Lillie Langtry | |
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Portrait of Langtry by Frank Miles
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Born |
Emilie Charlotte Le Breton October 13, 1853 Jersey |
Died | February 12, 1929 Monte Carlo |
(aged 75)
Occupation | Actress |
Spouse(s) |
Edward Langtry (m. 1874; div. 1897) Sir Hugo Gerald de Bathe (m. 1899; her death 1929) |
Children | Jeanne, Lady Malcolm (1881–1964) |
Parent(s) | William Corbet Le Breton Emilie Davis Martin |
Lillie Langtry (usually spelled Lily Langtry in the United States), born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton (October 13, 1853 – February 12, 1929), was celebrated as a young woman of beauty and charm, who later established a reputation as an actress and producer. Her looks and personality attracted interest, commentary, and invitations from artists and society hostesses.
By 1881, she had become an actress and starred in many plays, including She Stoops to Conquer, The Lady of Lyons, and As You Like It, eventually running her own stage production company. In later life she performed "dramatic sketches" in vaudeville. She was also known for her relationships with noblemen, including the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Shrewsbury, and Prince Louis of Battenberg. She was the subject of widespread public and media interest.
Born in 1853, Emilie Charlotte Le Breton, known as Lillie from childhood, was the daughter of the Very Rev. William Corbet Le Breton and his wife, a recognised beauty, Emilie Davis (née Martin). Lillie's parents had eloped to Gretna Green and, in 1842, married at Chelsea. Emilie Charlotte (Lillie) was born at the Old Rectory, St Saviour in Jersey where her father was Rector and Dean of Jersey.
Lillie, was the sixth of seven children and the only girl. Her brothers were Francis Corbet Le Breton (1843–1872), William Inglis Le Breton (1846–1931), Trevor Alexander Le Breton (1847–1870), Maurice Vavasour Le Breton (1849–1881), Clement Martin Le Breton (10 January 1851–1 July 1927), and Reginald Le Breton (1855–1876). When Lillie died, William was her last surviving brother. Purportedly, one of their ancestors was Richard le Breton, allegedly one of the assassins in 1170 of Thomas Becket.