Born 201 years ago--January 15, 1824--young Normandy native Alphonsine Pleissis was reputedly sold into prostitution by her father. Once she lived in Paris, she renamed herself as Marie Duplessis and became well-known as a discreet and witty courtesan and hostess of a salon. She died in 1847 when she was 23. The writer Alexandre Dumas fils, who had a relationship with her for several months, wrote a popular novel "La Dame aux Camélias" that fictionalized her life. The character of the golden-hearted escort became a frequent theme over the years. Dumas' play based on his novel was also popular, inspiring Giuseppe Verdi's beloved opera "La Traviata." Marie thus inspired the immortal opera role of Violetta.
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