50 Fascinating Photos of La Belle Otero, a Beautiful Spanish Artist Who Conquered the World at the Turn of the Century ~ Vintage Everyday

Otero grew up in poverty and modest living in Spain. She left home at a young age and began working as a dancer and singer, which eventually led her to Paris, where she quickly became famous. Paris was the epicenter of culture, art, and high society at the time, and Otero’s beauty and talent made her a star. Her performances at venues like the Folies Bergère further cemented her status as a star.

As a courtesan, Otero was known for her many affairs with influential men, including kings such as Edward VII of the United Kingdom, King Leopold II of Belgium, and even Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Her relationships were not only romantic but also strategic, which allowed her to amass considerable wealth and power. Otero was famous for her extravagant lifestyle, often seen adorned in luxurious clothing and expensive jewelry. She became a symbol of the Belle Époque, an era marked by cultural flourishing and opulence.

By the outbreak of World War I, the world had changed and the lifestyle that had made Otero famous was beginning to fade. She withdrew from public life and lived out the rest of her years in relative obscurity. Despite her wealth, Otero squandered much of her fortune and died in 1965, living in modest circumstances in Nice, France.

Otero’s life is often seen as a reflection of the Belle Époque itself: glamorous, extravagant, and ultimately ephemeral. She remains a fascinating figure, embodying the allure and decline of the world of courtesans in European high society. Her story has inspired numerous books, films, and even operas, cementing her legacy as one of the most famous courtesans in history.