The Countess (portrayed by Lady Gaga), born Elizabeth Johnson, is the enigmatic, bloodsucking, malevolent owner who resides in the penthouse of the Hotel Cortez. Born Elizabeth Johnson in 1904, she was an actress who was featured in Rudolph Valentino 's movie and was later invited to dinner at his house. That night, she met his wife Natacha Rambova who indicates that their divorce was just a "show '' to get publicity. Later on, she had a secret love triangle with Rudolph and Natacha for many years up until when she was at a cocktail party celebrating the opening of the Hotel Cortez and after hearing about Valentino 's death in New York, she plans to jump out a window but she is saved by James March who she later marries but however, does n't profess her love for him. Even though she was married, she often visited Valentino 's coffin once a year but encountered a very much alive Valentino and his wife who state that they are infected with a blood virus that saved them from death and turn Elizabeth so she can spend eternity with her one true loves while her disappointed husband watches from afar. After hearing about her secret love with the Valentinos, James gets his revenge by trapping the couple in the sealed hallways of the hotel damaging her relationship with Natacha who believes that Elizabeth trapped her and causing Elizabeth to hate March. In 1994, she turned Donovan, who was dying of a heroin overdose by Sally who was shoved out the window before and since then, she has been his fiancée and paramour but after meeting Tristan Duffy, she dumps him after twenty years of marriage. She also has a relationship with newcomer Will Drake who she marries but then plans to kill him and steal his fortunes. In the 70s, she had a relationship with Ramona Royale which lasted up until the 90s when Elizabeth shot Ramona 's boyfriend, Prophet Moses in revenge. She is obsessed with fashion and hates betrayal especially infidelity which she kills Tristan after he professes his love for Liz Taylor. In spite of her hatred of betrayal, she herself will indulge in as many lovers as she wishes. She then gets back with Donovan but he is crushed after she professes her love for Valentino. She reunites with Donovan after he kills Rudolph however Liz and Iris enter shooting guns at the couple before Donovan jumps in front of Elizabeth and is shot before dying outside the Cortez while Elizabeth is injured. She is helped by Sally who vows to never leaving her. Ramona confronts her but while she attempts to enter the elevator, John appears and shoots her five times before she succumbs to her wounds and dies. Her head is placed on "Thou Shall Not Commit Murder '' but she resurrects as a ghost and spends eternity with her husband James who thanks her for turning him in to the police and forgives her however Ms. Evers stops and confesses that she turned Mr. March in. After realizing what has happened, she begins to cry while realizing that she 's living a personal nightmare; spending the rest of her life with the person she does n't love. She appears when Liz announces her battle with prostate cancer and slits Liz 's throat using her chainmail glove. In the last moments, Elizabeth is at the bar during 2: 25 and meets a guest who says he 's awaiting some friends. She then says the final lines "You have a jawline for days '' before the episode ends, having found herself a new lover in Donovan 's image. For her performance, Gaga won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film and was nominated for the People 's Choice Award for Favorite Sci - Fi / Fantasy TV Actress, the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best TV Actress, and the Satellite Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama.
who is the countess in american horror story
Lady Gaga