Mussolini’s Daughter: The Most Dangerous Woman in Europe

Moorehead (“Resistance Quartet” series) highlights the life of Benito Mussolini’s eldest daughter, Edda. Mussolini rocketed to power in an Italy that had never been unified, still had a king, and lived under the religious control of the Vatican. While fascist dictatorship initially seemed like a solution, the leadership quickly became corrupt. Moorehead notes that Mussolini initially dismissed Hitler’s attempts to consolidate power, but later joined forces when Hitler’s power became clear. Narrator Kathleen Gati graces this story with excellent pacing and characterizations, describing how Edda ran wild as a child but later played a pivotal advisory role. Instead of using her influence for the good of the country, however, she focused on personal gain. She traveled widely and entertained extravagantly, charming Hitler himself. Edda survived the war by hiding damaging information about Allied and Axis powers alike. While Moorehead’s updated history provides new details about the family, listeners may be disappointed to learn that her focus is more on Mussolini than Edda. Moorehead shows Edda to have been narcissistic, unfaithful, and corrupt, but listeners may not be convinced that she was “the most dangerous woman in Europe.”