This list of prostitutes and courtesans includes famous persons who have engaged in

prostitution Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in Sex work, sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, n ...

and courtesan work.

Historical

Ancient world

* Rahab of

Jericho Jericho ( ; ar, أريحا ; he, יְרִיחוֹ ) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank. It is located in the Jordan Valley, with the Jordan River to the east and Jerusalem to the west. It is the administrative seat of the Jericho Gove ...

* Aspasia, Greek '' hetaera'', companion of Pericles * Phryne, Greek hetaera * Thaïs, Greek hetaera who lived during the time of Alexander the Great * Theodora, empress of Byzantium *

Su Xiaoxiao Su Xiaoxiao () (c.479 – c.501), sometimes by the appellation "Little Su", was a famous Chinese courtesan and poet from Qiantang City (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province) in the Southern Qi Dynasty. She had a sister named Su Pannu. Life and care ...

, Chinese courtesan of the 5th century

Early Modern era

Imperia Cognati Imperia Cognati (also called Imperia La Divina, meaning ''Imperia The Divine'', or ''The Queen of Courtesans'', 3 August 1486 – 15 August 1512), was a Roman courtesan. She has been considered the first celebrity of the class of courtesans, which ...

, the "first courtesan" in Europe *

Isabella de Luna Isabella de Luna (died 1564) was an Italian (originally Spanish) courtesan of Renaissance-era Rome. She was known as amusing company, having a kind heart but also a foul tongue. She was an accomplished musician. Amongst her patrons were members of ...

, Italian (originally Spanish) courtesan of Renaissance-era Rome. * Hwang Jini, the most famous Korean

gisaeng Kisaeng (Hangul: 기생, Hanja: 妓生, RR: ''Gisaeng''), also called ginyeo (Hangul: 기녀, Hanja: 妓女), were women from outcast or slave families who were trained to be courtesans, providing artistic entertainment and conversation to men ...

Chica da Silva Francisca da Silva de Oliveira (–1796), known in history by the name Chica da Silvahttp://dicionarioegramatica.com/2015/12/06/chica-ou-xica-da-silva-o-certo-e-xica-ou-chica-da-silva/ Chica ou Xica da Silva? in: DicionarioeGramatica.com and wh ...

, famous eighteenth-century slave courtesan in Brazil, subject of the movie ''

Xica ''Xica'' ( pt, Xica da Silva) is a 1976 Brazilian comedy film directed and written by Carlos Diegues, based on the novel by João Felício dos Santos, which is a romanticized retelling of the true story of Chica da Silva,http://dicionarioegrama ...

'' *

Madame du Barry Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry (19 August 1743 – 8 December 1793) was the last ''maîtresse-en-titre'' of King Louis XV of France. She was executed, by guillotine, during the French Revolution due to accounts of treason—particularly being ...

, mistress to Louis XV of France *

Veronica Franco Veronica Franco (1546–1591) was an Italian poet and courtesan in 16th-century Venice. She is known for her notable clientele, feminist advocacy, literary contributions, and philanthropy. Her humanist education and cultural contributions influe ...

, Venetian courtesan and poet *

Nell Gwyn Eleanor Gwyn (2 February 1650 – 14 November 1687; also spelled ''Gwynn'', ''Gwynne'') was a celebrity figure of the Restoration period. Praised by Samuel Pepys for her comic performances as one of the first actresses on the English stage ...

, courtesan to

Charles II of England Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651, and King of England, Scotland and Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in 1685. Charles II was the eldest surviving child of ...

19th century

* Laura Bell, the "Queen of London whoredom" *

Theresa Berkeley Theresa Berkley or Berkeley (died September 1836) was a 19th-century English dominatrix who ran a brothel in Hallam Street, just to the east of Portland Place, Marylebone, London, specialising in flagellation. She is notable as the inventor of ...

, dominatrix *

Jeanne Brécourt Jeanne Brécourt, sometimes written ''Bricourt,'' (born 8 April 1837), was one of France's most notorious courtesans. Using dishonesty and blackmail, she ruined some of her lovers. She was sentenced 15 years' penal servitude for having one of her ...

, born 1837, one of France's most notorious courtesans *

Annie Chapman Annie Chapman (born Eliza Ann Smith; 25 September 1840 – 8 September 1888) was the second Jack the Ripper#Canonical five, canonical victim of the notorious unidentified serial killer Jack the Ripper, who killed and mutilation, mutilated a min ...

, one of the "canonical five" victims of Jack the Ripper * Mary Jane Kelly, one of the "canonical five" victims of Jack the Ripper *

Lizzie Lape Lizzie Lape (August 15, 1853 – sometime after Thanksgiving 1917) was a mid-Ohio madam who owned and operated multiple bordellos at the end of the 19th century and early into the 20th. Biography Lizzie Lape was born Amy Elizabeth Rogers in ...

, mid-Ohio madam, operator of multiple bordellos, 1880s-1900s *

Mary Ann Nichols Mary Ann Nichols, known as Polly Nichols (née Walker; 26 August 184531 August 1888), was the first canonical victim of the unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper, who is believed to have murdered and mutilated at least five women i ...

, one of the "canonical five" victims of Jack the Ripper *Shady Sadie (

Josephine Marcus Josephine Sarah "Sadie" Earp (née Marcus; 1861 – December 19, 1944) was the common-law wife of Wyatt Earp, a famed Old West lawman and gambler. She met Wyatt in 1881 in the frontier boom town of Tombstone in Arizona Territory, when she w ...

), courtesan who had an affair with Wyatt Earp *

Elizabeth Stride Elizabeth "Long Liz" Stride ( Gustafsdotter; 27 November 1843 – 30 September 1888) is believed to have been the third victim of the unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper, who killed and mutilated at least five women in the Whitecha ...

, one of the "canonical five" victims of Jack the Ripper *

Martha Tabram Martha Tabram (née White; 10 May 1849 – 7 August 1888) was an English woman killed in a spate of violent murders in and around the Whitechapel district of East London between 1888 and 1891. She may have been the first victim of the still-uni ...

, a possible victim of Jack the Ripper * Libby Thompson, "Squirrel Tooth Alice," madam of a brothel in

Sweetwater, Texas Sweetwater is a municipality in and the seat of Nolan County, Texas, United States. It is 123 miles southeast of Lubbock and 40 miles west of Abilene, Texas. Its population was 10,906 at the 2010 census. History The town's name "Sweetwater" is t ...

Julia Bulette Julia Bulette (1832 – January 19/20, 1867), was an English-born American prostitute in Virginia City, Nevada, a boomtown serving the Comstock Lode silver mine. She was murdered in 1867, and French drifter John Millain was quickly convicted and h ...

, American prostitute in Virginia City, Nevada

20th century

* Elizabeth Adams, (1933 or 1934–July 8, 1995), also known as Madam Alex, Hollywood madam * Polly Adler, New York madam, 1920s to 1940s *

Air Force Amy Deanne Salinger, known professionally as Air Force Amy, is an American legal prostitute, glamour model, adult model, and reality TV performer. MSNBC has called her "a living legend in the world of sex."

, a legal prostitute in Nevada, pornographic actress, and adult model, who starred in the HBO television documentary series '' Cathouse: The Series''. MSNBC has called her "a living legend in the world of sex." * Josie Arlington, madam in Storyville, New Orleans * Caridad la Negra (María de la Caridad Norberta Pacheco Sánchez) Spanish prostitute and madam, early to mid-20th century *

Suzy Favor-Hamilton Suzy Favor Hamilton (born August 8, 1968) is an American former middle-distance runner. She competed in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympics. Early life and education Suzy Favor was born in 1968 to Conrad and Rachel (Skundberg) Favor in S ...

, 3 time Olympian for Track and Field, and the subject of intense publicity when her activities as an escort became public. * Heidi Fleiss, a.k.a. the "Hollywood Madam", ran an upscale prostitution ring based in Los Angeles during the 1990s * Mata Hari (born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle), Dutch spy * Xaviera Hollander, author of the memoir ''The Happy Hooker: My Own Story'' *

La Macorina María Calvo Nodarse (1892 in Guanajay – 15 June 1977, in Havana), better known as La Macorina, was a Cuban prostitute who was a friend of ex-president José Miguel Gómez, whom she supported during the Chambelona War. She was the first woman ...

, Cuban courtesan, 1910s to 1930s * Carol Leigh, a.k.a. Scarlot Harlot, coined the term "sex worker" *

Brooke Magnanti Brooke Magnanti (born 5 November 1975) is an American-born naturalised British former research scientist, blogger, and writer, who, until her identity was revealed in November 2009, was known by the pen name Belle de Jour. While completing her ...

, blogger and scientist who wrote as Belle de Jour and was the inspiration for Billie Piper's character in '' Secret Diary of a Call Girl'' *

Barbara Payton Barbara Lee Payton (born Barbara Lee Redfield; November 16, 1927 – May 8, 1967) was an American film actress best known for her stormy social life and battles with alcoholism and drug addiction. Her life has been the subject of several bo ...

, American actress turned prostitute *

Charlotte Rose Charlotte Rose is an English sex worker, dominatrix, sexual trainer and political candidate from Nottingham, who lives in London. In 2013 she won the award of "Sex Worker of the Year" at the Sexual Freedom Awards where she is now a resident judge. ...

, an English sex worker, dominatrix, sexual trainer and political candidate *

Annie Sprinkle Annie M. Sprinkle (born Ellen F. Steinberg on July 23, 1954) is an American certified sexologist, performance artist, former sex worker, and advocate for sex work and health care. Citing: Sprinkle has worked as a prostitute, sex educator, femi ...

, American sex worker, porn star, and sex educator and writer * Valérie Tasso, French author *

Sheila Vogel-Coupe Sheila Vogel-Coupe (1928 – 25 November 2022) was the oldest sex worker in the United Kingdom. Some reports from 2014 stated that, at the age of 85, she was the oldest sex worker in the world. She was born in 1928, the granddaughter of Polis ...

, at 85+ the oldest prostitute in the United Kingdom and, possibly, the world * Gangubai Harjeevandas, a prostitute, an Indian social activist and madam of a brothel in the Kamathipura area of Mumbai during the 1960s *

Clara Ward, Princesse de Caraman-Chimay Clara Ward (17 June 1873 – 9 December 1916) was a wealthy American socialite who married Joseph, Prince de Caraman-Chimay of Belgium. Early life Clara Ward was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Captain Eber Brock Ward (1811–1 ...

, daughter of a Michigan lumberman who spent most of her life in Europe * Lulu White, madam in Storyville, New Orleans *

Estella Marie Thompson Estella Marie Thompson (born August 9, 1969), also known as Divine Brown, is an American former sex worker who gained attention from law enforcement and the media in 1995 when actor Hugh Grant was caught receiving oral sex from her in his car on ...

, also known as Divine Brown, an American and former prostitute who gained public attention in 1995 when actor Hugh Grant was caught receiving oral sex from her in his car *

Kimberly Daniels Kimberly Daniels (born June 12, 1961) is an American minister, religious author, politician, wife and mother of four from Jacksonville, Florida. She is a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing House District 14 (part of D ...

, former sex worker and drug addict who became a prolific author, religious minister and member of the Florida House of Representatives; introduced successful legislation to put

In God we trust "In God We Trust" (also rendered as "In God we trust") is the United States national motto, official motto of the United States and of the U.S. state of Florida. It was adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1956, replacing ("Out of many, one"), whic ...

in Florida school classrooms *

Domenica Niehoff Domenica Anita Niehoff (3 August 1945 – 12 February 2009), also known as Domenica, was a German prostitute and activist. She appeared in television shows in the 1990s, where she campaigned for the legalization and regulation of the profession. ...

, German prostitute, dominatrix, sex worker rights activist and television personality *

Molly Luft Molly Luft (19 March 1944 – 24 November 2010) was a German prostitute, noted for her obesity and lurid make-up. Life She was born as Edda Blanck in Pomerania and grew up in a middle-class family in West Berlin. In 1967 she got marrie ...

, German prostitute, brothel owner and television personality

21st century

* Liara Roux, American prostitute, sex worker rights activist and author in New York *

Sexy Cora Sexy Cora (born Carolin Ebert, civil name Carolin Wosnitza; 2 May 1987 – 20 January 2011) was a German pornographic actress, model, singer, exotic dancer, wife of Tim Wosnitza, and reality show participant. Cora was born in Berlin. She was on ...

, German former prostitute, pornographic actress and reality show participant

Fictional

In literature

*Angel/Sarah, Lucky, & Mai Ling, in ''

Redeeming Love ''Redeeming Love'' is a historical romance novel by Francine Rivers set in the 1850s Gold Rush in California. The story is inspired by the Book of Hosea from the Bible, and its central theme is the redeeming love of God towards sinners. In 2020, ...

'' by

Francine Rivers Francine Sandra Rivers (born 1947) is an American author of Christian novel, fiction with Christianity, Christian themes, including inspirational romance novels. Prior to becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Rivers wrote historical romance no ...

*Bella Cohen, Florry, & Zoe, in ''

Ulysses Ulysses is one form of the Roman name for Odysseus, a hero in ancient Greek literature. Ulysses may also refer to: People * Ulysses (given name), including a list of people with this name Places in the United States * Ulysses, Kansas * Ulysse ...

'' by James Joyce *Belle, '' Ah, Wilderness!'' by Eugene O'Neill *Belle Watling, '' Gone with the Wind'' by Margaret Mitchell *Betsi, a female Whiphid,

Star Wars: X-wing (book series) ''Star Wars: X-wing'' is a ten-book series of ''Star Wars'' novels by Michael A. Stackpole (who also co-wrote the similarly named comic book series) and Aaron Allston. Stackpole's contributions cover the adventures of a new Rogue Squadron formed ...

Michael A. Stackpole Michael Austin Stackpole (born November 27, 1957) is an American science fiction and fantasy author best known for his '' Star Wars'' and ''BattleTech'' books. He was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, but raised in Vermont. He has a BA in history from ...

. *Candy, in '' Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction'' by

Luke Davies Luke Davies (born 1962) is an Australian writer of poetry, novels and screenplays. His best known works are '' Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction'' (which was adapted for the screen in 2006) and the screenplay for the film '' Lion'', which e ...

*Candy, in ''

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may refer to: * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (novel), a 1962 novel by Ken Kesey * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (play), a 1963 stage adaptation of the novel starring Kirk Douglas * ''One Flew Over the ...

'' by Ken Kesey *

Chandramukhi ''Chandramukhi'' () is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language comedy horror film written and directed by P. Vasu. A remake of Vasu's Kannada film ''Apthamitra'' (2004), which itself loosely based on the Malayalam film ''Manichitrathazhu'' (1993), the fi ...

, in '' Devdas'' by

Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, alternatively spelt as Sarat Chandra Chatterjee ( bn, শরৎচন্দ্র চট্টোপাধ্যায়; 15 September 1876 or ৩১ শে ভাদ্র ১২৮৩ বঙ্গাব্দ � ...

* Eccentrica Gallumbits, "The Triple-Breasted Whore of Eroticon Six" in '' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' by Douglas Adams *Elisabeth Rouset, in "

Boule de Suif Boule may refer to: ;Ball games * Boules, a collective term for games involving players throwing balls at a smaller target ball ** Pétanque, a common variety originating in France and sometimes loosely called "boules" in English ** Boule Lyonnais ...

", a short story by Guy de Maupassant *Fanny Hill, in '' Fanny Hill'' by John Cleland *

Fantine Fantine (French pronunciation: ) is a fictional character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables''. She is a young '' grisette'' in Paris who becomes pregnant by a rich student. After he abandons her, she is forced to look after their chil ...

, in '' Les Misérables'' by

Victor Hugo Victor-Marie Hugo (; 26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885) was a French Romantic writer and politician. During a literary career that spanned more than sixty years, he wrote in a variety of genres and forms. He is considered to be one of the great ...

Raja Ravi Varma, Vasanthasena (Oleographic print)

* Marguerite Gautier, from Alexandre Dumas, fils' work '' La Dame aux camélias'', inspired by real life 19th-century courtesan

Marie Duplessis Marie Duplessis (born Alphonsine Rose Plessis; 15 January 1824 – 3 February 1847) was a French courtesan and mistress to a number of prominent and wealthy men. She was the inspiration for Marguerite Gautier, the main character of the 1848 nov ...

, *Jenny Smith, in

Kurt Weill Kurt Julian Weill (March 2, 1900April 3, 1950) was a German-born American composer active from the 1920s in his native country, and in his later years in the United States. He was a leading composer for the stage who was best known for his fru ...

's '' Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny'' and '' The Threepenny Opera'' *Juliette, in the

Marquis de Sade Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade (; 2 June 1740 – 2 December 1814), was a French nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer famous for his literary depictions of a libertine sexuality as well as numerous accusat ...

's ''

Juliette Juliette is a feminine personal name of French origin. It is a diminutive of Julie. Notable people *Juliette (Canadian singer) (1926-2017), full name Juliette Augustina Sysak Cavazzi, Canadian singer and TV personality of the 1950s-1970s. known ...

'' *Kamala, in '' Siddhartha'' by Hermann Hesse *Lady Sally, in '' Callahan's Lady'' by

Spider Robinson Spider Robinson (born November 24, 1948) is an American-born Canadian list of science fiction authors, science fiction author. He has won a number of awards for his hard science fiction and humorous stories, including the Hugo Award 1977 and 198 ...

*Lozana, '' Portrait of Lozana'' by Francisco Delicado *Lulu, in Frank Wedekind's plays and

Alban Berg Alban Maria Johannes Berg ( , ; 9 February 1885 – 24 December 1935) was an Austrian composer of the Second Viennese School. His compositional style combined Romantic lyricism with the twelve-tone technique. Although he left a relatively sma ...

's opera of the same name *Mamie Stover, '' The Revolt of Mamie Stover'' by

William Bradford Huie William Bradford Huie (November 13, 1910 – November 20, 1986) was an American writer, investigative reporter, editor, national lecturer, and television host. His credits include twenty-one books that sold over 30 million copies worldwide. In ad ...

Manon Lescaut ''The Story of the Chevalier des Grieux and Manon Lescaut'' ( ) is a novel by Antoine François Prévost. Published in 1731, it is the seventh and final volume of ''Mémoires et aventures d'un homme de qualité'' (''Memoirs and Adventures of a Ma ...

*Mistress Overdone, manager of a bordello in ''

Measure for Measure ''Measure for Measure'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604 and first performed in 1604, according to available records. It was published in the ''First Folio'' of 1623. The play's plot features its ...

'' by William Shakespeare *

Moll Flanders ''Moll Flanders'' is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722. It purports to be the true account of the life of the eponymous Moll, detailing her exploits from birth until old age. By 1721, Defoe had become a recognised novelist, wit ...

, ''

The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders ''Moll Flanders'' is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722. It purports to be the true account of the life of the eponymous Moll, detailing her exploits from birth until old age. By 1721, Defoe had become a recognised novelist, wi ...

'' by

Daniel Defoe Daniel Defoe (; born Daniel Foe; – 24 April 1731) was an English writer, trader, journalist, pamphleteer and spy. He is most famous for his novel ''Robinson Crusoe'', published in 1719, which is claimed to be second only to the Bible in its ...

* Molly Malone, Irish urban legend *Mother Goose, in

Stravinsky Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (6 April 1971) was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor, later of French (from 1934) and American (from 1945) citizenship. He is widely considered one of the most important and influential 20th-century clas ...

's '' The Rake's Progress'' *Nana, '' Nana'', by Émile Zola * Nancy, ''

Oliver Twist ''Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress'', Charles Dickens's second novel, was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839, and as a three-volume book in 1838. Born in a workhouse, the orphan Oliver Twist is bound into apprenticeship with ...

'' by Charles Dickens *Odette, in

Marcel Proust Valentin Louis Georges Eugène Marcel Proust (; ; 10 July 1871 – 18 November 1922) was a French novelist, critic, and essayist who wrote the monumental novel ''In Search of Lost Time'' (''À la recherche du temps perdu''; with the previous Eng ...

's ''Un amour de Swann'' *Phedre no Delauny of Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel novels *Pie 'Oh' Pah, from ''

Imajica ''Imajica'' is a fantasy novel by British author Clive Barker. Barker, in 1997, named it as his favourite of all his writings up to that point. The work, 824 pages at its first printing in 1991, chronicles the events surrounding the reconciliati ...

'' by Clive Barker *Romulus, central character in '' The Romanian: Story of an Obsession'' by

Bruce Benderson Bruce Benderson (born August 6, 1946) is an American author, born to parents of Russian Jewish descent, who lives in New York. He attended William Nottingham High School (1964) in Syracuse, New York and then Binghamton University (1969). He is t ...

*Mrs. Rosie Palm, brothel owner and president of the Guild of "Seamstresses" in various '' Discworld'' novels by Terry Pratchett *Satine, in '' Moulin Rouge!'' by

Baz Luhrmann Mark Anthony Luhrmann (born 17 September 1962), known professionally as Baz Luhrmann, is an Australian film director, producer, writer and actor. With projects spanning film, television, opera, theatre, music and recording industries, he is re ...

, a story based on the Paris nightclub of the same name *Séverine Serizy, in the 1928 novel ''

Belle de Jour Belle may refer to: * Belle (''Beauty and the Beast'') * Belle (given name), a list of people and fictional characters * Belle (surname), a list of people Brands and enterprises * Belle Air, a former airline with headquarters in Tirana, Albania * ...

'' and the 1967 film based on it * Sonya Marmeladova, '' Crime and Punishment'' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky *Suzie Wong, from '' The World of Suzie Wong'' by Richard Mason *Talanta, '' La Talanta'' by

Pietro Aretino Pietro Aretino (, ; 19 or 20 April 1492 – 21 October 1556) was an Italian author, playwright, poet, satirist and blackmailer, who wielded influence on contemporary art and politics. He was one of the most influential writers of his time and a ...

*Thúy Kiều, ''

The Tale of Kieu ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' by

Nguyễn Du Nguyễn Du (; 3 January 1766 – 16 September 1820), pen names Tố Như () and Thanh Hiên (), is a celebrated Vietnamese poet. He is most known for writing the epic poem ''The Tale of Kiều''. Biography Youth Nguyễn Du was born in a gre ...

*Tra La La, '' Last Exit to Brooklyn'' by

Hubert Selby Hubert "Cubby" Selby Jr. (July 23, 1928 – April 26, 2004) was an American writer. Two of his novels, ''Last Exit to Brooklyn'' (1964) and ''Requiem for a Dream'' (1978) explore worlds in the New York area and were adapted as films, both of whi ...

*Tristessa, ''

Tristessa : ''This article refers to the short novel by Jack Kerouac. For the Smashing Pumpkins song, see Tristessa (song)'' ''Tristessa'' is a novella by Beat Generation writer Jack Kerouac set in Mexico City. It is based on his relationship with a Mexic ...

'' by

Jack Kerouac Jean-Louis Lebris de Kérouac (; March 12, 1922 – October 21, 1969), known as Jack Kerouac, was an American novelist and poet who, alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, was a pioneer of the Beat Generation. Of French-Canadian a ...

*Vasantsenaa, a Nagarvadhu, or wealthy courtesan, in

Śudraka Shudraka ( IAST: ) was an Indian playwright, to whom three Sanskrit plays are attributed: '' Mrichchhakatika'' (''The Little Clay Cart''), ''Vinavasavadatta'', and a ''bhana'' (short one-act monologue), ''Padmaprabhritaka''.Bhattacharji, Sukumari ...

's Sanskrit play '' Mṛcchakatika'' *Violetta, main character from the opera ''

La Traviata ''La traviata'' (; ''The Fallen Woman'') is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on ''La Dame aux camélias'' (1852), a play by Alexandre Dumas ''fils'' adapted from his own 18 ...

'' by

Giuseppe Verdi Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (; 9 or 10 October 1813 – 27 January 1901) was an Italian composer best known for his operas. He was born near Busseto to a provincial family of moderate means, receiving a musical education with the h ...

, is also inspired by Alexandre Dumas' '' La Dame aux camélias''. "La Traviata" means "the reprobate". *Yumi Komagata, in '' Rurouni Kenshin'' by

Nobuhiro Watsuki , better known by his pen name , is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for his samurai-themed series '' Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story'' (1994–1999), which has over 70 million copies in circulation and a sequel he is cur ...

*Zaza, in ''

Zaza Zaza may refer to: Ethnic group * Zazas, a group of people in eastern Anatolia (southeastern Turkey) * Zaza–Gorani languages, Indo-Iranian languages ** Zaza language, spoken by the Zazas People Given name * Zaza Sor. Aree (born 1993), Thai k ...

'' by Pierre Berton and

Film, television, and musical theater

Belle the Sleeping Car ''Starlight Express'' is a 1984 British musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. It tells the story of a young but obsolete steam engine, Rusty, who races in a championship against modern engines in the hope o ...

, train in '' Starlight Express'' by

Andrew Lloyd Webber Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber (born 22 March 1948), is an English composer and impresario of musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 21 musicals, ...

*Christine/Chelsea, central character in ''

The Girlfriend Experience ''The Girlfriend Experience'' is a 2009 American slice of life drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring then-pornographic actress Sasha Grey. It was shot in New York City, and a rough cut was screened at the Sundance Film Festiva ...

'' * Inara Serra, ''

Firefly The Lampyridae are a family of elateroid beetles with more than 2,000 described species, many of which are light-emitting. They are soft-bodied beetles commonly called fireflies, lightning bugs, or glowworms for their conspicuous production ...

'' by

Joss Whedon Joseph Hill Whedon (; born June 23, 1964) is an American filmmaker, composer, and comic book writer. He is the founder of Mutant Enemy Productions, co-founder of Bellwether Pictures, and is best known as the creator of several television series: ...

*Ai Nu () in ''

Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan ''Intimate Confessions Of A Chinese Courtesan'' () is a 1972 Hong Kong film directed by Chor Yuen and starring Lily Ho. Plot As a Shaw Brothers classics, sweet young Ai Nu is abducted and sold to the popular Four Seasons brothel run by lusty ma ...

'' (1972) by Chor Yuen (Hong Kong) (Mandarin) (Action, Drama) *Bree Daniels (

Jane Fonda Jane Seymour Fonda (born December 21, 1937) is an American actress, activist, and former fashion model. Recognized as a film icon, Fonda is the recipient of various accolades including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, sev ...

) in '' Klute'' (1971) by Alan J. Pakula (USA) (English) (Crime, Mystery, Thriller) *Cabiria (

Giulietta Masina Giulia Anna "Giulietta" Masina (22 February 1921 – 23 March 1994) was an Italian film actress best known for her performances as Gelsomina in ''La Strada'' (1954) and Cabiria in ''Nights of Cabiria'' (1957), for which she won the Cannes Film F ...

) in '' Nights of Cabiria'' (1957) by

Federico Fellini Federico Fellini (; 20 January 1920 – 31 October 1993) was an Italian film director and screenwriter known for his distinctive style, which blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness. He is recognized as one of the greatest and most i ...

(Italy, France) (Italian) (Drama) *Chandramukhi ( Vyjayanthimala and Madhuri Dixit) in ''Devdas'' (1955) by Bimal Roy and '' Devdas'' (2002) by Sanjay Leela Bhansali respectively (India) (Hindi, Urdu, Bengali) (Drama, Musical, Romance); from novella by

Saratchandra Chatterjee Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, alternatively spelt as Sarat Chandra Chatterjee ( bn, শরৎচন্দ্র চট্টোপাধ্যায়; 15 September 1876 or ৩১ শে ভাদ্র ১২৮৩ বঙ্গাব্দ � ...

*Chiyo Sakamoto ( Ziyi Zhang) in ''

Memoirs of a Geisha ''Memoirs of a Geisha'' is a historical fiction novel by American author Arthur Golden, published in 1997. The novel, told in first person perspective, tells the story of Nitta Sayuri and the many trials she faces on the path to becoming and wo ...

'' (2005) by Rob Marshall (USA) (English, Japanese) (Drama, Romance); from novel by

Arthur Golden Arthur Sulzberger Golden (born December 6, 1956) is an American writer. He is the author of the bestselling novel ''Memoirs of a Geisha'' (1997). Early life Golden was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the son of Ruth (née Sulzberger) and Ben ...

*Claire Reine / Garance ( Arletty) in ''

Children of Paradise ''Children of Paradise'' (original French title: ''Les Enfants du Paradis'') is a two-part French romantic drama film by Marcel Carné, produced under war conditions in 1943, 1944, and early 1945 in both Vichy France and Occupied France. Set in ...

'' (1945) by

Marcel Carné Marcel Albert Carné (; 18 August 1906 – 31 October 1996) was a French film director. A key figure in the poetic realism movement, Carné's best known films include '' Port of Shadows'' (1938), ''Le Jour Se Lève'' (1939), '' The Devil's Envoys ...

(France) (French) (Drama, Romance) *Constance Miller ( Julie Christie) in '' McCabe & Mrs. Miller'' (1971) by

Robert Altman Robert Bernard Altman ( ; February 20, 1925 – November 20, 2006) was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was a five-time nominee of the Academy Award for Best Director and is considered an enduring figure from the New H ...

(USA) (English) (Drama, Western); from novel by

Edmund Naughton Edmund Naughton (1926–2013) was an American writer and journalist whose first novel, ''McCabe'' (1959), was the basis for the 1971 film '' McCabe & Mrs. Miller''. The film, directed by Robert Altman, is now considered a masterpiece. After 1958, ...

*Doris ( Barbra Streisand) in '' The Owl and the Pussycat'' (1970) by Herbert Ross (USA) (English) (Comedy, Romance); from play by

Bill Manhoff Wilton "Bill" Manhoff (June 25, 1919 – June 19, 1974) was an American screenwriter, producer and playwright. His television series script writing credits included ''Sanford and Son'', ''The Partridge Family'', ''All in the Family'', ''Room 222 ...

*Eréndira ( Claudia Ohana) in '' Eréndira'' (1983) by Ruy Guerra (France, Mexico, West Germany) (Portuguese, Spanish) (Drama); from novel by Gabriel García Márquez *Fanny Hill (

Letícia Román Letícia Román (''née'' Novarese; born 12 August 1941) is an Italian film actress. Early years Román was born Letizia Novarese in Rome in 1941. She was the daughter of stage actress Giuliana Gianni and screenwriter/costume designer Nino Nova ...

) in '' Fanny Hill'' (1964) by Russ Meyer (USA, West Germany) (English, German) (Comedy); from novel by John Cleland *Fleur ( Anita Mui) in '' Rouge'' (1988) by Stanley Kwan (Hong Kong) (Cantonese) (Drama, Fantasy, Music, Mystery, Romance); from novel by

Lilian Lee Lillian or Lilian can refer to: People * Lillian (name) or Lilian, a given name Places * Lilian, Iran, a village in Markazi Province, Iran In the United States * Lillian, Alabama * Lillian, West Virginia * Lillian Township, Custer County, Ne ...

*Gigi ( Leslie Caron) in '' Gigi'' (1958) by Vincente Minnelli (USA) (English, French) (); from novella by Colette *Gloria Wandrous (

Elizabeth Taylor Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was a British-American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 1950s. ...

) in '' BUtterfield 8'' (1960) by Daniel Mann (USA) (English) (Drama); from novel by

John O'Hara John Henry O'Hara (January 31, 1905 – April 11, 1970) was one of America's most prolific writers of short stories, credited with helping to invent ''The New Yorker'' magazine short story style.John O'Hara: Stories, Charles McGrath, ed., The L ...

*Hattie ( Susan Sarandon) in ''

Pretty Baby Pretty Baby may refer to: * ''Pretty Baby'' (1950 film), a comedy film featuring Dennis Morgan and Betsy Drake * ''Pretty Baby'' (1978 film), a drama film featuring Brooke Shields ** ''Pretty Baby'' (soundtrack), a soundtrack album from the film ...

'' (1978) by Louis Malle (USA) (English) (Drama) *Ilya (

Melina Mercouri Maria Amalia "Melina" Mercouri (, 18 October 1920 – 6 March 1994) was a Greek actress, singer, activist, and politician. She came from a political family that was prominent over multiple generations. She received an Academy Award nomination a ...

) in '' Never on Sunday'' (1960) by Jules Dassin (Greece, USA) (English, Greek, Russian) (Comedy, Drama, Romance) *Iris ( Jodie Foster) in '' Taxi Driver'' (1976) by Martin Scorsese (USA) (English, Spanish) (Crime, Drama) *Irma La Douce (

Shirley MacLaine Shirley MacLaine (born Shirley MacLean Beaty, April 24, 1934) is an American actress, author, and former dancer. Known for her portrayals of quirky, strong-willed and eccentric women, MacLaine has received numerous accolades over her seven-dec ...

) in ''

Irma la Douce ''Irma la Douce'' (, "Irma the Sweet") is a 1963 American romantic comedy film directed by Billy Wilder from a screenplay he co-wrote with I. A. L. Diamond, based on the 1956 French stage musical of the same name by Marguerite Monnot and Alexa ...

'' (1963) by Billy Wilder (USA) (English) (Comedy, Romance); from play by Alexandre Breffort *Isabelle (

Marine Vacth Marine Vacth (born 9 April 1991) is a French actress and model. Life and career Vacth was born on 9 April 1991 in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. She grew up in the Paris suburb of Maisons-Alfort. Her father is a truck driver and her mother an ...

) in ''

Young & Beautiful ''Young & Beautiful'' (french: Jeune & Jolie) is a 2013 French erotic drama film directed by François Ozon and produced by Eric and Nicolas Altmayer. The film stars Marine Vacth in the leading role of Isabelle, a teenage prostitute, and featur ...

'' (2013) by François Ozon (France) (French, German) (Drama, Romance) *Juxian ( Gong Li), courtesan and prostitute at an upscale brothel before marrying Duan Xiaolou in the book and film Farewell My Concubine *Liz ( Theresa Russell) in '' Whore'' (1991) by

Ken Russell Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell (3 July 1927 – 27 November 2011) was a British film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. His films in the main were liberal adaptation ...

(USA) (USA, UK) (Drama); from play by

David Hines David Hines (born 1945) is an English writer, author and screenwriter. He is the author of the screenplay of the film ''Whore'', directed by Ken Russell. Biography In 1957 Hines went to the William Morris School for the Arts. With the intenti ...

*Lorena Wood ( Diane Lane) in '' Lonesome Dove'' (1989) by Simon Wincer (USA) (English) (Adventure, Drama, Western); from novel by Larry McMurtry *Lynn Bracken ( Kim Basinger) in ''

L.A. Confidential ''L.A. Confidential'' (1990) is a neo-noir novel by James Ellroy and the third of his L.A. Quartet series. It is dedicated to Mary Doherty Ellroy. The epigraph is "A glory that costs everything and means nothing"— Steve Erickson. Plot The s ...

'' (1997) by Curtis Hanson (USA) (English) (Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller); from novel by James Ellroy *Marguerite Gautier ( Greta Garbo) in '' Camille'' (1936) by George Cukor (USA) (English) (Drama, Romance); from novel & play by

Alexandre Dumas Alexandre Dumas (, ; ; born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie (), 24 July 1802 – 5 December 1870), also known as Alexandre Dumas père (where '' '' is French for 'father', to distinguish him from his son Alexandre Dumas fils), was a French writer ...

*Maya ( Indira Varma) in '' Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love'' (1997) by Mira Nair (USA, India, UK, Japan, Germany) (English, Italian) (Crime, Drama, History, Romance) *Nana (

Catherine Hessling Catherine Hessling (born Andrée Madeleine Heuschling; 22 June 1900 – 28 September 1979) was a French actress and the first wife of film director Jean Renoir. Hessling appeared in 15, mostly silent, films before retiring from the acting prof ...

) in '' Nana'' (1926) by

Jean Renoir Jean Renoir (; 15 September 1894 – 12 February 1979) was a French film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and author. As a film director and actor, he made more than forty films from the silent film, silent era to the end of the 1960s. ...

(France) (French) (Drama, Romance); from novel by Émile Zola *Ophelia ( Jamie Lee Curtis) in the comedy film '' Trading Places'' (1983) *Otsuya (

Ayako Wakao is a Japanese actress who was one of the country's biggest stars of the 20th century. Biography Wakao began her career contracted to Daiei Studios in 1951 as part of the fifth "New Face" group. She has gone on to appear in over 100 feature films ...

) in '' Irezumi'' (1966) by

Yasuzō Masumura was a Japanese film director. Biography Masumura was born in Kōfu, Yamanashi. After graduating from the law department at the University of Tokyo, he worked as an assistant director at the Daiei Film studio. He later returned to university t ...

(Japan) (Japanese) (Drama); from novel by

Jun'ichirō Tanizaki was a Japanese author who is considered to be one of the most prominent figures in modern Japanese literature. The tone and subject matter of his work ranges from shocking depictions of sexuality and destructive erotic obsessions to subtle por ...

*Sahibjaan ( Meena Kumari) in '' Pakeezah'' (1972) by Kamal Amrohi (India) (Urdu) (Musical, Romance, Drama) *Satine ( Nicole Kidman) in '' Moulin Rouge!'' (2001) by

(Australia, USA) (English, French, Spanish) (Drama, Musical, Romance) *Satsu Sakamoto ( Samantha Futerman), sister of Chiyo, who was not allowed to join the Geisha house and ended up in a brothel, instead. From the book and movie

. *Seol-ji ( Kim Ok-bin) in '' The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan'' (2008) by

Yeo Kyun-dong Yeo is a Chinese, English, and Korean surname. Origins As an English surname, Yeo is a toponymic surname meaning "river", either for people who lived near one of the Rivers Yeo, or any river in general. The word comes from Old English , via sou ...

(South Korea) (Korean) (Action, Adventure, Comedy) *Séverine Serizy ( Catherine Deneuve) in ''

'' (1967) by Luis Buñuel (France, Italy) (French, Spanish) (Drama); from novel by Joseph Kessel *Suzie Wong ( Nancy Kwan) in '' The World of Suzie Wong'' (1960) by Richard Quine (UK, USA) (English, Cantonese) (Drama, Romance); from novel by Richard Mason *Tereza Batista (

Patrícia França Patrícia França Monteiro de Oliveira (September 28, 1971, Recife, Brazil) is a Brazilian actress. Biography She began her career in theater as a child and won awards, including the play ''A Ver Estrelas''. Her first job was in the national h ...

) in '' Tereza Batista: Home from the Wars'' (1992) by Paulo Afonso Grisolli (Brazil) (Portuguese) (Drama); from novel by Jorge Amado *Umrao Jaan ( Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) in '' Umrao Jaan'' (2006) by

J.P. Dutta Jyoti Prakash Dutta (born 3 October 1949) is an Indian Bollywood film producer, writer and director, best known for making patriotic action war films. Personal life Dutta is married to the Bollywood film actress Bindiya Goswami with whom he has ...

(India) (Urdu, Hindi) (Drama, Romance); from novel by Mirza Haadi Ruswa *Veronica Franco ( Catherine McCormack) in ''

Dangerous Beauty ''Dangerous Beauty'' is a 1998 American biographical drama film directed by Marshall Herskovitz and starring Catherine McCormack, Rufus Sewell, and Oliver Platt. Based on the non-fiction book '' The Honest Courtesan'' by Margaret Rosenthal, the f ...

'' (1998) by Marshall Herskovitz (USA) (English) (Biography, Drama, Romance); from biography by

Margaret Rosenthal Margaret is a female first name, derived via French () and Latin () from grc, μαργαρίτης () meaning "pearl". The Greek is borrowed from Persian. Margaret has been an English name since the 11th century, and remained popular througho ...

*Violet (

Brooke Shields Brooke Christa Shields (born May 31, 1965) is an American actress and model. She was initially a child model and gained critical acclaim at age 12 for her leading role in Louis Malle's film ''Pretty Baby'' (1978). She continued to model into ...

) in ''

'' (1978) by Louis Malle (USA) (English) (Drama) *Vivian Ward ( Julia Roberts) in ''

Pretty Woman ''Pretty Woman'' is a 1990 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall, from a screenplay by J. F. Lawton. The film stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, and features Héctor Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy (in his final performance), La ...

'' (1990) by Garry Marshall (USA) (English) (Comedy, Romance) *Zoe (

Julie Delpy Julie Delpy (; born 21 December 1969) is a French-American actress, film director, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter. She studied filmmaking at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and has directed, written, and acted in more than 30 films, includi ...

) in '' Killing Zoe'' (1993) by Roger Avary (France, USA) (English, French) (Crime, Thriller) Blanche Simmons (Louise Jameson), Dorothy Bennett (Veronica Roberts) and Maggie Thorpe (Lizzie Mickery) in ''Tenko'' are all to some degree prostitutes. Maggie is intended to be a replacement for Blanche as by the 3rd series of Tenko, Blanche dies offscreen as a result of beri-beri.

Symbolic or allegorical prostitutes

*The Whore of Babylon *

Oholah and Oholibah In the Hebrew Bible, Oholah () and Oholibah () (or Aholah and Aholibah in the King James Version and Young's Literal Translation) are pejorative personifications given by the prophet Ezekiel to the cities of Samaria in the Kingdom of Israel and Je ...

*Moll Hackabout, the prostitute in ''The Harlot's Progress'' by William Hogarth

Myth and legend

*Agatha - English prostitute, mother of Mother Shipton * Basileia (Ancient Greece) - in Pandemos, this goddess was mainly a goddess for prostitutes or courtesans * Bebhinn (Celts of the British Isles) - the goddess of pleasure *

Gomer Gomer ( he, ''Gōmer'', ; el, Γαμὲρ, translit=Gamér) was the eldest son of Japheth (and of the Japhetic line), and father of Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah, according to the "Table of Nations" in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 10). The epo ...

, a prostitute whom God commanded Hosea to marry in the biblical

Book of Hosea The Book of Hosea ( hbo, , Sēfer Hōšēaʿ) is collected as one of the twelve minor prophets of the Nevi'im ("Prophets") in the Tanakh, and as a book in its own right in the Christian Old Testament. According to the traditional order of most Heb ...

Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene (sometimes called Mary of Magdala, or simply the Magdalene or the Madeleine) was a woman who, according to the four canonical gospels, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was a witness to crucifixion of Jesus, his cru ...

was supposed to have been a prostitute by those who identified her with the sinful woman in , an identification now generally abandoned * Naamah (Hebrews) - an angel of prostitution, one of the succubus mates of the demon Samael in Zoharistic Qabalah * Rahab, Biblical prostitute who assisted the Hebrews in capturing Jericho () * Shamhat (Sumer/Babylon)Ditmore, Melissa Hope (ed), ''Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work, Volume 1'', Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006, pp.34-5. * Xochiquetzal (Aztecs) - the goddess of prostitutes, pregnant women, & dancing * Alexandra Dé Broussehan (Irish Celts) - a woman turned spirit of prostitution, caused a war between the Callahan and Lawlor Clans, and often associated with Korrigan whose worship involved sacred prostitution

Charles Squire Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...

''Celtic Myth and Legend''

References

Bibliography

Quan, Tracy. Opera, in Melissa Ditmore (ed.), Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work 2006
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prostitutes And Courtesans, List Of * Prostitutes and courtesans Prostitutes and courtesans Prostitutes and courtesans

Historical

Ancient world

Early Modern era

19th century

20th century

21st century

Fictional

In literature

Film, television, and musical theater

Symbolic or allegorical prostitutes

Myth and legend

See also

References

Bibliography