Isadora Duncan Was A World-Famous Dancer, But Today She Is Most Remembered For Her Strange Passing
One of the most iconic dancers of all time, Isadora Duncan lived a life that was just as dramatic and exciting as anything she performed on stage. But it wasn’t all glittering parties and illicit love affairs. Over the course of her short life, she was stalked by tragedy — and one final misfortune would overshadow her entire career.
A wild card
For years, Isadora was known as the wild card of the contemporary dance scene, eschewing tradition in favor of her own unconventional techniques. In public, she drank heavily, courted scandal, and entertained male and female lovers alike. But in private, she was haunted by the dark twists and turns of her remarkable life.
Tragic accident
After a tragic accident claimed the lives of her two young children, Isadora spiraled into depression and despair. But even then, she continued to live a charmed existence, traveling the world and staying in luxury hotels. Until one fateful day in the fall of 1927, when she would go down in history for all the wrong reasons.
Early years
Born in either 1877 or 1878 in San Francisco, California, Isadora was the youngest of four siblings. Her father, Jacob, was an engineer and banker with a passion for the arts — an interest that he clearly instilled in his children. In fact, sons Augustin and Raymond and daughter Elizabeth would each go on to pursue careers on the stage.
Facing poverty
It was Isadora, though, who would go on to win fortune and fame — despite an uncertain start in life. While his youngest daughter was still an infant, Jacob was caught engaging in illegal financial activity, prompting her mother Mary to file for divorce. Previously, the family had been comfortably off, but now they faced an uncertain future.
