Evelyn Nesbit was born on December 25, 1884, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. She grew up in relative poverty, and at the age of fourteen, she began working with her mother at a department store in Philadelphia to help support the family. It was during this time that she caught the eye of a local artist who recruited her as a model.
By the early 1900s, Evelyn had relocated to New York City, where she quickly became one of the most sought-after models of her era. Her beauty and grace caught the attention of prominent artists such as Dana Gibson, Frederick S. Church, and James Carroll Beckwith. She graced the covers of fashion magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Cosmopolitan, solidifying her status as a top model.
Evelyn's life took a dramatic turn in 1906 when her lover, Stanford White, a well-known architect, was murdered by her husband, Harry Kendall Thaw. The highly publicized trial that followed became known as "The Trial of the Century" and captivated the nation. Despite the scandal and controversy surrounding the case, Evelyn remained a prominent figure in the public eye.
After her tumultuous marriage to Harry Kendall Thaw, Evelyn gave birth to a son named Russell. Though she initially rejected a marriage proposal from actor John Barrymore, she ultimately found herself at the center of a scandalous love triangle that captured the attention of the media and the public.
Throughout her life, Evelyn Nesbit faced triumphs and tragedies, scandals and successes. Her legacy as a model, actress, and central figure in one of the most infamous trials in American history continues to fascinate and intrigue to this day.