Mata Hari's Legacy

The Seductive Spy: Dance, Deceit, Betrayal and the Shrouded Secrets of World War I There has never been a more iconic female spy than Mata Hari, who personified the mystery and intrigue of espionage. The dancer-turned-WWI spy Mata Hari allegedly enticed diplomats and military officers into divulging their secrets; she made the decision to pursue sexuality at a young age as she believed it was her ticket to a luxurious life . At the turn of the twentieth century, Mata Hari became famous for her culturally unique and provocative dances. She was in relationships with famous people, performed in European capitals and had everything she ever wanted. Mata Hari was accused to have been a German intelligence agent during World War I after secretly agreeing to spy exclusively for France. In 1917, she was taken into custody in France, betrayed by the same man she was working for who accused her of being a double agent and later prosecuted and found guilty on espionage charges. On October 15, 1917, she was put to death by firing squad when the French government discovered her supposed double agent status. Although many people see Mata Hari as a victim because of her work as a dancer and courtesan and the French desire to find someone to blame, she is nevertheless one of the most beautiful people to emerge from the dark world of espionage and the classic example of a female spy. Unfortunatly, the truth about her guilt or innocence about the charges against her may never come to light.