Montez, Lola (1818-1861), was an Irish actress and dancer. She was considered to have little talent as a performer, but her beauty and unconventional lifestyle attracted attention and made her an international celebrity. Her most famous performance was the Spider Dance, in which she swished and lifted her skirts in a pantomime of looking for a spider among her clothes. Despite her fame and popularity, Montez died in poverty at the age of 42.
Montez was born on Feb. 17, 1818, in Grange, County Sligo, Ireland. Her real name was Maria Gilbert. She first appeared on the stage in London, England, in 1842. Over the years, she danced in a number of countries, including the United States and Australia, where she entertained miners during the gold rush of the 1850’s. In Australia, a newspaper editor described her performance before an audience of miners as immoral. In response, Montez attacked him with a horsewhip.
Montez’s fame gradually spread, particularly in Europe, and she became the friend of many famous people, including the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt and King Ludwig of Bavaria. She became Ludwig’s mistress. The influence she exerted upon him added to the unpopularity that forced the king to give up his throne in 1848. Montez died on Jan. 17, 1861.
