The Legend of the Original Femme Fatale | True Life Spy Stories

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Mata Hari is a name that has for more than 100 years captured the public’s imagination. The woman behind the persona acquired her fame as an exotic dancer and courtesan living in Paris during the French Belle Époque.

Meaning “eye of dawn” in Javanese, Mata Hari would have had you believe that she was a Hindu princess born of a union between a Dutch adventurer and a Javanese temple dancer. As the story goes, she blossomed into a beautiful young lady and learned the sensuous and sacred temple dances from her mother. It was then her gift to bring these lithe routines to the Western world where she entertained, enthralled and seduced.

Yet, the character of Mata Hari was just that - an invention. According to biographer Pat Shipman, Mata Hari (real name Margaretha Zelle MacLeod) loved men, but she did not love the truth. Ultimately, the myth that she had created was turned against her as she faced a French firing squad. Convicted of being the most lethal and dangerous spy of World War 1 it was said that she was responsible for the death of 50,000 French soldiers.

Not surprisingly, the true story of Mata Hari, in so far as it can be ascertained, is far different from what both she and the French political elite of her day would have you believe.

This is the legend and the truth about Mata Hari, the naked spy.

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[PhilipThompson]

“Mata Hari never lacked for male admirers, even though she was nearing forty years old and even though she was in love with Vadime. From her perspective, she needed money and money meant lovers. From that of the officers she entertained, she was enchanting. An officer leaving the horrors of the battlefield and the dreadful responsibility of command to spend a few days or a week in Paris with Mata Hari entered a dream world.

The life expectancy of those fighting on the western front could be measured in weeks, not years, and they knew it. To enjoy the attentions of a beautiful woman who was fashionably dressed, to take her to fine restaurants, and to make love to her with passionate abandon were the surest escapes from the realities that haunted these men. No wonder so many sought her company and savoured every moment of it, knowing that the battlefield, that blood, death, and hardship, would be temporarily held at bay.”

- Pat Shipman, Femme Fatale

[JackGordone]

I watched and think you did an absolutely splendid job. I'm 78 years old, have heard her name my entire life but, other than knowing she had been executed as a spy, I knew nothing about her. Thanks to your video, that lacuna has now been filled. Thank you.

[jennymcgowin]

What a confusing, chaotic and terrifying life, but I think she had more courage in her pinky than the men she knew had in their whole body.

[therunt]

I didn't know she was a total failure as a spy, or that she got called the best just so they could use her as a scapegoat. At least her life wasn't boring and she did pretty well with what she had to work with.
Thank you for clearing up a lot of the myth surrounding her, great video!

[maymellor]

Another victim of war. Well told, thanks ❤

[noragoodwin]

Mata Hari literally means “Eye of the Day”, NOT eye of the dawn in Indonesian and Malay, NOT Javanese. Mata means eye; hari means day. The lexical meaning of the word “Matahari” (one word) is the sun in both Indonesian and Malay. And yes, I speak Indonesian and Javanese. ☀️

[sophiegeorge]

Thank god for the internet, we can find out so much more about people who intrigued us in history

[eyelandgal]

Despite her flaws, it's sad what they did to her.

[aphrabenn]

She was really beautiful in her own natural, peculiar way. Thanks for the many photos that accompany the story.

[jsmdllc]

This isn’t a sensational historical story, this is a tragedy in every sense of the word. This outlines the despicable nature of mankind one to another. This poor girl was mistreated in her youth by men, she was mistreated in her young adult life by men and most likely by women as well, she was horrifically used and abused by men during World War I And the French, that godless society, murdered her for their own war time advantage. This poor lady, mistreated by every man she ever met, deserved better. This is a tragedy, nothing more, nothing less.

[RD-nqfl]

I have read several books Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod, better known by the stage name Mata Hari and thought what a SAD story. She was abused by men at an early age and had a difficult marriage. She reinvented herself but as she got older her suitors started to dry up and she was just trying to survive. There was no evidence existed that she provided militarily useful information to anyone. She made bad choices and it caused her to be executed.

[GaryPritchard]

Yet another excellent video Philip. Well narrated and illustrated. I knew a bit about Mata Hari but this production was so informative. Keep it up. I hope it gets the number of views it deserves.

[deepthidunuwille]

I had only heard of the name Mata Hari. Thank you for the well authenticated video with names and dates and her tragic end.
I have been now been enlightened.
Thank you.

[galeocean]

This was so well done. What an intriguing life she led after her abysmal marriage.

[erniemajor]

This is pretty much a video version of the book by Pat Shipman (minus the sympathy). None of the military men who supposedly told her secret information are ever criticized. Mata Hari possessed an indefinable charisma which still goes unremarked. There was no shortage of women, or strippers, so how exactly did Mata Hari enchant half of Europe?

[michaelharrison]

These day's she'd have a blog and be known as an influencer 😅

[trod]

your channel deserves so many more subscribers. keep at it and I know for a fact your channel is gonna blow up

[Jenvlogs]

She had an iconic and unique style, her picture is famous forever, looks like a real goddess.

[sashamellon]

One day we will all be gone ……. At least she has a story even today.

[lajwantishahani]

Always been fascinated by stories about her espionage but feel sad about her end as you've revealed in this wonderful documentary. She wasn't even a proper spy unlike so many other brave women during both the wars!