Hell's Princess

01The Early Years: Birth of a Monster

Belle Gunness, born Brynhild Paulsdatter Størseth on November 11, 1859, in Selbu, Norway, was a figure whose life was marked by hardship, poverty, and a series of unfortunate events that would later shape her into one of the most notorious female serial killers in history. The youngest of eight children in a poor family, Belle's early life was a testament to struggle and survival, factors that may have played a significant role in her later criminal activities. A pivotal moment in Belle's life occurred at the tender age of 14. After allegedly being impregnated by a wealthy man, she was brutally beaten by him, leading to a miscarriage. This traumatic event is believed to have ignited a deep-seated hatred for men and a thirst for revenge that would later manifest in her murderous tendencies. In 1881, Belle, like many immigrants of the time, sought refuge in the United States, hoping for a better life. She settled in Chicago, Illinois, where she worked as a domestic servant for several years. In 1884, she married Mads Ditlev Anton Sorenson, a fellow Norwegian immigrant. Together, they opened a candy store, which mysteriously burned down. The couple collected insurance money, marking the beginning of a pattern of suspicious insurance claims that would follow Belle throughout her life. The couple had four children, two of whom died young under mysterious circumstances. The deaths were attributed to acute colitis, a condition whose symptoms eerily mirror those of many forms of poisoning. Both children had life insurance policies, and Belle and Mads received payouts after their deaths, further deepening the cloud of suspicion that hung over Belle. In 1900, Mads died under questionable circumstances on the only day when two of his life insurance policies overlapped. The first doctor to see him suspected strychnine poisoning, but the official cause of death was declared as heart failure. Belle received a hefty insurance payout, which she used to purchase a farm in La Porte, Indiana. This farm would later become the infamous site of her gruesome murders. The early years of Belle Gunness were marked by hardship, tragedy, and a series of suspicious events that would later form the foundation of her monstrous persona. Her life serves as a chilling reminder of how early experiences can shape and influence an individual's path, leading them down a road of darkness and infamy.