Glamorous Facts About The Countess Of Castiglione, The First Model
Virginia Oldoini—known better to history as the Countess of Castiglione—was mad, bad, and dangerous to know.
The Italian aristocrat’s legendary beauty and photographic misadventures turned her into the world’s first model, but that’s not what made her infamous.
From her bedroom exploits to her tragic downfall, the Countess of Castiglione is one historical figure worth knowing.
Countess of Castiglione Facts
1. She Was Born Into Privilege
On March 22, 1837, the Countess was born into her very own gilded, velvet world. The daughter of Tuscan nobles, her birth name was—deep breath for this—Virginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoini.
As her name implies, Oldoini’s parents had big expectations for the little girl…expectations that would soon ruin her entire life.
2. Her Beauty Was Legendary
Growing up, it was clear to everyone who knew the girl that the young Oldoini was going to be a mega babe. She had long, wavy blonde hair, a refined face, and a legendary figure.
By the time she was a teen, men were regularly trying to bed the beauty. Creepily enough, her parents were totally fine with this—in fact, they took advantage of it in the worst way possible.
3. She Was a Child Bride
When Virginia was just 17 years old, her parents wasted no time in marrying her off to Francesco Verasis, the Count of Castiglione. Although the union gave Virginia the name we know her by today, it didn’t give her a whole lot else. The count was 12 years older than the girl, and not much of a looker. But it only got worse.
