Crime History: ‘Mayflower Madam’

Published October 15, 2011 4:00am ET



On this day, Oct. 16, in 1984, the woman dubbed the “Mayflower Madam,” was charged with running a $1 million-a-year call-girl operation in Manhattan. Sydney Biddle Barrows, 32, was a descendant of Mayflower Pilgrims and born into a affluent family in Philadelphia. She started an escort service called Cachet, taught her girls how to dress and to talk to men with wealth.

After her arrest and the news of a high-class escort service, Barrows became a small celebrity. Candice Bergen played her in the made-for-TV-movie.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.