Irene Milena Vasilijević

Irene Milena Vasilijević in the 1870s

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**Irene Milena Vasilijević** (b. 9 September 1852) commonly known by her first name "**Irene**" was the disreputable mistress of Boris von Delanoringen a member of the prominent Delanoringen family, from 1871 until his unexpected assassination in 1898. Originally born as the second daughter of Danilo Vasilijević a wealthy merchant, farmer, and dry goods owner and his wife Marija Vasilijević a nurse in a lower-middle class household, she was mostly self-taught and was given a decent education at her home in the modest city of Belgrade in the Principality of Serbia (which was then a province or autonomous state of the Ottoman Empire). She was known for her beauty, charm, and her naturally gifted knowledge about the natural world but was hindered by her cold and rather mysterious nature. Nevertheless, she was known to have numerous suitors and admirers who wanted her hand in marriage, but she remained independent and prudent until she met the wealthy Boris von Delanoringen the wealthy heir of the Delanoringen family in her home city during one of his many trips across Europe in 1873. Boris was quickly infatuated by Irene, and Irene recognising is status reciprocated beginning a secret affair that lasted over two decades, with Irene privately serving as Boris's official mistress in everything but name.

Born in the city of Belgrade, in the then-Principality of Serbia (which was itself a vassal state or autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire) on 9 September 1852 as the second daughter (and child) of Danilo Vasilijević a wealthy merchant, dry goods owner and farmer and his wife Marija Vasilijević a nurse she was raised in a modest but decent family. Her father worked part time in Vienna and Budapest as a wealthy merchant in the Austro-Hungarian Empire causing the family to move extremely often. Due to the family often moving temporarily throughout the year to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the then-Principality of Serbia Irene grew up fluent in German and proficient in Hungarian. She was given a decent education in Belgrade, and Vienna paid entirely by her father where she learned a slight amount of information regarding history, literature, mathematics, and the sciences where she eventually advanced her fluency in German and French. She also advanced her knowledge by utilizing the local libraries in Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade progressing her knowledge of the natural world in many key subjects. She later worked at her father's dry goods store where she sold agricultural products at local markets at her home city with mild success, and despite not liking the job she developed a strong and tough work ethic. However, she was most known for her sharp and intellectual mind but her cold and mysterious personality which often hindered her reputation among higher circles or societies in Serbia. Over her tenure throughout the late 1860s as a modest dry goods clerk for her father she had many suitors and admirers who wanted her hand in marriage, and alone had numerous affairs. However, she remained prudent and independent and utilized her suitors for her own personal gain, and advancement in Serbian High Society. With her numerous suitors, she was able to earn a higher salary, and attend lavish events in Belgrade and other cities, with her being renowned for her mysterious and fiery nature.

In early 1873 while conducting her daily stroll on the pavements in the city of Belgrade she met Boris von Delanoringen the wealthy heir of the Delanoringen family from the Austro-Hungarian Empire who seemed to become immediately infatuated with her beauty and charm. Boris, despite being married, courted her in secret with Irene remaining cold and distant until Boris was able to leverage his rank as the heir to the Delanoringen family to grant her certain privileges and wealth. Boris conceded and promised her wealth, privileges, and luxury which ultimately resulted in her accepting his charming courtship. She was introduced in public to Boris's friends and family as a close friend and confidant. At first, Boris took Irene out to luxurious restaurants, and recreational activities such as hunting and horseback riding. However, the relationship quickly turned into a passionate affair which resulted in Irene (with the incentive of wealth, and luxury) to ultimately become Boris's official mistress in everything but name. Boris continued to take Irene out on recreation and business trips across Europe, sailed with her in his own personal yachts in the Mediterranean and took her out to luxury restaurants, influential museums and beautiful art exhibits. Boris also bought her an extensive art collection, made up of pieces across Europe and provided her a mansion in the city of Vienna. The affair ultimately lasted over two decades, with Boris utilising his connections to Austrian High Society to conceal his affair with his mistress. Boris's loving wife Marcella Delanoringen was sadly oblivious to her husband's affair due to his connection in Austrian High Society but she suspected. Marcella eventually found out about Irene in the mid 1880s and was furious at Boris for cheating on her with a Serbian mistress. Their relationship was strained and the only thing that united them was their bond over their two sons Nicholas Augustus von Delanoringen and Walter Francis von Delanoringen. Nevertheless, Marcella attempted to forget but not specifically forgive Boris over his actions in 1890 out of sake for their children and their prestigious family, with the two increasingly growing closer over the following years, (with the birth of their grandson Roger William von Delanoringen helping them properly reconcile). Irene, however, continued to live in luxury with Boris financially securing her entirely and her three daughters and was able to enjoy a lavish life in the city by attending multiple balls, opera houses, art exhibits, and other forms of recreational entertainment. Boris continued to visit her even when their affair had officially ended in 1890 to enjoy her company and the company of his three illegitimate daughters. His assassination in 1898 came as a shock to many and caused Irene to fall into a deep mourning period, however, due to Boris's connections in High Society and ensuring she was financially secured she was able to continue to live in luxury up until present day with her three daughters becoming famous in Vienna due to their inherited mother's mysterious and beautiful behaviour and their father's ambitious and decisive personality.