Divine

Birth Name: Harris Glenn Milstead

Date of Birth: October 19, 1945

Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

Date of Death: March 7, 1988

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*English (father)
*Serbian (mother)

Divine was an American actor, singer, and drag queen. He was known for his work with John Waters. His roles included Mondo Trasho, Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Polyester, Hairspray (1988), all Waters films, as well as Lust in the Dust and Trouble in Mind.

Divine was the son of Frances Diana (Vukovich) and Harris Bernard Milstead, who both worked for the Black & Decker factory in Towson. His maternal grandparents were ethnic Serbs, of the Orthodox religion, who moved in 1891 from Zagreb, Croatia to the U.S. His family had become affluent, and eventually moved to Lutherville, Maryland.

Divine’s paternal grandfather was Benoni Milstead (the son of Bernard Greer Milstead and Margaret LeEllen “Lady” Leland). Benoni was born in Washington, D.C. Bernard was the son of Henry Augustine Milstead and Elizabeth Makala Groves. Margaret was the daughter of Luther L. Leland and Margaret Jane Dent.

Divine’s paternal grandmother was Eva Grace Skinner (the daughter of William Louis/Lewis Skinner and Jane Elizabeth “Jannie” Posey). Eva was born in Maryland. Divine’s great-grandmother Jane was the daughter of Thomas M. Posey and Sara Caeoline Rison.

Divine’s maternal grandfather was named Novak Wukovich/Vukovich. Novak was born in Zagreb.

Divine’s maternal grandmother was named Catherine.

Sources: Genealogy of Divine – https://www.findagrave.com

Genealogy of Divine (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com