Lizzy Borden

Lizzie was born on July 19, 1860. At the age of two, she suffered the loss of her mother. However, she remained close to her father. Lizzie told many she had no memory of her mother. Her older sister, Emma, appeared to be the only constant in Lizzie's life. Emma was friend and mother to a young Lizzie.
Lizzie knew her position in life and held it well. She was a typical high society young debutante. She belonged to numerous clubs. She was active member in her church. In all the organizations she participated in, Lizzie generally held a leadership role. She was often treasurer (because of her father's wealth) or secretary.

Despite her position, Lizzie remained unmarried. There are many reasons given for this. First, she was not a great beauty--some, unfairly perhaps, called her  homely. Second, she resented her father and the fact that she was not allowed the great benefits of being well-to-do. She wanted money and the power, but her father would have none of that. Third, she was in an odd station in life. No suitor was acceptable. For those who would suit her station, she was unacceptable. Those who would have her, her father viewed as inferior and would chase them off as fortune hunters.

Lizzie was thrifty-two when the murders occurred. She inherited a substantial amount of money when she was found not guilty. After her acquittal, she fell into an unlikely circle of friends, primarily the theater and bohemian crowds. She spent many nights out with her friends spending her new found wealth at will.

Lizzie could not escape her famous name. She chose not to leave Fall River even though this might have allowed her some semblance of a normal life. Once in 1926, she entered a hospital and tried to use an alias. Everyone knew who she really was, but kept up the facade for her benefit.

Lizzie died in 1927. She planned her own funeral, having left a list of those to be invited. When the guests arrived, they were told the funeral had taken place the night before. She left her heirs $225,000. She was buried with the rest of the family at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River. On her grave is the name "Lisbeth Andrews Borden."

Source(s):

http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/LizzieBorden/biographiesborden.html