She went from the streets of Paris to a secret affair with the future King of England, to a courtroom defense of her own husband's murder. She was acquitted — and lived to 80.
Early Life
Marguerite Alibert was born in Paris in 1890 to working-class parents. After a difficult adolescence, including time in a strict convent boarding school where she became pregnant as a teenager, she struggled to support herself and her daughter and turned to sex work in Paris, eventually working under the patronage of a prominent brothel owner catering to wealthy clients.
Wealthy Patrons
In 1907, Alibert began a years-long relationship with a wealthy, married wine merchant, receiving substantial financial support in the process. After that relationship ended, she caught the attention of the British royal family's social circle. In 1917, while serving in France during World War I, Prince Edward — the future King Edward VIII — began a secret affair with Alibert, exchanging around twenty love letters before losing interest and moving on to another relationship. Alibert later used those letters to secure a financial settlement from Edward.
Marriage and Money
Alibert married and quickly divorced a French air force officer, receiving another financial settlement, before marrying wealthy Egyptian businessman Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey in 1922, converting to Islam as part of the marriage. The relationship deteriorated as Fahmy, who had other wives, refused to grant her a divorce, leaving Alibert feeling trapped in an increasingly volatile marriage marked by frequent conflict.
The Killing
On July 9, 1923, during an argument at London's Savoy Hotel, Alibert shot and killed her husband with a .32-caliber pistol.
The Trial
At her trial two months later, Alibert's defense portrayed her as a victim of her husband's abuse, while her own scandalous past was largely kept from the jury. She was acquitted of all charges.
Later Life
Following her acquittal, Alibert withdrew from public life and lived quietly in Paris until her death on January 2, 1971, at age 80.
FAQ
Was Marguerite Alibert convicted of murder?
No. Despite shooting her husband, she was acquitted at trial after presenting herself as a victim of his abuse.
Was Marguerite Alibert really involved with the future King of England?
Yes. She had a secret affair with Prince Edward, later King Edward VIII, during World War I, and later used his letters to secure a financial settlement.
How did Marguerite Alibert die?
She died of natural causes in Paris in 1971, at age 80.