Émilie Bigottini


Émilie Bigottini was a French dancer of Italian ancestry.
The daughter of Francesco Bigottini, a famous harlequin at Paris's Comédie-Italienne, she joined the Opéra ballet at age 17 and led its company until her retirement in 1823, distinguishing herself in the ballets of Louis Milon. Napoleon I of France was one of her fervent admirers.
Despite her numerous liaisons, she escaped the reputation for immorality which afflicted most of her contemporaries in the dance world. She was considered as an example of good artistic taste, svelte, precise and excelling in mime.
She had several children, all out of wedlock: