 It was rumoured that she had expected to play the role of Lulu in Renoir's sound film "La Chienne" and felt betrayed when the film's producers insisted on, and Renoir agreed to, another actress (Janie Marèse) in the role.Following the couple's separation (the divorce was not finalised until 1943), Hessling appeared in minor roles in three sound films and had a brief career as a dancer before abandoning show business completely.She lived the rest of her life out of the public eye.