Emma Borden’s life after testifying for sister Lizzie in murder trial
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is streaming now (Netflix)
The life of Lizzie Borden is explored in new Netflix series Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, in which Billie Lourd plays her sister Emma.
The series, a dramatised version of Lizzie’s trial after the axe murders of her father and step-mother, uses a lot of artistic license. Lizzie is depicted as being in a lesbian relationship with housemaid Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan, when theories of her sexuality have never been proved. Similarly, Sullivan is seen as an accomplice in the murders, alongside Lizzie, though Lizzie was acquitted and there is little to no evidence Sullivan had a romance with her, or helped in the murders.
So, what does the show get right – or wrong – about Lizzie’s sister, Emma, who is seen to be quite calculating, while also rarely involved in Lizzie’s life.
By all accounts (and there aren’t that many), Emma, who was nine years older than Lizzie, preferred a quiet, private life and even disliked sitting for portraits.
Some say she became a maternal figure for Lizzie after the death of their mother, with The Trial Of Lizzie Borden author Cara Robertson telling Vanity Fair Emma had promised their mum she’d look after her sister.
Like Lizzie, Emma never got married, and following the trial they lived together.
They lived in a home Lizzie called “Maplecroft” after she was acquitted, though Emma moved out after 12 years, it has been reported by the New England. They fell out over Lizzie throwing parties at the home and hosting local actors, including actress Nance O’Neil. Elements of this part of their lives are shown in Monster.
Before then, though, Emma testified in Lizzie’s trial and provided key statements for her sister’s defence.
Emma, who had been visiting friends when the murders took place, said that she had suggested Lizzie burn a dress in the days following. She claimed it had been stained by paint, and had become faded after dragging on the floor.
Both sisters died in 1927, 34 years after the trial. Lizzie died at the age of 66 on 1 June from pneumonia. Emma died nine days later at the age of 76, after suffering from chronic nephritis.
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