How A Young 18th Century Woman Named Kitty Fisher Became The Original Kim Kardashian
A commoner from England became just as famous as the royal family during a brief but whirlwind life
Love her or otherwise, Kim Kardashian is one of the most unique celebrities in history. Essentially famous for being famous, she’s built a billion-dollar empire based on being known by many people but not necessarily for doing anything fame-worthy. However, she’s not the first to earn such notoriety. Consider a young 18th century English woman named Kitty Fisher, who became one of the most talked about people of her time despite coming from humble origins.
Born Catherine Maria Fischer in 1741 in London, one of the original celebrities came to widespread attention during her teen years when she was formally introduced to London’s high society. The daughter of a hatmaker, her supposed beauty attracted a number of suitors, including those from more regal bearing who helped her gain a foothold in high society.
Although the exact details of her social introduction are unclear, it’s believed that either highly regarded men such as Commodore Augustus Keppel or Lieutenant-General Anthony George Martin were responsible for her debut. Once she gained access to elite social circles, she never looked…
