Mata Hari Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Mata Hari (August 7, 1876–October 15, 1917) was the stage name of Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (spelled Margarete Gertrude Zelle in English), a Dutch exotic dancer who was accused, convicted and executed as a spy during World War I.
Mata Hari was born in Leeuwarden as a daughter to a Dutch businessman, while her mother was of Javanesenese descent. Around the turn of the 20th century, after a failed attempt to become a teacher, a failed marriage, and two children, she moved to Paris. She posed as a princess from Java and became an exotic dancer, performing "Oriental-style" dances. Her stage name Mata Hari means "sun" or "eye of the dawn" in Malayan and Bahasa Indonesia. She was also a courtesan who may have had affairs with many military officers and politicians.
Ms. Zelle slipped into innumerable French and German beds, and became a pawn in international intrigue, although historians have never clarified the exact nature of Mata Hari's spying activities. In 1917 she was put on trial in France, accused of spying, as a double agent, for Germany and France and causing the deaths of thousands of soldiers in World War I. She was found guilty and executed by firing squad on October 15, 1917. Rumor has it that during the execution, the squad members had to be blindfolded so as not to succumb to her charms. Another rumor claims she blew a kiss to her killers before the firing began.
"Harlot, yes. But traitoress? Never!" —attributed to Mata Hari, on trial.
External links
Matahari is also the name of a supermarket/department store chain in Indonesia. Matahari is operated by PT. Matahari Putra Prima, Tbk. (JSX: MPPA), a publicly-traded company. Matahari's logo resembles the shape of a sun (which is probably why the store is called Matahari: the Indonesian word for "sun" is "matahari"). (website)
This is an Article on Mata Hari. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Mata Hari