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by: Yolanda Shoshana
Courtesans were women who dared to live a life packed with pleasure and did not apologize for it. If ever there was a courtesan that was known for being a pleasure seeking yet scandalous woman it was Cora Pearl.
Cora Pearl was born Emma Elizabeth Crouch in 1835. It is unclear whether or not her stepfather seduced her as she stated or if he molested her. Whatever the true story is, once she lost her virginity it was then that she turned to prostitution, because she could not go home. There are several wealthy men who became interested in her. Due to her having courtesan virtues such as intelligence, wit, talent, charm and discretion she moved from the streets into the courtesan lifestyle.
It was while she was in Paris, that she adopted the name Cora Pearl and took to the stage to become an actress. She was not that great of an actress, but she had sex appeal which made her a hit with the men. They also loved her for the fact that she was daring. Known for dying her hair red and blond, she also dyed her dog’s hair to match her outfits.
By the 1860′s Pearl became of the most famous courtesans. Some of her lovers included: The Duke of Rivoli, Duke of Morny, and Prince Willem of Orange. She was not only famous in Europe, but in the United States. Her wealth included several houses, jewels, artwork, horses and stables. She was so extravagant that she would bathe in a silver tub of champagne.
Pearl lived a luscious life until her downfall caused by man named Alexandre Duval, who had been her suitor. Duval shoot himself in the foot attempting to get into Pearl’s house. Not realizing that he was injured, Pearl ignored him and left him outside. The news spread like a wildfire that she had injured Duval, which was not true. This rumor caused her theater career to come to a halt and she was asked to leave France. She left for a period of time for London, but the rumor followed her there. The wealthy men did not want anything to do with Pearl, therefore after a period of time she returned to Paris. When she returned she found that her admirers were all gone.
It was her bad gambling habit that put her in financial trouble. With no sexy suitors to bail her out and give her money, she quickly had to sell her possessions to survive. She sold off her mansion, lavish jewels, horses, and artwork.
Her last days were spent living in a boarding house. Some of her last thoughts recorded in her memoirs were” I have had a happy life. I have squandered money enormously. I ought to have saved; but saving is not easy in such a whirl of excitement as that in which I have lived”.
In 1886 Cora Pearl died from intestinal cancer. Only a handful of people went to her funeral, though the announcement was made in thorough out Europe. She was buried in Batignolles cemetery with no tombstone.
What women can learn from Pearl is to live large, have fun, and save money. The Prince on the white horse may come, but he may ride off when times get hard, a woman has be able to do for herself.
Yolanda Shoshana “Shoshi” is a lifestyle provocateur who makes people think about their lifestyle and take action to live a luscious life. Follow her on Twitter @Shoshi
Tags: Alexandre Duval, cora pearl, courtesan, Emma Elizabeth Crouch, London, modern courtesan, paris, Prince Willem of Orange, The Duke of Rivoli
