Mexican-born artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) came to art literally by accident. Involved in a major car crash at 18, her father (also an artist) gave her art materials to help her convalesce. Her personal life was not without drama and her marriages were punctuated with affairs with both sexes, including one with Trotsky. (Told you about the drama!). Real fame for Kahlo occurred after her death, primarily  because of the re-evaluation of and quality of her work and the continued fascination with her personal life. Salma Heyek played her in the award-laden (including two Oscars) 2002 drama, Frida.