Dakota Cameron
Gold Member
- Points
- 26
Nope, meet Tilly Devine. eg, Madam Razor.
British born Matilda “Tilly” Devine was a notorious Sydney madam who had a prolific criminal career spanning 60 years. She had a complete disregard for authority and her life was marred by a long list of criminal convictions ranging from prostitution, indecent language, offensive behavior, assault and attempted murder. She was constantly in conflict with society and fought back with her sharp tongue and bare hands. Her violent reputation and involvement in organized crime earns her a place as a Tough Nut.
Tilly capitalised on an anomaly in the NSW Vagrancy Act 1902 that prevented men to profit from the earnings of prostitutes. She decided to open up her own brothels around Palmer Street and established herself as one of Sydney’s most powerful madams. She used her money to build a lucrative brothel network in Sydney, operating in the inner suburbs of Darlinghurst, Paddington and East Sydney. She and Jim used cocaine to foster drug addiction in the sex workers to ensure loyalty and because the prostitutes preferred payment in cocaine rather than in cash.
Tilly had a bitter rivalry with another notorious madam of the day, Kate Leigh, and they fought to gain control of the city’s brothels and unlicensed liquor shops. Both women maintained their power with gangs of men who slashed their victims and their rivals with razors.
World War ll provided Tilly with many opportunities and she profited from the high demand for brothel services when local and allied servicemen passed through Sydney. She flaunted her wealth and held lavish parties, draped herself in diamonds and furs and generously supported the war effort. She looked after her workers too; pampered and protected them if they did their job. However if they were caught cheating her, she’d often beat them as a parting gift.
At the height of her career, Devine owned more than 30 brothels and numerous properties around Sydney...
Success sounds familiar though. The way we have evolved in this industry amazes me.
British born Matilda “Tilly” Devine was a notorious Sydney madam who had a prolific criminal career spanning 60 years. She had a complete disregard for authority and her life was marred by a long list of criminal convictions ranging from prostitution, indecent language, offensive behavior, assault and attempted murder. She was constantly in conflict with society and fought back with her sharp tongue and bare hands. Her violent reputation and involvement in organized crime earns her a place as a Tough Nut.
Tilly capitalised on an anomaly in the NSW Vagrancy Act 1902 that prevented men to profit from the earnings of prostitutes. She decided to open up her own brothels around Palmer Street and established herself as one of Sydney’s most powerful madams. She used her money to build a lucrative brothel network in Sydney, operating in the inner suburbs of Darlinghurst, Paddington and East Sydney. She and Jim used cocaine to foster drug addiction in the sex workers to ensure loyalty and because the prostitutes preferred payment in cocaine rather than in cash.
Tilly had a bitter rivalry with another notorious madam of the day, Kate Leigh, and they fought to gain control of the city’s brothels and unlicensed liquor shops. Both women maintained their power with gangs of men who slashed their victims and their rivals with razors.
World War ll provided Tilly with many opportunities and she profited from the high demand for brothel services when local and allied servicemen passed through Sydney. She flaunted her wealth and held lavish parties, draped herself in diamonds and furs and generously supported the war effort. She looked after her workers too; pampered and protected them if they did their job. However if they were caught cheating her, she’d often beat them as a parting gift.
At the height of her career, Devine owned more than 30 brothels and numerous properties around Sydney...
Success sounds familiar though. The way we have evolved in this industry amazes me.
