Extraordinary Women

Positioning herself at the forefront of Chinese politics, first lady Madame Chiang Kai-Shek played a pivotal role in establishing her country’s position on the world stage. Educated in America, she was vital in attracting support from foreign powers during the Sino-Japanese War and World War II. But a scandalous affair nearly ended her career and threatened to destroy her reputation.

Her name is synonymous with luxury and style. But the early life of Coco Chanel was far from glamorous. Born into the poorhouse and abandoned in an orphanage, her steely ambition drove her to create an iconic, global fashion brand in a male dominated industry. But her success was marred by rumors of wartime collaboration with the Nazis and a string of disastrous love affairs. 

Branded a gold digger, and even a Nazi-sympathizer, Wallis Simpson was a twice-divorced American who had already led a colorful life when she embarked upon one of the most talked-about marriages of the 20th century. In 1936, Edward VIII gave up the British throne to marry her. The couple were forced to live in exile and endure relentless snubs from the Royal Family for the rest of their lives.

Austrian born Hedy Lamarr burst onto the world stage mired in controversy. Her film Ecstasy was considered so racy it was condemned by the Pope. She moved to Hollywood where a string of romantic intrigues brought her to the attention of the scandal sheets. But she led a double life. Her hatred of Nazis drove her to invent a system that forms the basis of today’s wireless communication.

She became known as one of the most beautiful and celebrated actresses of Hollywood’s golden era. But the early life of Audrey Hepburn was deeply tragic. She endured the horrors of the Nazi-occupation in wartime Holland. Then after a string of iconic films, she dedicated herself to charity work, never forgetting her suffering during the war, or the humanitarian groups who saved her.

Her life was like a fairytale. But all fairytales have a dark side. Determined to impress her distant father, Grace Kelly threw herself into a modeling career before turning to acting, soon becoming a star. Her star rose even higher with her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco, but rumors plagued the relationship. Grace’s mysterious death brought a tragic end to the life of a Hollywood icon.

Martha Gellhorn’s crusading journalistic career came to have a devastating effect on her personal life. In a field dominated by men, she was the war correspondent who tried to show the human consequences of conflict. While she was celebrated as a writer, her romantic life was a disaster and a strained relationship with the American government led to a nomadic life searching for a stable home.

Driven by the poverty and racism she witnessed during childhood, Josephine Baker was determined to improve her own life and the wider world. Leaving America, her celebrated ‘Banana Dance’ helped her to become a huge international star and immensely wealthy. She dedicated herself to equality and joined the civil rights movement. But her crusading devastated her personal life and left her penniless.

The controversial career of Indira Ghandi, India’s first female Prime Minister, was rife with contradictions. She was equally loved and loathed with some seeing her as the savior of her nation while others felt she was implicit in its failings. She introduced social reforms and empathized with the poor, but later resorted to autocratic rule that ultimately led to her tragic death. 

Born into a life of privilege, Amelia Earhart always had a thirst for adventure. She developed the airplane bug early and soon her adventurous spirit and girl-next-door personality led to her global celebrity thanks to her amazing flying feats. But she was determined to prove her skill and ensure she wasn’t just a novelty act, a drive that led to tragedy as she attempted one final achievement.

One of the most prolific and successful authors of all time, Agatha Christie is revered as The Queen of Murder Mystery. But her own life has its own mysteries and unusual events. A stringently private person, there was a possible breakdown, an unexplained disappearance and a bitter divorce, all while the novels sold in their billions. But do a few hidden clues provide more insight into her life?

She’s now known as a leading sex expert, but Ruth Westheimer has led many remarkable lives. She’s a Holocaust survivor, a former sniper in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, dedicated academic and single mother who lived across the globe. It was only a chance appearance on a radio show that led to her life as a renowned sex therapist. Despite her celebrity status, she’s remained true to her Jewish roots. 

Maria Montessori was a true pioneer who led by example. One of the first female doctors in Italy, she was forced to flee the country when she dared confront Mussolini. Campaigning tirelessly for the rights of women, children and the disadvantaged, she developed a method of education, focused on independent learning, that helped produce some of the most creative and successful people on the planet.