Phyllis Brown
In the late 19th century, Camille Monfort (1869-1896), known as “The Amazonian Vampire,” captured the imagination of many. With her pale complexion and habit of strolling through the night, she became a figure of fascination.
Camille’s beauty and enchanting voice drew in audiences and stirred the desires of wealthy gentlemen, much to the envy of their wives. Her unique allure and mysterious presence made her a memorable and intriguing character of her time.
Camille’s background
Camille was born in France in 1869 to Henri Montfort and Marie Montfort. Her father, Henri, worked as a French diplomat and held the position of consulate-general in Belem, Brazil. Her mother, Marie, was a French aristocrat with ties to the Royal family of Orleans. Camille had a privileged upbringing.
The family moved to Brazil in 1876. Camille’s older brothers, Louis and Charles, followed in their father’s diplomatic footsteps. The Montforts were Roman Catholic. While little is known about Camille’s education, she likely had a governess and was taught about Brazilian culture and history.
Despite her beauty—standing at 5 feet 5 inches with a ‘decent’ waist—and independent spirit, Camille never married. She was admired for her free spirit and independent nature. Although her life was interesting, it was also brief. Camille lived by her own rules.
Malicious rumors about Camille
Back in 1896, Belém sold Amazonian rubber to the world and became rich. Many farmers turned into millionaires overnight.
These newfound wealthy people constructed grand mansions with materials imported from Europe, while their wives sent their clothes overseas for washing and imported mineral water from London for their baths.
At the center of the city’s cultural scene was the “Theatro da Paz,” which featured performances by European artists. One notable performer was Camille Monfort, a stunning French opera singer who captivated the local audience.
Her remarkable beauty aroused strong desires among the region’s wealthy men and sparked intense jealousy in their wives.
Saw as flirtatious woman
It is said that Camille Monfort shocked many with her unconventional behavior for the time. She was often seen half-naked, dancing in the streets of Belém, enjoying the afternoon rain.
Her solitary night walks also sparked curiosity, Camille Monfort shocked many with her unconventional behavior for the time. She was often seen half-naked, dancing in the streets of Belém, enjoying the afternoon rain.
Rumors and malicious gossip soon followed. People whispered that she was Francisco Bolonha’s lover, brought over from Europe by him. They also claimed he would bathe her in his mansion using expensive imported champagnes.
Dubbed “The Amazonian Vampire”
Rumors about her time in London suggested she had been affected by vampirism because of her paleness and sickly appearance.
These tales claimed she brought this supposed curse to the Amazon, where she reportedly developed a mysterious craving for human blood. During her concerts, there were stories of young women being entranced by her voice, falling asleep in her dressing room, and waking with marks on their necks.
Curiously, these incidents of fainting during her performances also aligned with reports of audience members overwhelmed by the emotional intensity of her music.
She was rumored to have the power to communicate with the deceased and manifest their spirits as thick, ethereal mists of ectoplasmic material released from her own body during mediumistic sessions.
These early occurrences in the Amazon foreshadowed what would later be known as spiritualism, a practice that gained traction in secretive gatherings at Belém’s palaces, including the Palacete Pinho.
Camille’s tragical fate
In late 1896, Belém was struck by a devastating cholera outbreak. She also died from cholera and then was buried in the Cemetery of Solitude.
Today, her tomb remains beneath a sprawling mango tree, its surface covered in moss, slime, and dry leaves, casting a deep shadow broken only by slivers of sunlight filtering through the canopy.
The mausoleum, built in neoclassical style, features a closed door secured by an aged, rusty lock.
Atop the tomb rests a weathered white marble bust of a woman, and adjacent to it, a small framed portrait of Camila in mourning attire hangs on the wall. The inscription on her tombstone reads:
On her tombstone, you can read the inscription:
“Here lies Camila María Monfort (1869-1896) The voice that captivated the world.”
But there are still those who say today that her tomb is empty, suggesting her death and burial may have been a cover for rumors of vampirism. Some even claim Camila Monfort lives on in Europe to this day.
