Brat girls are known for their boldness, independence, and authentic self-expression. This is similar to being a ‘motomami’ or a ‘bichota’ when it comes to female empowerment. Charli XCX started this trend with her album Brat, which features hits like ‘Apple.’
Now, everyone wants to be a brat, even Kamala Harris, the new candidate for the US Presidency, who has embraced the label in her campaign for the White House. But the lifestyle that brat girls represent isn’t new, and National Geographic has highlighted this by showcasing several historical women who embodied brat values, facing criticism and living life on their own terms.
It’s important to note that bold women or ‘brats’ can do this thanks to their predecessors who set examples in various fields. Like modern brat girls, these historical women dared to live as they wanted, navigating a world where their principles and ideals could be both celebrated and criticized.
Here are five historical women who were pioneers of the brat spirit, according to National Geographic:
Cleopatra VII
Cleopatra VII, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, was a key historical figure who teamed up with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony to protect her kingdom. Augustus Caesar started a propaganda campaign to discredit her, calling her a corrupt and excessively sexual foreigner.
Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian, the first empress of China, was initially a concubine of Emperor Taizong of Tang and later had a romance with Emperor Gaozong. She became an influential advisor and took power after Gaozong’s death in 683. She was later criticized for her romantic escapades, with exaggerated stories about her attraction to young men and her insatiable nature.
Lucrezia Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia, born in 1480, was the illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI. Her family was known for their libertine and hedonistic practices.
Despite her reputation, people at the time praised her for her modesty and grace. In her father’s absence, she managed the Vatican. She was also forced to marry Giovanni Sforza, but the marriage was annulled due to impotence. To salvage his image, Sforza spread rumors of incest between her and her father, which persisted throughout her life.
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire
In 1774, Georgiana Spencer celebrated her 17th birthday by marrying William Cavendish, the Duke of Devonshire. Her home life was anything but conventional. Starting in 1782, her husband’s mistress openly lived with them.
Though she didn’t have as much freedom as her husband, she had a relationship with Prime Minister Charles Grey. She also led an active social life, often attending balls and parties. She supported the Whig party and organized public campaigns for them, even though she couldn’t vote. A 1784 engraving shows Georgiana standing against a rival candidate, highlighting her commitment to female modesty and sexual morality.
George Sand or Aurore Dupin
In 1832, Aurore Dupin took on the pseudonym George Sand and became one of the most unconventional writers in French literature. Defying societal norms, Sand separated from her husband, moved in with her lover Jules Sandeau, and chose to live life on her own terms. She had other lovers, including Frédéric Chopin, Alfred de Musset, and Charles Didier.
Sand’s unconventional lifestyle, which included smoking cigars, staying up late, and wearing men’s clothes, attracted both criticism and admiration. Critics like Alexandre Dumas called her ‘that hermaphrodite genius,’ while Gustave Flaubert believed she was part of the ‘third sex.’ Sand’s unique lifestyle influenced the rise of modern brat girls.
Original article in Spanish for LOS40 Spain.
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