In 1893, twenty year old Colette married her first husband Henry Gauthier-Villars, who was also a writer. Henry published his work under the pen name "Willy". The couple published the Claudine series together. Colette left her first husband in 1906 and went to live with her friend, and lover, Natalie Clifford Barney. Colette and the American expatriate salonist Natalie had a short lesbian affair and remained friends afterwards. During this time, Colette worked in the music halls where she worked with and became intimate with Mathilde de Morny, a fellow performer. In 1912, Colette was married for the second time. She and her husband had a daughter named Colette de Jouvenel. Sadly, Colette did not spend much time with her daughter. During World War I, Colette wrote a ballet for the Paris Opera. She also opened up her husband's estate to wounded soldiers. For her "hospital" she was awarded the Legion of Honor. In 1924, Colette divorced her husband after her affair with her stepson was discovered. She would marry again in 1935. Her third husband, Maurice Goudeket, wrote Colette's biography. Her post-war works include Gigi and Chéri, two of her most famous novels. Colette died in 1954. Her books were surprising because of their often intimate themes, but they were clever and people enjoyed reading them which is why she became such a well-loved French author.
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