ACTRESS Cate Blanchett was born in Melbourne, Australia on May 14, 1969.

She studied at the National Theatre of Dramatic Art in Sydney before her first stage role in Oleanna in 1993.

Her film debut came in Paradise Road, but her first lead role was in 1998's Elizabeth, for which she was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar.

She won a Best Supporting Oscar for her part in The Aviator after winning a BAFTA for The Talented Mr Ripley.

Last year she starred in Notes on a Scandal, with Judi Dench. She is married to playwright and screenwriter Andrew Upton.

1 - You can't please everyone. But hopefully you will surprise people.

2 - Don't be afraid to take on huge challenges. I think it is important to override one's natural self-consciousness and embrace the absolute right to fail and not to be afraid to take on huge challenges.

3 - Life is so precious - value it. I was only 10 when my father died. He was only 40. He was a wonderful man - full of adventure. His death made me seee how precious life is.

4 - Value friendships. My friendships with people are very rich and deep, and I am very protective of my friendships.

5 - Set your limits high. It is so depressing to work on things you don't believe in. And I love strange choices. I'm always interested in people who depart from what's expected of them and go into newterritory.

6 - Don't be afraid to try something new. I have always made choices on the challenge that something gives me. I don't like doing something I did the day before. I like to try things out, things that may or may not work.

7 - If you know you are going to fail, fail gloriously!

8 - Don't worry about the future. I'm not particularly interested in knowing the future. I'd rather let life unfold. I'm not interested in controlling my environment.

9 - Don't go overboard about the way you look. Actresses can get outrageously precious about how they look. but that's not what life's about. If you starve yourself to the point your brain cells shrivel, you'll never do good work.

10 - Marriage is all about timing. Getting married is insanity. Who knows if you're going to be together forever? You both say, We take this chance, in the same spirit'.