Mata Hari

Date of Birth: August 7, 1876

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: October 15, 1917

Biography

Mata Hari, born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle on August 7, 1876, in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, was a renowned Dutch dancer and courtesan who gained fame for her exotic dances and was later executed by firing squad for espionage during World War I. After a troubled childhood and an early marriage to a Dutch colonial officer that ended in tragedy and divorce, she reinvented herself in Paris as a dancer, adopting the stage name Mata Hari, which means “Eye of the Day” in Malay. She captivated audiences with her sensual and provocative performances, claiming to be a Javanese princess trained in sacred Hindu dances. Her fame, however, was overshadowed by accusations of espionage for both Germany and France during the Great War. Arrested by the French authorities in 1917, she was found guilty of being a double agent and executed on October 15, 1917. Mata Hari’s life remains a subject of fascination and controversy, symbolizing the danger and allure of espionage and the complexities of identity and performance.

5 Interesting Facts about Mata Hari

1. Mata Hari was fluent in several languages, including Dutch, English, French, and German.

2. She initially moved to Paris to pursue a career as an artist’s model before turning to dance.

3. Mata Hari’s performances were characterized by their sensuousness and the elaborate, exotic costumes she wore.

4. She was known to have had numerous lovers among high-ranking military officers and politicians, which contributed to her espionage allegations.

5. Despite her conviction, some historians believe Mata Hari was used as a scapegoat and that the evidence against her was insufficient.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mata Hari

1. “I am a woman who enjoys herself very much; sometimes I lose, sometimes I win.”

2. “The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word.”

3. “I never could dance well; people came to see me because I was the first who dared to show myself naked to the public.”

4. “I am ready.”

5. “I have always lived for love and pleasure.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her fame, Mata Hari’s net worth was estimated to be equivalent to several million dollars in today’s currency, primarily from her performances and the gifts she received from her wealthy lovers.

Children

Mata Hari had two children with her husband, Rudolf MacLeod: a son named Norman-John MacLeod, who tragically died at a young age, and a daughter named Jeanne Louise MacLeod.