The Crazy Real-Life Story Of Mata Hari

By the time World War I began in 1914, Hari's career was in decline. As the saying goes, imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and by 1910, younger, more beautiful, more skilled imitators had all but run Hari off the stage. She performed her last show in 1915, according to History Extra.

Hari, however, was still beautiful, still very well-known, and still had a knack for attracting male attention. She became a courtesan, taking on a series of rich and powerful lovers. Her sexual conquests included high ranking military officers, influential politicians, and even royalty, per the New York Times.

At first, Hari was largely unaffected by the war. While others were suffering food and coal shortages, Hari's lifestyle hadn't much changed. She was accustomed to travelling and living lavishly, and she continued to do so. Her extravagant style raised some ire, and even suspicion, which was exacerbated by her apparently lax loyalties. Hari seduced her lovers indiscriminately, sleeping with men from a variety of nationalities, including French, Russian, Dutch, Spanish, Swiss, and German. In a later interview, Hari would claim that her weakness was men in uniforms. According to an unsealed M15 file, when Hari was "faced with her acquaintances with officers of all ranks and all nations, she replied that she loved all officers, and would rather have as her lover a poor officer than a rich banker," via the Star.

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