With her iconic blonde curls and spunky personality, Shirley Temple will always be a Hollywood legend.

This week we remember the remarkable 85 years of the girl who brought back America’s smile.

Born April 23, 1928, Temple starred in her first film at the age of three. Her first major hit, “Bright Eyes,” featured her signature song “On the Good Ship Lollipop,” and launched her success with the 20th Century Fox studio.

Her popularity with Americans during the depression likely saved the studio from bankruptcy.

In 1935 Temple made history by dancing hand-in-hand with African-American entertainer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson in “The Little Colonel.” In her 1988 memoir “Child Star,” Temple referred to Robinson as her best friend in Hollywood.

Temple was also one of the earliest stars to turn her on-screen success into merchandising triumph. She had both top-selling dolls and clothing lines, and of course, that little pink “mocktail” we all know and love. To this day her films are still being advertised for sale as an iconic part of Hollywood’s history.

Temple’s early film success did not translate to her post-adolescent work.

She retired from the silver screen at the age of 21. Instead she focused on her role as wife and mother, and began a political career.

At 17, Temple married John Agar Jr., an Army Air Corps Sergeant. After four years of marriage, Temple and Agar divorced and in 1950, she married Charles Black.

Their marriage lasted almost 55 years, ending with his death in 2005.

In 1967, Temple began to chase her political aspirations and ran for Congress, but lost to Pet McCloskey. Then, in 1969, President Nixon appointed her to the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations.

From there she was appointed ambassador to Ghana by President Ford, and later served as ambassador to Czechoslovakia, where she was adored.

In 1972 Temple made headlines once again when she revealed her mastectomy during her battle with breast cancer and encouraged women everywhere to get regular checkups.

When asked about Temple’s work, senior Cate Monigan said, “I own all of her films! I used to watch the movies with my mom all the time because she swore I looked just like her when I was little.”

Senior Alyssa Peluso also remembered Temple’s work fondly.

“When I heard the news of Shirley Temple’s death I instantly wanted to call my Grandma Jean,” Peluso said. “When I was younger my grandma and I would watch Shirley Temple together in black and white while drinking tea and dunking cookies! Although her physical presence isn’t here, her childhood bright spirit will always be in my memories.”

Shirley Temple Black may have died on Feb. 10, but the spirit with which she entertained and served America will live on forever in our hearts.