Born to a family of actors, Giacomo Casanova, the infamous Italian adventurer, was a fragile child who spent most of his early years in the care of his devoted grandmother. As a young man, he relocated to Padua to reside with the esteemed Doctor Gozzi, where he developed a romantic connection with Gozzi's younger sister, Bettina. Under the guidance of his mentor, Casanova gained valuable insights into the world of women, which ultimately prompted him to embark on a thrilling journey across Europe, accumulating numerous romantic conquests along the way.
One of his earliest and most notable romantic pursuits was Angiola Calori, a supposed castrato whom Casanova successfully unmasked. The couple initially planned to marry, but Casanova ultimately decided he could not bear the humiliation of being the unemployed husband of a woman from the theatre. Following his breakup with Angiola, he encountered the enigmatic Henriette in Cesena, who would become his next great love. However, Henriette reluctantly parted ways with Casanova to rejoin her family, prompting him to continue his travels to France, where he became a member of the Freemasons.
Throughout his long, tumultuous, and scandalous life, Casanova formed friendships with numerous influential figures, including Frederick the Great of Prussia, Voltaire, the Chevalier d'Eon, Benjamin Franklin, and Catherine the Great of Russia. In 1784, he accepted an offer from Count Josef Karl Emmanuel von Waldstein to serve as a librarian at the Count's castle in Dux, where Casanova spent the remainder of his days.
According to his close friend, the Prince de Ligne, Casanova's final words were: "I have lived as a philosopher, and I shall die as a Christian."
