This candid and heartbreakingly honest memoir recounts the life of Sylvia Kristel, the iconic star of the 1970s who became famous for her role in the erotic Emmanuelle films. In 1974, after extensive negotiations with censors, the film became a global sensation, with Kristel's image as a young, naked woman on a wicker chair captivating audiences worldwide. Overnight, she achieved international superstardom, even addressing the Brazilian parliament at the height of her fame, and emerged as a symbol of sexual liberation. Kristel's journey began in a dysfunctional family with a strict religious upbringing. After winning the Miss TV Europe competition in 1973, she pursued her ambition to act, landing the role of the innocent seductress in Emmanuelle. The success of the three films catapulted her into Hollywood's elite, where she mingled with the rich and beautiful of cinema's golden age. However, she quickly became typecast as Emmanuelle, often relegated to roles that echoed that image, including adaptations of ‘Lady Chatterly's Lover’ and a biopic of Mata Hari. Ultimately, the very innocence that made her famous became a burden, leading to a struggle with alcohol and drugs as her tumultuous family life unraveled. This memoir reveals the true story behind one of Europe's most celebrated cinema icons and the heavy toll of her beauty and innocence.
