Belle Brezing was a nationally known madam in Lexington, Kentucky at the end of the 19th century and into the beginning of the 20th.
22 Facts About Belle Brezing
2.
Belle Brezing's brothel was known as the "most orderly of disorderly houses".
3.
Belle Brezing was born Mary Belle Cox, the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Ann Cox.
4.
At the age of 12, the age of consent at the time, Brezing was seduced by Dionesio Mucci, a local merchant who was three times her age.
5.
The relationship with Mucci lasted two years, although Belle Brezing had other lovers during this time, including cigar makers James Kenney and Johnny Cook.
6.
On September 14,1875, when Belle Brezing was 3 months pregnant, she married James Kenney, but never lived with him.
7.
Nine days later, Belle Brezing wrote to Cook asking for a gun.
8.
On March 14,1876, Belle Brezing gave birth to a daughter, Daisy May Kenney.
9.
Belle Brezing left her baby with a neighbour, with a promise to always provide for her, and turned to prostitution.
10.
Belle Brezing quickly became the brothel's top earner and had bankers and politicians amongst her clients.
11.
In July 1881, Belle Brezing rented a house at 156 North Upper Street and opened her own brothel.
12.
Belle Brezing again became pregnant but the baby was stillborn in July 1882.
13.
Belle Brezing was determined to make her brothel the finest in Lexington, with the best surroundings and entertainment.
14.
Belle Brezing made frequent trips to Cincinnati and New York City to buy linens, furnishings and clothes for the brothel.
15.
Belle Brezing had many influential citizens amongst her clients, including bankers, businessmen and politicians.
16.
Belle Brezing ensured she had a proper burial in Lexington Cemetery.
17.
On February 16,1917 Billy Mabon died and by November of that year Belle Brezing had shut the brothel.
18.
Belle Brezing continued to live in the premises until her death in 1940.
19.
Belle Brezing was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 1938 and died on August 11,1940.
20.
Belle Brezing's tombstone reads "Blessed Be the Pure in Heart".
21.
Brezing is believed to have been the model for Belle Watling in Gone with the Wind.
22.
The documentary was narrated by Elizabeth Shatner and Belle Brezing was again played by Laurie Genet Preston.