Cora Pearl - a courtesan who was "served" naked on a platter to guests

In the 1860s, the French capital became a city of free love. Emperor Napoleon III introduced the fashion for courtesans and many aristocrats and simply wealthy Parisians acquired kept women. These women were not ashamed of their position and boldly took everything from life. One of the most famous courtesans of the time was Cora Pearl. The most famous men of high society sought her favor. Pearl herself never tired of shocking society with her bold antics.

It was not difficult to gain the favor of a courtesan, but it was very expensive. These women were showered with expensive gifts and jewelry that cost a fortune. The ladies were not at all embarrassed by their position and shone in society, flaunting gifts and wasting other people’s money left and right.

Not only girls from poor families dreamed of leading such a life, but also daughters of quite prosperous parents. Among them was the Englishwoman Elizabeth Emma Crouch. Her father was the famous composer and teacher Frederick Crouch, a strict and highly moral man. He sent his daughter to study at a monastery school in France, away from temptation, but this did not help.

Having completed her studies, Emma decided to break away from the boring life of a decent girl. She wanted wealth, fame and male attention. After returning home, she took up prostitution and served rich and noble clients. After some time, Elizabeth managed to find a rich, but middle-aged patron. This was the owner of a variety show who spared no expense on his young mistress.

The relationship lasted six years until the rich man’s death. During this time, Elizabeth Crouch managed to make some savings, which helped her move to Paris. There she took the name Cora Perl, which translates as “incomparable pearl.” In the capital of France, the girl was not at a loss and quickly found a wealthy gentleman. He became the 25-year-old grandson of Marshal Victor Massen.

Unlike his famous grandfather, Victor did not stand out in anything special. But he tirelessly squandered his money, sparing nothing for his mistress. Soon Cora Pearl became the owner of an impressive collection of jewelry and several mansions. She was often seen in Parisian casinos, where the woman lost large sums of money without regret.

And one day Victor Massen gave his passion an expensive horse, thereby marking the beginning of Cora’s new hobby. From that moment on, the courtesan acquired a stable. Every year she bought up to 10 new horses, which she treated, as evil tongues said, better than people.

Cora Pearl loved being the center of attention. Therefore, she tirelessly experimented with her appearance. The woman dyed her hair different colors, wore bright makeup, used false eyelashes and skin creams with mother-of-pearl, which gave her face a glow. Around Cora's neck there was a chain on which were strung 2 medallions with 12 family coats of arms. They symbolized aristocrats who became victims of the courtesan's charms.

Cora Pearl's most extravagant outing was a reception she gave in 1864 at a castle she rented in the Loire Valley. The courtesan announced to the guests that they would bring meat to the table, which none of them would be able to taste. Soon Cora herself was brought in on a huge silver tray. She was completely naked and only sprinkled with parsley.

Cora Pearl had a passion for diamonds and adorned everything she could with them. In 1867, she decided to try herself as a theater actress. She performed the role of Cupid in Offenbach's opera Orpheus in Hell, popular at the time. The courtesan took to the stage wearing shoes completely covered with precious stones. When she raised her foot, viewers saw that even the sole was strewn with diamonds.

But over time, Cora Pearl's beauty began to fade. In the second half of the 1870s, its popularity gradually faded. The woman still had enough fans, but society looked at her novels completely differently. When one of her rejected admirers tried to take his own life, Pearl was called a “vicious wench” in the press. The authorities of Paris, tired of her antics, made every effort to get the courtesan out of the country.

For a while Cora Pearl disappeared from view. But soon she appeared in Paris again, although she took much less for her services. Gradually, the brilliant lady turned from a star and playmaker into an ordinary prostitute. Cora Pearl died in 1886 from intestinal cancer in poverty and loneliness. Thus, the star of the brilliant courtesan, about whom thousands of men dreamed, quietly set.