Monique Von Cleef

The Netherlands-born beauty was a nurse in her early adult years, but a chance meeting in Holland with a photographer of fetish themed erotica would route her life in a most unusual and unexpected direction. Ms. Von Cleef quickly pursued a new career (and lifestyle interest), which would lead her to an iconic status as the most celebrated professional dominatrix of the 20th century. Relocating to the United States circa 1960, she found swift and great success with her "Houses of Pain" . These establishments were regularly raided, always resulting in blazing national headlines mentioning dungeons, torture devices, and little black books listing many celebrity phone numbers. As well, she was famously associated with Anton La Vey, founder and leader of the Church of Satan. Such sensationalism brought her a welcome notoriety(and numerous clients), though she was subsequently deported back to Holland. She remained active as a Mistress for many years, later returning to The States briefly. Her steamy memoirs were published(titled "The House of Pain"), being the first autobiographical account of a professional dominant mistress. Monique Von Cleef died in Antwerp, Belgium, Feb. 4, 2005, leaving a unique legacy in the world's BD/SM community.