Charli XCX’s album Brat popularized the term “brat girl”, and this buzzy phrase entered every aspect of our daily life, including discussions about history. National Geographic compiled a list of five OG “brat girls” from history, who embodied boldness, independence, and unapologetic self-expression, facing both admiration and criticism.
Cleopatra
Egypt’s last pharaoh Cleopatra made the list due to her political savvy and allyship with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, but also because she made many enemies who painted her as a corrupt, harlot queen.
Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian went down in history as China’s first empress, and National Geographic singled her out as one of history’s “brat girls” due to her scandalous romantic escapades.
Lucrezia Borgia
The Italian noblewoman was the illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI, who came from a long line of partying hedonists. Vicious rumors have followed her all her life, involving everything from incest to poisoning and murder.
Georgiana Cavendish
Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer) aka Duchess of Devonshire was a notable 18th-century aristocrat and socialite. Her love affairs, gambling addiction, and active social life made her the closest thing to a “brat girl” during her era.
George Sand
Being a “brat” often means defying conventions, and that’s exactly what Aurore Dupin did when she adopted the pseudonym George Sand. She fought against the prejudices of a conservative society and became one of the most notable French authors of her time.