inviselebrity 

A celebrity who - regardless of what achievements elevated him/her to celebrity status in the first place - these days is principally known not for said achievements, but rather for his/her subsequent disappearance from the the public eye. This event may have occured through choice (see: recluse) or courtesy of unaccountable circumstance (see: Lord Lucan). Either way, the disappearance act imbues the inviselebrity with a certain mythical glow, which, paradoxically, serves to enhance his/her (possibly unwanted) fame, often beyond the grave.

Amelia Earhart can arguably be considered the Godmother of all inviselebrities.

Thanks to JD Salinger's enduring inviselebrity status, more than 100 000 copies of The Catcher In The Rye are still sold every year.

inviselebrity by bikeridetothemoon May 26, 2014