Mata Hari

Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod (née Zelle; 7 August 1876 – 15 October 1917), better known by the stage name Mata Hari (/ˈmɑːtə ˈhɑːri/), was a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who was convicted of being a spy for Germany during World War I. She was executed by firing squad in France.[1] The idea of a beautiful exotic dancer using her powers of seduction as a spy made her name synonymous with the femme fatale. Her story has served as an inspiration for many books, films, and other works.

Mata Hari was a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who gained notoriety during World War I as a spy for Germany. Born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in 1876, she adopted the stage name Mata Hari, which means "eye of the day" in Malay. She became a successful dancer and performer in Paris, where she captivated audiences with her sensuality and exoticism. However, she also had numerous affairs with high-ranking military officials and politicians, which made her a target for suspicion.

In 1916, Mata Hari was arrested by the French authorities and charged with espionage. She was accused of passing information to the German military, although the evidence against her was largely circumstantial. Despite her protests of innocence, she was found guilty and executed by firing squad in October 1917. Mata Hari's life and death have been the subject of numerous books, films, and other works of art. She has been portrayed as both a victim of a patriarchal society and a cunning and manipulative spy, and her story continues to fascinate people to this day.

It has been said that she was convicted and condemned because the French Army needed a scapegoat,[2][3] and that the files used to secure her conviction contained several falsifications.[4] Some have even stated that Mata Hari could not have been a spy and was innocent.[5]

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mata_Hari