Delve into the scandalous world of the Mitford Sisters, focusing on Unity Mitford's extraordinary life and her controversial ties to Hitler. Discover their complex family dynamics and contrasting political beliefs, revealing their influence on 20th-century celebrity culture. Explore Unity's background from Swastika, Ontario, and her troubling obsession with fascism. The discussion contrasts her privileged existence with the dark realities of Nazi Germany, culminating in a tragic narrative of loyalty and downfall.
The Mitford sisters exemplify the contrasting ideologies of the era, with Unity's fascism starkly opposing Jessica's communism, reflecting complex family dynamics.
Unity Mitford's obsessive pursuit of Hitler led to a tragic life marked by extreme ideology and the consequences of her radical beliefs, ultimately resulting in a failed suicide attempt.
Deep dives
The Impact of Dr. D. Vaden
The involvement of Dr. D. Vaden serves as a pivotal moment that catalyzes the launch of the podcast. His enthusiastic encouragement and support inspire the hosts to pursue their long-held desire to create a show titled 'Treacherous Jezebel.' Notably, he helps them with the technical aspects of the setup, showcasing his commitment to their success. This foundation of mentorship fosters a spirit of gratitude and excitement among the hosts as they embark on their podcasting journey.
The Enigmatic Mitford Sisters
Unity Mitford emerges as a fascinating figure among the notorious Mitford sisters, who were prominent figures in 1930s British society. Their personalities ranged from fascism to communism, with Unity passionately aligning herself with Hitler, creating a stark contrast to her sister Jessica, who adopted communist ideologies. The podcast draws parallels between the Mitfords and modern celebrities, likening their notoriety to that of the Kardashians, while emphasizing the Mitfords' literary accomplishments. This complex family dynamic sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Unity’s infatuation with Hitler and the consequences of her radical beliefs.
Unity Mitford's Obsession and Downfall
Unity's obsessive pursuit of Hitler, characterized by her attempts to ingratiate herself into his inner circle, reveals the lengths she would go for her distorted devotion. After a prolonged stalking campaign, she eventually received attention from Hitler, leading to a controversial and ambiguous relationship. The narrative takes a darker turn as it chronicles Unity's failed suicide attempt with a pistol gifted by Hitler, leaving her incapacitated for the remainder of her life. This tragic end underscores the consequences of her extreme ideology and mental turmoil, which ultimately highlights the broader theme of familial and societal pressures during a tumultuous historical period.
Hope everyone is having a great holiday! Today we're releasing a short lil' bonus episode from the patreon archives before we get back into the serious and professional business of podcasting in the new year. A few months ago, Vaden appeared on the forthcoming Treacherous Jezebels podcast, to discuss the life of Unity Valkyrie Freeman-Mitford, the most treacherous of jezebels. Her biography is... shall we say... quite something. Even Hitler had to get his rocks off every once and a while.
(Links to Treacherous Jezebels podcast will be added when their website is up!)
We discuss
Who are the Mitford Sisters, and why are they so friggen fascinating