7 Brilliant Femme Fatales You Should Know ...

Lezlie

A femme fatale literally means "fatal woman" in French.
According to the infamous Wikipedia, "a femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art." A femme fatale knows what she wants and goes for it. Are you a femme fatale?

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1

Cleopatra

Cleopatra I think the most famous femme fatale of them all is Cleopatra. Technically her name is Cleopatra VII Philopator and she is known as the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. She married her brother (yuck) but eventually become sole ruler and had relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Unfortunately she committed suicide after her incredible rise to power but her story lives on today.

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Cleopatra's allure was not just in her famed beauty or her tragic end, but in her intelligence and political savvy. She was multilingual, fluent in Egyptian and Greek among other languages, which allowed her to communicate without interpreters, a rarity among the Egyptian pharaohs. Her strategic romantic alliances brought her into the heart of Roman power, her relationship with Julius Caesar securing her throne, and her alliance with Mark Antony nearly creating an empire rivaling Rome. Her legacy is complex, blending tales of seduction with her role as a capable leader who wanted to revive Egypt's past glories.

2

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe Oh, sweet little Norma Jeane Mortenson! That was her name before her radical transformation into the icon we know today as Marilyn Monroe. I'm not sure if it was her experience growing up as an orphan that created her incurable need for love and attention but she lived for the limelight. She played the innocent end of the femme fatale spectrum, but mastered it nonetheless in her real life and definitely on screen.

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Marilyn's allure went beyond the silver screen; she captivated audiences with a blend of vulnerability and sex appeal that was both powerful and poignant. Whether it was her breathy rendition of Happy Birthday to President Kennedy or her iconic white dress scene in The Seven Year Itch, she embodied the seductive yet fragile spirit of a true femme fatale. Her personal life, marked by high-profile relationships and a tragic end, further cemented her legendary status, making her a perpetual subject of fascination and adoration long after her time.

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3

Selina Kyle

Selina Kyle Selina Kyle is the original and most popular fictional Catwoman character we know and have come to love. I don't know if it's because she is our generation's Catwoman but my favorite version of Selina Kyle so far was played by Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises. If you saw the movie, you know that Anne knows how to play her cards, winning Batman's heart and interest by being one step ahead of him.

4

Nico

Nico Nico from the classic band The Velvet Underground is on the list because we can thank her for the song "Femme Fatale," where she is the lead singer. This German beauty had a hauntingly beautiful voice and it helped set her apart from her male bandmates. She pretty much sums up the heart and mind of the femme fatale in the following lyrics, "Here she comes, you better watch your step. She's going to break your heart in two, it's true."

5

Mata Hari

Mata Hari My sister friend Azucena is obsessed with this woman. Honestly I didn't know who Mata Hari was until recently but the more I read about her, the more I thought, "This lady is lethal." Mata Hari was her stage name and she is remembered as a Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and convicted spy. I think her death confirms her femme fatale status; she was executed by a firing squad in France. Say what?

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6

Irene Adler

Irene Adler Irene Adler is the fictional character created Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for Sherlock Holmes. She was most recently portrayed by Rachel McAdams onscreen. It's noted that Holmes is impressed with her resourcefulness and intelligence, both qualities needed to be a femme fatale.

7

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie is the real deal. She almost always plays the femme fatale onscreen and some would argue she does so in her real life as well. She seems to have it all, doesn't she? She has the perfect husband, a rainbow of children, a stellar career and her philanthropic desires are fulfilled. I think she plays the other end of the spectrum of what a femme fatale is compared to Marilyn Monroe. When you see Angelina, you know exactly what you are dealing with, but for some reason you still take the bite.

So now you know why I am interested in femme fatales. I had the pleasure of playing one in a music video and I have been fascinated ever since. Who is your favorite femme fatale?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I know it\'s a hit or miss but what about Medusa and Aphrodite. I know they aren\'t real but Medusa lured men with her beauty and turned them to stone. Aphrodite used her beauty to get her way pretty much and men were afraid of her.

Not only should we not be supporting Angelina Jolie, we should be condemning her. This woman has admittedly grown up torturing kittens and other animals while wearing people\'s blood around her neck. She is nothing but a potential serial killer freak nutso turned Hollywood. Look into her background I dare you.

I liked Ms Hathaway\'s performance as Selina Kyle. However, I much preferred one of my favourite the thespians, Michelle Pfeiffer\'s inspired performance!

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions. Fictional character, but still...

Cleopatra took over an entire empire. Now that\'s \"femme fatale\" status, she\'s the original, powerful, cunning, siren, I think I\'d also add Jezebel to the list, also taking forth and ruling an empire. Even up until her fall, she knew and prepared for her death, putting on her makeup, was symbolic for her putting on her war paint, ( though many would argue that case) and you can tell she\'s a force, up until her famous last words. Often, ironically enough, the same chaotic tragedy they concoct catches up to them, the one trait that always follows is leading men to some sort of devastation, ruin or compromising situation. Without that, you do not have a femme fatale, the art & gift of seduction is also very pronounced. I can honestly say I\'m a modern day femme fatale and most of the women you mentioned are worthy of admiration. Being epitomes of strength and overthrowing men in their own courts/ arenas. Even Anne Hathaway has her own natural femme fatale magnetism (without her cat woman role) having her venus in Scorpio.

I just don\'t find anything interesting about Angelina Jolie

Cleopatra all the way! I am obsessed with her, reading every book that I can. What a strong woman who defied a male dominated empire. She used what we women have naturally to get what she wanted. Love her!

#1 This is Liz Taylor.

Dita von Teese will forever and always be the best ❤️

Shanna the She Devil!!!! Look her up ;)

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