Xaviera Hollander, a name that resonates with more sass and controversy than most people can dream of, is the quintessential figure who sparked jaw-dropping conversations about the taboo worlds of high-class escorts and sexual liberation. Xaviera, originally Xaviera de Vries, was born in Surabaya, Dutch East Indies, in 1943. She soared to prominence in New York City in the 1970s as a celebrated madam and the author of her tell-all memoir, "The Happy Hooker: My Own Story,” published in 1971. Hollander transformed from being a consulate secretary in South Africa to a high-priced escort, and eventually into one of the most infamous madams of New York City. What makes her so intriguing isn’t just the lifestyle she led, but the shocking success she achieved by being completely unapologetic about it.
Xaviera’s rise to fame in the 70s coincided with the sexual revolution — an era when society was just beginning to dip its toes into the muddled waters of sexual freedom and gender norms. True to form, she broke into the literary world by championing a raw and honest perspective on her experiences as an escort and madam. Her straightforward talk about sex and the industry upended conventional moralities and, admittedly, many were provoked. But interestingly, it wasn't just about the salacious details. Her book was a commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide, which tells us something about society’s “private” curiosity on these topics.
The thing about Xaviera that might upset the censorship-loving and morally outraged is how she made a profitable career out of what would commonly be labeled “ill repute.” She didn’t demand pity for her life choices nor did she seek validation from societal norms. Essentially, Hollander capitalized on the world’s curiosity and biases, not by concealing her story but by packaging it with panache. She was a master of her narrative, using it to redefine what empowerment could look like, particularly for women who dared stray from the path some left-leaning groups might designate as “appropriate” or “liberating.”
What did Xaviera do that was so ground-breaking? For starters, she shattered the stereotypes of a helpless woman trapped by her circumstances. In fact, she showcased a narrative of choice and control, beginning her career as a secretary, and systematically rising through the ranks to manage arguably one of the most successful escort businesses of her time. Whether it was the New York authorities who eventually arrested her that year or moralists wagging fingers from distant corners, none of them could quite erase the boldness she introduced to the world.
Hollander didn’t stop with her memoir. She stormed into the publication arena with her scandalous yet wildly popular Penthouse magazine column, "Call Me Madam," between 1971 and 1980. Her contributions were more than just titillating accounts of her life; they exposed hypocrisies and challenged the sterile portrayal of female sexuality in mainstream media. It didn’t win her many politically correct applause but certainly captivated an audience looking for authenticity.
Where is Xaviera now? Today, she continues to live boldly, having transitioned from the realm of notoriety into the worlds of theater, counseling, and hotelier ventures. Based in the Netherlands, her career hardly ended with her New York escapades. She continued to write, produce adult plays, and even turned her Amsterdam abode into a charming "Happy House" bed and breakfast that celebrates the theater and her flamboyant personality.
It's almost amusing to contemplate how somebody who thrived in an industry still routinely condemned had such staying power. Hollander broke barriers, and whether it’s the Victorian-minded clutching their pearls or the self-righteous who drape their disapproval as progressive, her legacy suggests success lying not in the judgments of others but in standing unashamedly by her truth. That's something many in today's ever-offended society might need to hear.
Her journey offers a contentious tapestry of choice, empowerment, and yes, even defiance against the conventional expectations of her era. Intriguingly, she capitalized on a market that understood, albeit secretly, that the puritanical facades of society often shield deeper, unacknowledged curiosities. More than just a figure of the past, Xaviera Hollander’s life echoes as a tome on courageously living one’s life unyieldingly, while prodding others to question their tightly-held conventions.