Born into a working-class Prussian family, Caroline ended up in Brussels as a teen and quickly married a British upper-class man. The couple left Europe and arrived in Melbourne in 1871, partly to gain a fresh start, and partly to avoid the opprobrium of his family. Left to her own devices when her police officer husband was stationed in remote Victoria, she ingeniously turned to operating brothels to support herself, likely drawing on her own experience in Brussels.
Her primary establishment, strategically located near Parliament House, quickly became a lavishly furnished haven catering to Melbourne's elite, showcasing her remarkable business acumen. She adeptly navigated Melbourne's economic landscape, flourishing during the boom of the 1880s, enduring the depression of the 1890s, and facing the moral panic of the 1900s. Her death in 1908 marked the end of an era for Melbourne, particularly regarding its stance on prostitution, which transitioned from tolerance to complete prohibition within her lifetime.
Madame Brussels offers a compelling biography, reconstructing Madame Brussels' story, guiding readers through a fascinating and vibrant period of Melbourne's history in this significant biography of an Australian icon.
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