May Belfort facts for kids

Quick facts for kids May Belfort
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: May Belfort, 1895.
Born	c. 1872 Ireland
Died	1929 United States
Nationality	Irish
Occupation	Cabaret performer
Known for	Singer, Actress, Comedian

May Belfort (born around 1872, died 1929) was a talented Irish singer, actress, and comedian. She became very famous across Europe and America for her unique performances.

Life and Career

May Egan was born in Ireland in about 1872. She started her career as a comedian and singer in the busy London music halls. These were places where people watched different kinds of live entertainment.

Later, she moved to Paris, France. There, she performed her special, funny songs at popular places like the café des Décadents and the Petit Casino. She was known for her silly, nonsensical songs.

May Belfort was so popular that she asked the famous artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec to create a poster of her in 1895. This poster showed her wearing a bright red dress with her black cat, which was often with her. Toulouse-Lautrec really liked her and painted her more than once.

During her career, May Belfort traveled and performed in many countries. She entertained audiences in Russia, South Africa, and the United States. She was also good friends with another famous performer, Jane Avril.

Later in her life, May Belfort had to stop performing because of health problems. She also lost her money due to some bad investments. She ended up working as a rug weaver and lived a simple life. May Belfort passed away in the United States in 1929 after being sick for some time.

Images for kids

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  May Belfort by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

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  May Belfort bowing, a lithograph by Toulouse-Lautrec.

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  A portrait of May Belfort.

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  Another artwork of Miss May Belfort by Toulouse-Lautrec.

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  A medium plate artwork of Miss May Belfort.

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  May Belfort bowing, 1895.

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  Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, May Belfort, 1895.