Elizabeth Báthory

Elizabeth Báthory, a Hungarian noblewoman from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, is often referred to as the "Blood Countess." She is infamous for allegedly torturing and killing young women, supposedly believing that bathing in their blood would preserve her youth. Báthory's actions led to her arrest and a controversial trial, but she was never executed; instead, she was confined to her castle until her death. Her story has become a blend of historical fact and legend, inspiring numerous works of fiction. Today, she is often cited as one of history's most notorious female serial killers.