History: Lola Montez & The Web of Impermanence

Cover of "The Woman in Black: The Life of the Fabulous Lola Montez" (1955)

A miniature portrait of Lola Montez By Josef Heigel.

A fabulous life is not exempt from tragedy.This statement unfortunately describes the life of Elizabeth Rosanna Gilbert, or the legend that is Lola Montez. For most of Lola's life, she was caught within the webs of public scrutiny and admiration. She was a polarizing symbol, tethered by society's assumptions of her promiscuity  while also feared for her radical ideas about politics, ethics, and spirituality. A complete mystery, she was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. 
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​“The Woman in Black: The Life of the Fabulous Lola Montez"  is a coming of age story cruelly cut short by the hands of fate. Having been neglected by her mother, Lola's life was a consequence of not having the love that she so desperately yearned for and desired. Fleeing countries, failed marriages, throwing tantrums - her hopelessness can be observed in the decisions that she makes along the way. Throughout her life, she's constantly clinging onto things, only to find herself being taken away from them in the end. 

Impermanence is a central theme in this book. Nothing is owed to us; things can be given or taken away from you without any explanation. Lola, who was once showered in jewels from the King of Bavaria, who once danced upon the stage amongst adoring fans, and who held parties for some of the most powerful and influential people in the country, died in poverty inside of a tenement in Hell's Kitchen with nobody sincerely by her side as a result of maturing syphilis. Lola's life is a testament to the short-lived ecstasy of worldly pleasures, as well as the falsehood in depending on them to satiate your soul. 

However, it would be preposterous to reduce her existence down to the mistakes that she made. Along with her temper, her zest for life was unmatched. She was the anti-thesis of the traditional Victorian woman, unafraid to speak her mind and to dance in the fire of judgement. She was powerful because she knew how to bend and wield others to her desires using not only her beauty, but also her charm. Unloved as a child, she knew how to put on a show to get the love and attention that she wanted.

A photo of Lola Montez. Notice her confidence as she holds a cigarette in her hands. Her posture also denotes a blasé attitude.

When you have too much of something though, the happiness that it brings diminishes. Rather than feeling a sense of gratitude, one images what life could look like otherwise even if that means giving up the superfluousness of extravagance. Maybe there was a part of Lola that wanted a simpler, quieter existence. Maybe we all do, especially in a time where wanting more is praised as ambitious and aspirational. 

This might explain why she decided to leave Europe behind, coming to America to settle in the middle of nowhere-land California. When you're nowhere, there's less of an expectation for you to be something that you are not.  

A drawing of Lola dancing her famous Spider Dance.

A drawing of Lola coming to America, with all of the weeping monarchs of Europe crying behind her.

Although Lola's life came to an abrupt end, her story is not only important but also interesting. She's left a legacy, influencing and inspiring people from all walks of life. She was at the table dining and serving powerful people. She was on stage performing for not so powerful people. She became a myth of herself, a portrayal of something far more complex than she might have intended. Regardless, Lola Montez was one hell of a woman who deserves her flowers the way she likes them (or else she might use her horsewhip on you, really.)

If would like to visit her grave, Lola's burial site is at The Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. The New York Times also has a ton of old articles about Lola's whereabouts which you can access here.