The Most Ravishing Women of All Time: 3 – Mata Hari

The Onset of Rage and Her Role in it All

In the lead up to the Great War of 1914, many imitators arose who wanted to be just like Mata Hari. Critics penned nasty words against her, “She couldn’t dance,” calling her, “evil,” and other terms too sensitive to write here. But, Mata Hari had had a hell of a ride in life and so was more determined to have unbridled fun. Being from Holland, which was a neutral nation during World War I, she could travel freely across Europe. Remember, too, she was bedding officers, kings and men at the top, so she became privy to secrets that were to change events in the great conflict sweeping Europe.

Lying, Lying Spy

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Rich, beautiful, free to travel and privy to the men at the top. Was she a spy? Of course, no spy would or could admit that. Actually, she was just in the right places at the right time and a beautiful and intelligent woman. And famous. So tongues wagged, rumours spread and whispers filled the walls of the salons and halls of Europe now at War. Luxury amidst rations, beauty amidst ugliness and happiness in all the sorrow set Mata Hari up as a target of lies, truth and heresy that was to lead to her ultimate downfall.

Bang, Bang You’re Dead

Finally, it was 1917. The Great War was over. 20 million lay dead with Europe in tatters. Those events were not to play themselves out fully for another twenty years. Mata Hari was arrested in her rooms in Paris put on trial as a spy. The verdict, “Guilty to be executed by firing squad at dawn.” Her enemies spat, “It is thanks to her 50 thousand French boys are dead!” Hatred now ravished her. Some dignity prevailed though – it was printed that her final words were, “Merci, Monsieur.” She was executed in a simple, smart grey tailored suit with white gloves greeting her end with a Mona Lisa smile. Mata Hari was THE scapegoat for a Europe ravaged by dread-conflict. The French Government found her case so inflammatory its’ papers were to be placed under lock and key for a century, to be opened to the public in 2017.

What Whispers Has Mata for Us Now

Mata Hari’s ravishing-life is vital for so many reasons:

• You can live an incredible destiny from even the most unassuming beginnings
• Be careful about re-inventing yourself
• Self expression, intrigue and fate can so overwhelm you that legal documents relating to your life can be locked away for a century.

More Ravishing Women of All Time

The Most Ravishing Women of All Time: 1 – Cleopatra

The Most Ravishing Women of All Time: 2 – Helen of Troy

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