Life in a Flash: The Fate of the Early 20th Century's Most Photographed Woman (10 photos)
Every era defines its own icons. Glancing through vintage photographs from the early 20th century, one face appears time and again—the captivating beauty of actress and singer Lily Elsie. Despite taking frequent breaks from the spotlight and enduring a troubled marriage, she went on to become the undisputed face—and most photographed woman—of the Edwardian era. 
Lily Elsie, a star at the turn of the 20th century.
Born in 1886 to a dressmaker and a theater worker, the future star discovered her talent early in life. As a child, she was already treading the boards of music halls and variety theaters. Her doll-like features and painful bashfulness earned her the nickname "Little Elsie." In her youth, Elsie Hodder adopted the stage name Lily Elsie. 
Extravagant hats became a defining feature of Lily Elsie's iconic style.
Despite her striking beauty and natural charm, Elsie was painfully shy. To build her confidence, producer George Edwardes enlisted the famous British fashion designer Lucile to craft a memorable signature look. Lucile put a heavy emphasis on extravagant, statement hats—and Elsie soon amassed an extraordinary collection. 
Lily Elsie starring in The Merry Widow. 
True stardom arrived in 1907, when the young actress starred in the London production of Franz Lehár's operetta
The Merry Widow
. The show's overwhelming success established Lily Elsie as the most photographed woman of the Edwardian era, with picture postcards of her flying off shelves across Europe. 
Nearly every British soldier carried a portrait of Lily Elsie with him to the front line.
Beverley Baxter, a member of the British Parliament, later recalled that during World War I, there was hardly an English soldier on the front line whose trench didn't feature a postcard of Lily Elsie. Her gentle, endearing face was often the last thing many soldiers saw before meeting their end. 
In 1911, Lily Elsie married John Ian Bullough, the son of a wealthy textile magnate. Shortly after, plagued by frequent illness, she stepped away from the stage. She made a triumphant return in 1916 to stellar acclaim, but following this comeback, she abandoned the theater once more. The couple retreated to the countryside, where they lived for ten years. However, married life brought Elsie little happiness. Unable to have children, the couple grew further apart, eventually divorcing in 1930. 
The glamorous yet timid Lily Elsie.
Following the divorce, Elsie's health steadily declined, and she suffered severe bouts of depression. She spent the rest of her days moving between sanatoriums and nursing homes. The former star reportedly found relief in the fact that those around her had no idea of her past fame. Lily Elsie passed away alone in 1962 at the age of 76. 
Lily Elsie, the ultimate postcard beauty. 
Lily Elsie — British actress and singer.
