Aileen Wuornos

Aileen Carol Wuornos (February 29 1956 – October 9 2002) was an American serial killer who was sentenced to death by the state of Florida in 1992. Wuornos admitted to killing seven men, in separate incidents, all of whom she claimed had raped her while she was working as a prostitute. She was executed in 2002.

Publicity

Within weeks of her arrest, Wuornos had engaged agents to sell the rights to her story, and so had three of the law enforcement agents who had been tracking her down. Touted as "the first female serial killer" (which she was not), Wuornos' life has been documented in numerous books and portrayed in several films and television shows.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Books: Lethal Intent (2002), ISBN 0786015187, by Sue Russell
• Documentaries: Nick Broomfield directed two documentaries about her: ' (1992), and ' (2003). Broomfield conducted the last media interview with Wuornos on the day before her execution.
• Movies: The 2003 movie Monster, starring Charlize Theron, tells Wuornos' story from the moment she met the first person in her life who showed some kindness towards her (based on Wuornos' lover and four-year companion, Tyria Moore, known as Selby Walls in the film) until her first conviction for murder. For her performance as Wuornos, Theron was rewarded with the Academy Award for Best Actress. This award was given on what would have been Wuornos' birthday, a fact not mentioned anywhere in Theron's acceptance speech.
• Television: 1992 made-for-television movie Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story, starring Jean Smart as Wuornos, was first broadcast in 1992. Wuornos has also been featured on 60 Minutes, A&E, and Court TV.
• Music: Diamanda Galás, who calls Wuornos "a huge hero" http://www.diamandagalas.com/press/terrorizor0798.htm, dedicated to her the song Iron Lady on the album Malediction and Prayer.