Virginia Oldoini—known better to history as the Countess of Castiglione—was mad, bad, and dangerous to know. The Italian aristocrat’s legendary beauty and photographic misadventures turned her into the world’s first model, but that’s not what made her infamous. From her bedroom exploits to her tragic downfall, the Countess of Castiglione is one historical figure worth knowing.
Countess of Castiglione Facts
1. She Was Born Into Privilege
On March 22, 1837, the Countess was born into her very own gilded, velvet world. The daughter of Tuscan nobles, her birth name was—deep breath for this—Virginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoini. As her name implies, Oldoini’s parents had big expectations for the little girl…expectations that would soon ruin her entire life.
2. Her Beauty Was Legendary
Growing up, it was clear to everyone who knew the girl that the young Oldoini was going to be a mega babe. She had long, wavy blonde hair, a refined face, and a legendary figure. By the time she was a teen, men were regularly trying to bed the beauty. Creepily enough, her parents were totally fine with this—in fact, they took advantage of it in the worst way possible.
3. She Was a Child Bride
When Virginia was just 17 years old, her parents wasted no time in marrying her off to Francesco Verasis, the Count of Castiglione. Although the union gave Virginia the name we know her by today, it didn’t give her a whole lot else. The count was 12 years older than the girl, and not much of a looker. But it only got worse.
4. She Had a Cute Nickname
You can’t very well go around calling your child a 30-syllable name, so it makes sense that Oldoini’s parents dubbed their little girl “Nicchia.”
5. She Stayed in Her Marriage a Heartbreaking Reason
There was one, and just exactly one, bright spot in Virginia’s marriage to her fuddy-duddy count: Their son together, Giorgio. Oldoini doted on the boy as only a rich mommy can, pouring all her own frustrated hopes and dreams into him. Giorgio, in turn, adored her. Which make the countess’ infamous act of revenge all the more savage.
6. Her "First Time" Was Scandalous
Right before her arranged marriage to the older count, Oldoini sowed her wild oats, and then some. The young girl reportedly embarked on a steamy affair with a hunky naval officer right before tying the knot, which suggests the soon-to-be notorious courtesan desired things beyond domestic bliss from the very beginning.
7. She Was Well-Connected
Virginia had friends in high places. Not only was her husband a noble, but her own heritage was also nothing to slouch at. Her cousin Camillo Benso was even a minister for the King of Sardinia. Well, Camillo must have been a smart man, because one day he rang up the countess with a brilliant—and utterly scandalous—proposition.
8. She Was a Spy
See, Camillo was in the middle of trying to convince the French Emperor Napoleon III to help unify Italy, and he knew his cousin Virginia had a, uh, hypnotizing power over men. He asked the countess to go to France and convince Napoleon to join their side. Yep, he wanted Oldoini to become a spy…but that wasn’t all he instructed her to do.
9. She Went on a Scandalous Mission
Let’s just say that the “convincing” Camillo had in mind wasn’t the kind that involves long debates and dusty books, oh heck no. In fact, he specifically told the countess to “succeed by whatever means you wish—but succeed.” In other words: Bed that boy, and fast. So now Oldoini wasn’t just a spy, she was a honeypot.
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10. Her Eyes Had a Special Feature
The Countess was famous for one feature in particular: Her eyes. According to reports from the time, they were constantly changing from green to a brilliant blue-violet.
11. She Knew Men's Weak Spots
The Oldoini cousins couldn’t have picked a better mark than Napoleon III. A notorious womanizer, Napoleon also “suffered” from a chaste and pious wife, Empress Eugenie, who had long stopped sleeping with him because she found him and his extra-marital escapades “disgusting.” Well enter: The Countess of Castiglione.
12. Her Husband Didn't Understand Boundaries
Although the still-teenaged Oldoini jumped at the chance to go to Paris and get away from her hum-drum life, there was one big wrench in her plans. Count Franceso went with her, and everybody knows that a middle-aged husband can really cramp your courtesan style. What actually happened was even more disastrous.
13. She Became a Royal Mistress
Emperor Napoleon didn’t seem to mind that the countess came to his court as a married woman, and Castiglione’s “mission” went very well indeed. Almost as soon as she set foot in Paris, Oldoini was notorious as Napoleon’s mistress, and she took no trouble to hide the affair. Uh, this didn't exactly go well for her.
14. She Was "Divine"
There’s no doubt that the French court was initially obsessed with the countess, and she became the "It Girl" du jour. People called her beauty “a miracle” and named her as "la divinia contessa." You know you’ve made it when someone compares you to a literal goddess. But for all this praise, not everyone was as enamored…
15. She Knew How to Make an Entrance
While at Napoleon’s court, the Countess of Castiglione became famous for more than just her sheet smarts; she was also a fashion plate. Courtiers were delighted with her flamboyant entrances to parties, and her costumes were always impeccable. This sartorial talent even once allowed her to make a legendary statement.
16. She Had a Fatal Flaw
The countess may have had a mystical hold over men—but her allure had one major flaw. She was, in a word, disgustingly vain. Many times, her self-absorption got the better of her and instead of seducing her dancing partner, she only made them yawn. As one of her contemporaries put it more sharply, "After a few moments...she began to get on your nerves."
17. She Had a Romantic Rival
The Countess of Castiglione had no love lost for Empress Eugenie, Napoleon's wife. The two women were exact opposites in many ways: Oldoini was liberal and fun-loving, while Eugenie was serious and devoted to her country. Plus, you know, there was the whole “other woman” thing. But then the Countess took the feud to the next level.
18. She Sent a Scandalous Message
One day, Napoleon was hosting yet another lavish ball, and the countess took the opportunity to flex her power. She not only entered the ballroom with the emperor on her arm, she also did it while wearing a “Queen of Hearts” costume. The fashion choice let Eugenie know that even if she wasn’t Empress, the countess still reigned over Napoleon’s heart. Oh, but it wasn't over yet.
19. She Bared It All
Prim, proper, and dutiful Eugenie had to suffer in contempt when she got the full view of the Countess of Castiglione’s costume—and I do mean the full view. The dress, while dotted with hearts, was almost entirely see-through, and the good old countess wasn’t wearing a corset. Yeah, there’s a reason why it became infamous.
20. The Empress Shamed Her
The countess’s meaning wasn’t lost on Empress Eugenie, and the straight-laced woman ended up getting in a savage comeback. Eugenie reportedly found a way to waltz over to the barely-dressed countess. Once there, she looked the courtesan up and down before sniffing, “The heart is a little low, madam.” Translation: Your cleavage is showing, betch.
21. She Took the First "Selfies"
Between her busy schedule romancing Napoleon, the countess also found time for another juicy hobby: She loved taking vain photos. But unlike our pitiful selfies, Oldoini turned self-obsession into a cottage industry—in fact, it's what she's famous for today. After teaming up with photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson, Oldoini amassed over 700 19th-century "selfies."
22. She Stole Her Husband's Money
Although infidelity is certainly close to #1 on the list of marital sins, the Countess of Castiglione didn’t stop there. Aside from taking up with Napoleon III in full view of her husband Francesco, the countess also literally bankrupted the man with her expensive tastes. Hey, you think a face that beautiful comes for free?
23. Her Husband Got Revenge
In hindsight, it’s not a very good idea to send a teenager into enemy territory with instructions to sleep her way to the top. Soon enough, it all came crashing down. Turns out that while Napoleon and the countess were very pleased with themselves, Francesco wasn’t so ecstatic, and her bitter husband soon demanded a separation. And that wasn't all.
24. Her Count Abandoned Her
In 1857, barely a year after the well-heeled couple traveled to Paris, Count Francesco left court for his native Italy in a huff, leaving his young, impressionable wife behind. The separation wasn’t just an idle threat, either. He later scrawled furiously: “Our separation is irrevocable.” As we’ll see later, though, Francesco wasn’t even done yet…
25. She Took Provocative Photographs
Surprising almost no one, Oldoini wasn’t afraid to be very risqué in her photographs—but her most scandalous photos were also her most bizarre. The countess infamously snapped pictures that exposed her bare feet and legs. Though this might sound tame, these poses were so indecent by 19th-century standards, she had to crop out her face.
26. Napoleon Dumped Her
In the end, Oldoini’s illicit dalliance with Napoleon III was as short-lived as it was tragic. By 1860, their affair had soured, and the countess had completely lost favor at court. The reasons for her sudden fall from grace remain a private mystery.
27. She Stayed Single
Oldoini never did reconcile with her husband—and though this would get her into trouble later, she didn’t much mind for the time being. She returned to Italy only briefly after her royal affair fell apart, but she just couldn't stay away from her beloved France. She went back in 1861 and stayed for good...getting into a lot more trouble in the meantime.
28. She Sold Her Body
When Oldoini broke up with Napoleon III, she didn’t stop “entertaining,” and she continued to have hot and heavy affairs with a series of important suitors throughout her life. She wasn’t cheap, either. Reportedly, the Marquess Richard Seymour Conway once offered her 1 million francs for just 12 hours of her “company.”
29. She Helped Create a Country
Listen, girls know how to get things done. Even though it took the virtual dissolution of her marriage, the Countess of Castiglione did eventually succeed in her original mission. In 1861, Italy unified into an official kingdom, thanks in no small part to the countess’s tireless, breathy efforts. Go get ‘em, girl.
30. She Had a Disturbing Reaction to Aging
Oldoini did not cope well with aging, and her insecurities soon took on deranged proportions. Unable to confront her fading looks, the middle-aged countess insisted on spending her final years in black-colored rooms with closed blinds and no mirrors. Not even she was entitled look at the waning beauty of the Countess of Castiglione. And then it got worse…
31. Her Photos Took a Dark Turn
Despite her self-exile later in life, the Countess of Castiglione still found time to do the occasional photoshoot.…but the results were chilling. Critics have noted how “morbid” her late period images are, with the countess doing things like placing herself inside a coffin and posing with the corpse of her late terrier pup. Um…
32. She Forced Her Son to Model
Oldoini showed an eerie attachment to her only son Giorgio, but it didn't stop at doting. She also insisted on photographing him constantly, pulling him into many of her projects and often making him serve as her stand-in when she set up shots. As a result, he became the most photographed child of the 19th century.
33. She Made Famous Friends
It wasn’t all disreputable behavior in the court of Napoleon III, and the countess’s proximity to the emperor threw her into the paths of some of the most important figures in Europe at the time, including legendary German statesman Otto von Bismarck, who was like Angela Merkel before Angela Merkel was cool.
34. She Became a Recluse
In her later years, the Countess of Castiglione barely left her house, considering it the height of mortification to show her slightly wrinkled face to the masses. When she did leave, she would wear dark veils and only go out at night so she could cover all evidence of her “shameful” age. Sadly, as we'll see, she might have had a darker reason for this behavior.
35. She Was Arrogant
Sure, the countess was beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep. Her memoirs reveal some disturbing and embarrassing details. In her own writings, she refers to herself in the third person. One choice cringey line?” The Eternal Father did not know what he was creating the day he sent her into the world.” I just gagged, and not in the good way.
36. She Lived Through Terrors
In 1871, things weren’t looking good for the Countess of Castiglione. Prussia had just absolutely destroyed France in the Franco-Prussian war, and German forces were considering occupying Paris and threatening the countess’s luxurious way of life. But it turns out that Oldoini really shone when her back was up against the wall….
37. She Saved France
Even after her tenure as a royal mistress, the countess played an important role in European politics. While Germany was considering occupying France, Oldoini’s old friend Otto von Bismarck called her up personally and set up a secret meeting to ask her advice on the matter. The countess’s totally unbiased response? “Nah, you don’t wanna do that.” Guess what? He listened.
38. Her Vanity Knew No Bounds
If Oldoini counted you among her closest friends, you might get a ridiculous memento from her. Throughout her life, the countess made use of her famous photography habit and would often send albums to her nearest and dearest…all filled with picture after picture of her. Gee thanks Virginia, you really shouldn’t have.
39. She Was a Pioneer
Before you go accusing Oldoini of being a good-for-nothing influencer, consider this: She was deeply involved in the production of her "selfie" photos, essentially acting as her own art director. She was notoriously obsessive about this aspect of her work, repositioning the camera with persnickety precision when she didn’t like what she saw.
40. She "Photoshopped" Herself
The countess was one of the first airbrushers. Hand-painted photographs were a luxurious novelty at the time, so naturally Oldoini made the best use of them she could. Whenever she wasn’t perfectly satisfied with a photograph, she’d use hand-painting to soften her unflattering angles and put herself in the best light. Mariah Carey could never.
41. She Was the First Supermodel
Some scholars argue that the Countess of Castiglione wasn’t just the first model of our time—she was also the first supermodel too. Her photographs weren’t just about the clothes she was wearing but also about who was wearing them, putting Oldoini up with the likes of Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.
42. She Had Obsessive Fans
Despite her prickly nature, the Countess had rabid fans long after she passed. The poet and dandy Robert de Montesquiou was obsessed with her even when she was alive, and his ardor only grew. He eventually collected over 400 photos in her massive collection, which are now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
43. She Predicted a Famous Art Movement
The Countess of Castiglione is sometimes called “The Queen of Surrealism.” Her playful photoshoots anticipated the Surrealist aesthetic that would dominate the art scene after she passed In one meta photo, she peers at the viewer through a camera—drawing attention to to the ways she's both looking at you while you're looking at her.
44. She Wanted to Go World-Wide
Believe it or not, the countess never had a large-scale public exhibition of her photos. This was all supposed to change at the turn of the century, when the aging model finally had big plans to display her collection of over 700 photos at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. Most tragically, this was not to be…
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45. She Missed Her Destiny
After a lifetime of being camera ready, Oldoini passed on November 28, 1899. She would not live to see the Exposition where she planned to debut her photos. By dying in 1899, she also missed out on the 20th century—an era where photography would only continue to dominate media and society. Rest in peace, you OG diva.
46. She Was a Mean Girl
In case it's not clear yet, the Countess of Castiglione wasn’t a girl’s girl. Uh, not by any stretch of the imagination. She actively spurned the company of other women, often refusing to even talk to them while she was at balls. Instead, she preferred to stand in the middle of the room and let men fawn over her “as if she were a shrine.”
47. Her Husband Tried to Punish Her
Sometime during her separation proceedings, the Countess of Castiglione’s estranged husband decided to ramp up the bitterness and do truly really horrific. He tried to claim custody of their only son Giorgio, using his wife’s lavish lifestyle as proof of her bad mothering. The countess’s response was swift and brutal.
48. She Gave a Cruel Payback
When Francesco tried to claim custody of her only beloved son Giorgio, the Countess of Castiglione didn't take it lying down. Instead, she sent her ex a “present” in the mail. When he opened it, he was horrified. It was a seemingly innocent photograph of the beautiful countess dressed up in a luxurious gown—but when the count looked closer, his blood ran cold.
49. She Threatened Her Ex
Oldoini's photograph was a warning shot to her estranged husband: In the portrait, the well-dressed countess was also holding a knife in her hand, half-hidden in the folds of her dress. The best part? She titled the photo “La Venegance,” just to make her message extra clear. Wouldn’t you know, she got custody of Giorgio for the rest of his life.
50. She Suffered an Unimaginable Tragedy
The Countess of Castiglione’s self-seclusion later in her life was rooted not just in vanity but also in tragedy. In 1879, little Giorgio passed from smallpox, predeceasing his utterly bereft mother by a cruel 20 years. Suddenly, her regime of funereal black rooms, veils, and never leaving the house makes tragic sense.
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