Mata Hari: The Exotic Dancer Who Became WWI's Most Notorious Spy

This online article by Evan Andrews for HISTORY® looks at the life and death of the infamous Mata Hari. The Dutch woman, born Margaretha Zelle, desired a life of adventure which led to an early marriage, divorce and time in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) before becoming a stage performer and self-described courtesan. While called "the greatest woman spy of the century," her actual espionage activities are unclear and sensationalized due to her persona and lifestyle. This article seeks to separate fact from fiction in Mata Hari's actions in World War I.