians know about beauty. I learned it and learned the language. Then, I went to Monsieur Antoine in Paris. Monsieur Antoine taught me everything he knew and was the best teacher I ever had. He said, “Donaire, remember you must know what Donaire wants to do. Do you want to do hair, or do you want to work in an office and be a lawyer, or a doctor?” I said, “No, I don’t want to work, I just want to do hair. I love to make an ugly woman beautiful.” I went on to become an excellent beautician. I was one of the top beauticians in Europe.
The, I moved to the Canal Zone. I was famous with all the military. We did the hair for all the Americans. I had nine beauty shops and I took care of only the high ranking military people. That’s where I was introduced to some of the big generals. They told me to register with the White House. That’s why I do Mrs. Bush’ hair--they know me.
I wasn’t thinking about the money. I eat everyday even if it’s a little sandwich. But the biggest pleasure I have in life is to make a woman beautiful. You can only become successful if you like what you are doing because you will do your best. I love to do people’s hair. It’s not because it pays me big money or because I get to cut hair for the President’s wife. It’s because I love to make that woman beautiful. When I first met Mrs. Bush, I said, “Mrs. Bush, that cut has to go. I’m going to cut your hair and make you beautiful.” “Oh, no Donaire, this is how the people know me,” said Mrs. Bush. I said, “Never mind, I will take care of that.”
You see, I know my job, and I’m the boss here. Don’t ask me how to boil water, because I will burn it. I have never learned to cook, but I know how to cut hair. You need to enj |
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