Mata Hari

Mata Hari, who was born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in the Netherlands, is a classic example of a charming female spy. Mata Hari relocated to Paris in 1905 following a failing marriage to an Army officer who was more than 20 years her senior. She here became a French diplomat's mistress. While visiting Malaysia with her ex-husband, Margaretha picked up a basic understanding of Indian and Javanese dances and started earning a career by performing exotic dances. She created her stage moniker, "Mata Hari", which in local Indonesian means "eye of the day," to complete her spectacular metamorphosis from military wife to the siren of the East.

As soon as Mata Hari became well-known, dance halls and opera theaters were full. Politicians and senior military figures from numerous nations were among her admirers. Georges Ladoux, the commander of the French military intelligence during World War I, made Mata Hari a tempting offer to spy for France in 1916 as she was getting close to 40 years old. She intended to gain access to the German high command through deception using her contacts. She was identified as a German spy in the intercepted German communiqués by the French, however, the specifics of her espionage actions are still unknown. She was identified as a double agent as a result and was captured in February 1917. Her military trial was rife with bias and circumstantial evidence, and she was charged with disclosing the new tank-carrying weapon developed by the Allies. Mata Hari was found to be responsible. On October 15, 1917, she was shot by the firing squad. Just before she died, she blew the soldiers a kiss and refused to wear the blindfold.

Lifespan: August 7, 1876 – October 15, 1917

Nation: Netherlands