Lillie Langtry

Lillie Langtry
Portrait of Langtry by Frank Miles
Born	Emilie Charlotte Le Breton (1853-10-13)October 13, 1853 Jersey
Died	February 12, 1929(1929-02-12) (aged 75) Monte Carlo
Occupation	Actress
Spouse(s)	Edward Langtry (1874-1897; divorced) Sir Hugo Gerald de Bathe (1899-1929; her death)
Children	Jeanne, Lady Malcolm (1881-1964)

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 as Emilie Charlotte Le Breton, Langtry was the only daughter of Rev. William Corbet Le Breton and his wife Emilie Davis (née Martin), who was known for her beauty. They eloped to Gretna Green and, in 1842, married at Chelsea. Emilie Charlotte was born in the rectory of St Saviour's Parish Church in Jersey where her father was Rector and Dean of Jersey.

Emilie, the daughter, was the sixth of seven children and the only female child. Her brothers were Francis Corbet Le Breton (1843-72), William Inglis Le Breton (1846–1931), Trevor Alexander Le Breton (1847-70), Maurice Vavasour Le Breton (1849–1881), Clement Martin Le Breton (10 January 1851–1 July 1927), and Reginald Le Breton (1855-76). When she 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.