Dolly Wilde, born on November 7, 1895, in London, England, was an Anglo-Irish socialite renowned for her sharp wit and engaging conversation. As a Manifestor in Human Design, she embodied the qualities of initiation and influence, often captivating her audience in the vibrant salons of Paris between the wars. Her innate charm and humor allowed her to stand out in a social circle filled with flamboyant personalities, making her a sought-after guest.

Wilde was the only child of Willie Wilde, Oscar Wilde’s older brother, and was born just three months after her uncle’s arrest for homosexual acts. Following the early death of her father, she was raised by her mother and her stepfather, the translator Alexander Teixeira de Mattos. Her emotional Inner Authority guided her through life’s challenges, including her decision to travel to France in 1914 to drive an ambulance during World War I.

In her personal life, Wilde’s emotional depth and desire for connection were evident in her relationships. During her time in Paris, she had a passionate affair with Marion “Joe” Carstairs, a Standard Oil heiress and speedboat racer known as “the fastest woman on water.” Although she reveled in attracting both men and women, Wilde primarily identified as lesbian. Her longest and most significant relationship was with the openly lesbian American writer Natalie Clifford Barney, who hosted one of the most renowned literary salons of the 20th century.

Wilde’s Human Design profile of 4/6 reflects her dual nature: as a 4, she was a natural networker, building strong connections, while the 6 aspect of her profile indicated a journey of personal evolution and wisdom gained through life experiences. Her incarnation cross, the Right Angle Cross of Penetration, underscored her ability to delve deeply into emotional truths, a trait that resonated in her conversations and relationships.

Despite her social successes, Wilde struggled with addiction, particularly to alcohol and heroin. Her attempts at detoxification were largely unsuccessful, and she developed a dependency on paraldehyde, a sleeping draught available over-the-counter. In 1939, she was diagnosed with breast cancer but chose to seek alternative treatments instead of surgery. As the threat of World War II loomed, she fled Paris for England in 1940.

Dolly Wilde passed away at the age of 45 on April 10, 1941, with the coroner’s inquest citing “causes unascertainable,” possibly due to cancer or a drug overdose. Her legacy as a witty conversationalist and a prominent figure in the Parisian social scene endures, reflecting the complex interplay of her emotional authority and the profound connections she forged throughout her life.