Directory of members
Alexandra Adedzwa
Alexandra is an incredibly passionate, gifted storyteller, author and attorney.
She has been a writer since age 6, and has a natural ability to pull you in with her charming, witty and articulate storytelling. She exudes warmth, charisma and has an infectious enthusiasm for her craft.
Alexandra hosts monthly, live presentations to a global audience. Her particular area of interest is History.
Attendees at her live events praise her ability to make you feel like you've been transported back in Time, to witness History.
Alexandra's presentation on the French portraitist to Queen Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth Louise Vigee LeBrun has been added to the painter's archives in The National Gallery of Canada.
Below you will find a few video recordings from her events.
For more, check out the YouTube channel HISTORY ADDICTS.
Enjoy!!
LA BELLE OTERO
She is described as Europe's last great courtesan. The poor grill who would become emblematic of The Belle Époque.
At least six men ended their lives because they could not have her, thus earning her the moniker of "Su*cide Siren"
This Spanish singer, dancer and actress from humble beginnings would have 5 crowned, heads of state/kings at her 30th birthday party. Her power over men was the stuff of legend.
Otero was a global superstar before television and the internet were invented and the most photographer woman of the 1800s.
How did this pauper grow up to rule over kings?
would have 5 European kings with her at her 30th birthday party.
THE MAYERLING INCIDENT
30th January, 1889. Mayerling Imperial Hunting Lodge near Vienna. 7:30am.
A valet approached his employer's bedroom door for the scheduled 7:30am wake up call. He knocked repeatedly, but no response came.
Shunning protocol, the valet and another guest broke down the bedroom door with an axe. They were confronted with a shocking scene: the bodies of Crown Prince Rudolf, sole heir to the Habsburg empire & Baroness Marie Vetsera. This singular incident changed the course of History.
Their apparent life ending pact would lead to the series of events that paved the way for World War One.
THE SERPENT & THE DIPLOMAT
In the 60s and 70s, thousands of Western tourists travelled along "The Hippie Trail".
Disillusioned and war-weary, they sought spiritual enlightenment, adventure, and the pursuit of alternative lifestyles, as they backpacked through Western Europe and Southeast Asia.
But some of them never made it home. There was a predator waiting for them.
A serial killer.
Charles Sobhraj was a chameleon/master of disguise who spoke 7 languages, was wanted by the police in 23 countries and had escaped prison 15 times. Highly intelligent and extraordinarily manipulative, Sobhraj and his Canadian girlfriend, evaded authorities in multiple countries for decades.
A 28 year old, junior Dutch diplomat in Bangkok began investigating the string of murders in his spare time. Despite having no relevant training, Herman Knippenberg was the linchpin that helped the authorities capture this elusive murderer.
EDWARD VIII & WALLIS SIMPSON: ROYAL FAIRYTALE?
We have all heard of the fabulous, love story, haven't we? The King was Oh, so in love with a twice divorced, American woman named Wallis Simpson that he willingly abdicated the throne in order to marry her.
But is that how it all really went down?
EDWARD VIII AND WALLIS SIMPSON
GIACOMO CASANOVA
Without question, Giovanni Giacomo Casanova is one of History's greatest seducers.
He was also a spy, a poet, a diplomat, a lawyer, a violin player, a priest and a writer.
He is the founder of the French Lottery.
He lived many different lives in many different places.
Let's revisit it all through his eye
The Female Pope: Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphili
Did you know that a woman ruled the Vatican for 10 years? Yes, it's true. Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphillij overcame many obstacles and found herself overseeing the oldest Old Boys' Club in the world. How did she do it? Watch and find out
The Female Pope Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphili
Faberge’s Imperial Easter Eggs
In this presentation, we explore the relationship between the master jeweler Karl Faberge and The Russian Imperial family (Romanovs). We will also explore the story behind each one of the 50 Imperial Easter Eggs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeEBPCmdmpM&ab_channel=HISTORYADDICTS
Pamela Churchill: The 20th Century’s Greatest Courtesan
At the height of World War 2, Winston Churchill desperately needed military assistance from the US. His pleas went unanswered until his daughter-in-law intervened. How did this bored, aristocratic girl from Dorset in England get transformed into the most sought after woman in the 20th century? She dated all the world's most powerful men, created an American president and died as the US ambassador to France.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZG3Ch0O4ec&ab_channel=HISTORYADDICTS
The Aviator and The Watchmaker:
In this presentation, we explore the story of Brazilian "Father of Aviation" Alberto Santos-Dumont and the infancy of the aviation industry . We will also see how his friendship with Louis Cartier led to the prevalence of the modern wristwatch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--gbCYQOVNM&t=4s&ab_channel=HISTORYADDICTS
Cats and Witches:
A detailed look into the Witch burnings in Europe, the Salem witch trials, the Malleus Malificarum and how the legacy of the "Burning Times" continues to impact women today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W4T908w6l0&ab_channel=HISTORYADDICTS
Elizabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun:
Marie Antoinette's portraitist is regarded as Europe's first modern woman. She was highly sought after by all of Europe's royal families thanks to her talent and she lived an incredibly interesting life. She even turned down the chance to paint a Pope! She was the highest paid portraitist in Europe in the 18th century. We will explore her story and look at her most beautiful paintings.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N2uFPi9Q-wiZWwBFgdbYVT8wFmy8VjQq/view?usp=share_link
Aphrodite and the Femme Fatale:
In Greek Mythology, Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love. But did you know about her Middle Eastern origins? In this presentation, I delve into her past as Astarte the Phoenician Goddess of love, her Roman counterpart Venus and other ancient representations. I then bring her into the present as the embodiment of the Femme Fatale
https://drive.google.com/file/d/199NoiACMlrMtfS88YgVrf90aKUkY4paU/view?usp=share_link
The Uncrowned King of Italy: Gianni Agnelli
Let us explore the story of Gianni Agnelli. He inherited the FIAT empire when he was 24 years old, making him the richest man in Italy and the head of Italy's most powerful family. Industrialist. Playboy. Rake of the Riviera. Billionaire. Husband. Father. King. He did it all, and we will look into his fascinating life.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KHw54iLtmjf24jBjm7kVdjjedtOByROb/view?usp=share_link