What was the name of the woman in Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous V-J Day kiss photograph?
Answer
Greta Zimmer Friedman
Answer
Greta Zimmer Friedman
Greta Zimmer Friedman was the woman in Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous V-J Day kiss photograph.
Friedman was a dental assistant who was photographed in Times Square on 14 August 1945. She was wearing a light-colored uniform when a sailor grabbed and kissed her amid celebrations of Japan's surrender. The photograph was published by Life and became an enduring image of the war's end.
For many years, captions incorrectly described the woman as a nurse. Friedman later explained that she was not romantically involved with the sailor and that the moment was an exuberant public celebration. Her identification was supported by comparisons of clothing, posture, and contemporary accounts.
The picture should not be confused with Victor Jorgensen's similar photograph from the same event. It also should not be treated as a posed studio portrait: Eisenstaedt described seeing the spontaneous kiss while taking candid photographs in Times Square.
Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026