Emma was born in 1761, with the birth name Amy Lyon. She was the daughter of a blacksmith but she rose through several high profile relationships to become one of the most well known British women in the world, the most famous of which was her relationship with...
Nell Gwyn (1650-1687) was an English actress and the most famous mistress of Charles II. She embodied the spirit of the restoration period in England. She came from very humble beginnings: there are rumours her father died in a debtors prison when she was...
Mata Hari was born Margaretha Zelle in Leeuwarden, Netherlands in 1876. She was the eldest of four children to Adam Zelle and Ante van der Meulan. Her father was successful in his business ventures, including a hat shop and oil investments....
Wu Hou, born as Wu Zhao, came from a minor aristocratic family in China. She became the first woman to hold the title of Emperor of China, and her extraordinary story starts with her becoming the concubine of Emperor Taizong, of the Tang dynasty. She was selected at...
Phryne (c.371BCE Р?) was an ancient Greek courtesan from 4the century BC. She was nicknamed ‘Phryne’ Рthe Greek word for toad Рdue to her yellow complexion. Despite this she was considered very beautiful; not...
