A little-known empress from the early to mid-17th century was the Infanta Maria Anna of Spain. Not only was she married to an important leader of the Holy Roman Empire, but she was also a member of the infamous Habsburgs—one of history's most powerful, but twisted, dynasties.
During an interview to an American reporter, Charles Ponzi shamelessly justified his crimes.
Joseph P Kennedy Jr was the golden boy of the influential Kennedy dynasty, destined to stamp his family name on the highest echelon of world power. However, a friendly rivalry with the brother, who eventually realized his dream, led to a tragically abrupt ending for the ambitious wunderkind.
Alice Roosevelt was one supremely naughty girl—especially for the daughter of a President. One of the most beautiful women and most raucous socialites of her time, Alice lit up newspapers around the world with her antics, driving her father Theodore Roosevelt wild. Only, it wasn’t all harmless fun. Behind the doors of her stately homes, Alice hid dark secrets that only saw the full light of day after her end.
In 1983, scientists found a rock containing fossilized microbes that had come to Earth from Mars.
Bobby Fischer rose through the ranks from a young age to become the King (and Queen and Knight and Rook…) of Chess. But amid all his accolades and admiration, trouble was brewing inside his singular mind, leading some to believe that his brain, which had gotten him so far in life, turned on him in the end.
When the Countess of Castiglione’s estranged husband tried to get custody of her son, she sent him a threatening photo of her gripping a knife.
Ian Campbell, 11th Duke of Argyll was a Scottish nobleman who spent his life in pursuit of money. Whether he was fishing for a rich wife or Spanish doubloons, Campbell was always on the lookout for a payday. But, instead of finding his riches, this Scottish peer only managed to find a cupboard full of scandals. Read these egregious facts about Ian Campbell, 11th Duke of Argyll.
In the Gilded Age, Caroline Astor ruled New York. Born Caroline Schermerhorn, she was already a member of one of the oldest families in the metropolis before she married into the obscenely wealthy Astor family. Soon enough her lavish parties, rigid etiquette, and clique of mean-girl socialites had turned Caroline into the gatekeeper of the New York Elite. And she didn’t become the Mrs. Astor by playing nice.
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