A Professional Beauty: Lillie Langtry & Victorian Celebrity

“Anyone's life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit.”

—Lillie Langtry (1853–1929)

Lillie Langtry Victorian Superstar

19th century superstar Lillie Langtry was a bold character. She wasn’t afraid to stand out in a crowd as she brazenly created her own celebrity status. Born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton, Lillie Langtry began her life on the Isle of Jersey as the daughter of William Le Breton, a descendant of the illustrious Le Breton family. As a beautiful and ambitious young woman, she set her eyes on a wealthy widower named Edward Langtry, a prize she won when they married in 1874. However, when Langtry entered London society at the age of 23, their wealth was greatly diminished and she knew she could not afford the lavish attire required to fit in with the women of high fashion.

Instead, she caused quite a stir when she entered high society in her own unique style of simple gowns and an understated hairstyle. Her audacity to break free from the rigidly popularized styles caught the attention of notable figures including the artist Sir John Everett Millais, who admired her unique style and natural beauty. Millais asked her to model for a portrait and other artists quickly followed suit, clamoring for her to sit for them. In fact, it was Millais’ second portrait of her that coined Langtry the name of “The Jersey Lily”.

A Jersey Lily - Portrait of Lillie Langtry by Millais

A Jersey Lily, Portrait of Lillie Langtry by John Everett Millais (1878)

She quickly catapulted into stardom and joined the ranks of other “professional beauties” whose celebrity status broke the mold in Victorian society by rising to notoriety, not for their wealth or family name, but for their beauty and personality. It was the beginning of a new celebrity culture, and Lillie Langtry had a true gift for creating her own fame.

As Langtry continued to model and embarked on her acting career, she also elicited scandal with a series of affairs with high-profile men including the prince of Wales and his nephew, Louis Battenberg. Her fame (and affairs) ultimately followed her to the United States where she traveled with her own acting troupe and continued to grow her notoriety. Sadly, her relationships were marked by divorce, widowhood, and numerous affairs and marriages. Despite her notoriously sordid personal life, Lillie Langtry’s legacy lives on as a wildly unique character who captured the hearts and attentions of so many across Britain and the United States. To this day, she is a bold reminder of the power we can all hold by having the courage to be proudly different.

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