Mata Hari (1876-1917)
Beautiful, seductive and mysterious, Mata Hari is probably the most famous female spy, which is ironic because she may never have done any spying! Born in Holland, Margaretha Geertruida Zelle moved to Paris in 1903. She became an overnight sensation as an exotic (and often virtually naked) dancer. Her stage name was Mata Hari, meaning “sunrise” in Javanese. She lived the high-life; paid for by her many wealthy boyfriends. She once said, “I avoid serious liaisons with men.”