The Bordello, The Beauty & The Dyslexic Broad - How Langtrees Got Its Name

From Lillie Langtry to Langtrees: The Origin of Australia’s Most Famous Bordello

Some businesses start with a well-crafted plan. Others begin with a dream. Langtrees? It all started with a stolen portrait, a moment of exhaustion, and one legendary woman who captivated kings.

Yes, we’re talking about Lillie Langtry—a Victorian-era stunner who made men weak in the knees, turned high society upside down, and built a fortune along the way. So how did her name (well, almost her name) become the moniker for Australia’s most famous bordello?

It’s a story of beauty, business, and a business savvy, determined woman—and just like Langtrees itself, it’s far from ordinary.

Meet Lillie Langtry: The Victorian Vixen Who Played by Her Own Rules

Born in 1853 on the island of Jersey, Lillie Langtry wasn’t just admired—she was worshipped. With her striking beauty, quick wit, and rebellious streak, she became one of the most talked-about women of her time. In an era when high-society ladies were expected to be seen and not heard, Lillie did things her way. She broke into acting (a scandalous career move for a woman of her status), rubbed shoulders with aristocrats, and even had an open affair with the Prince of Wales—who later became King Edward VII.

And she wasn’t just a pretty face. Lillie was a shrewd businesswoman, investing in racehorses, vineyards, and property—proving she could compete in a man’s world and come out on top.

Now, what does this have to do with Langtrees? Hold onto your corsets, because here comes the fun part.

A Grandfather, A Heist & A Happy Accident

It all started with Mary-Anne’s grandfather, Charlie Hutley. He was the heir to his father Jack Hutley’s fortune, inheriting the family business and land in far-north New Zealand. But business wasn’t exactly Charlie’s strong suit. Instead of growing the family wealth, he turned the old general store into a cluttered collection of "treasures" from the local dump and auctions—an antique dealer’s worst nightmare.

Now, Charlie was a man who hated parting with his possessions. If you so much as mentioned liking something, he’d stash it away so fast you’d never see it again. Mary-Anne’s mother, Gay, knew this well and passed down a sneaky little trick—if you wanted something, you had to gradually move it until Charlie forgot it existed.

And that’s exactly what Mary-Anne did.

Among the mountains of junk, she had spotted two stunning lithographs of Lillie Langtry, the famous Victorian actress and royal mistress. Over time, she carefully relocated them, inch by inch, until they finally made their way into her possession. She took them home, kept them safe, and when she moved to Australia in 1983, the portraits came with her.

Of course, Charlie never suspected a thing. And even if he had, Mary-Anne figured she got the better end of the deal—Charlie had spent his life helping the men in the family, but the women? Not so much. So, in a way, this was just a little cosmic redistribution of wealth.

From Portrait to Bordello—The Birth of Langtrees

Years later, after establishing herself in the industry, Mary-Anne was preparing to open her very first high-class bordello. But there was just one problem: what to name it?

Determined to find the perfect title, she dived into research. She scoured the New York and London Yellow Pages, jotting down names—"The Golden Apple," "Cleopatra’s"—but nothing clicked. She needed something with elegance, mystery, and a touch of seduction.

Then came the fateful night. It was 3AM, and Mary-Anne was slumped in an armchair in front of the fireplace at her grand ‘gone with the wind’ style home in Forrestfield. Above the mantelpiece? One of the stolen Lillie Langtry lithographs.

Frustrated and exhausted, she looked up at the portrait and sighed, “Come on, give me a hand!”. Lillie, of course, didn’t respond (though, given her royal connections, she probably had some rather scandalous ideas). Then it hit her. “Lily’s Joint”—hmm, catchy but not quite right. With 11 rooms, it was hardly just a joint. Then she scribbled down Langtrees. It wasn’t even her top choice. But by morning, something about it felt… perfect.

And just like that, Langtrees was born.

Building an Empire—And Sharing the Wealth

With the name in place, Mary-Anne set out to build a business like no other. But success doesn’t happen alone. After purchasing the old chocolate factory property on Burswood Road, she knew she needed support. At the time, she was already running a containment escort agency in Midland, so she made a bold move—bringing in her sister and her close friend Sharyn (who Mary-Anne bought out before opening for $6,000), giving them 25% each of the business. It was a gamble, but if there’s one thing Mary-Anne has always known, it’s how to take a calculated risk. And this one paid off—big time. 

Oops! A Little Spelling Mishap…

It took four years for Mary-Anne to realise she had misspelled Langtry’s name. While chatting with an antique shop owner in Melbourne, he casually pointed out the error. As a self-cured dyslexic—what she fondly calls a "centered brain," shared by 10% of the world’s population—Mary-Anne simply had a laugh and carried on. But by then, the business was booming, and the name Langtrees had already become legendary.

Besides, what’s in a name? Well, in this case—a thriving empire, a world-class bordello, and a legacy that Mary-Anne is proud to share with sex workers across the globe.

As for Lillie? Well, she was long gone, but we like to think she would have raised an eyebrow, poured a glass of wine, and laughed at the whole thing.

A Legacy of Pleasure and Power

 

Today, Langtrees remains Australia’s most famous bordello brand, an institution built on beauty, business acumen, and a touch of scandal.

From a rebellious Victorian beauty to a pioneering Australian entrepreneur, both Lillie Langtry and Mary-Anne Kenworthy proved that women can captivate, dominate, and thrive in a world of their own making.

And if Lillie Langtry were alive today? She’d probably be running the place.


A Message to the Sex Workers of the World

Mary-Anne Kenworthy, or as many call her, Mrs. Langtrees, takes great pride in sharing this story with sex workers across the globe. She believes Lillie Langtry’s legacy is a testament to beauty, independence, and business savvy—qualities that define the modern sex industry.

Like Lillie, today’s sex workers navigate a world that often tries to box them in, but strength, intelligence, and resilience continue to break barriers. Whether on stage, online, or in a luxurious bordello, sex workers shape culture, drive industry, and command attention—on their terms.

Mrs. Langtrees knows firsthand that this world isn’t just about pleasure; it’s about power, success, and rewriting the rules. And just as Lillie did, she invites every sex worker to embrace their journey with confidence, pride, and a touch of scandal.

Note to the reader: Wikipedia sometimes gets it wrong so stay tuned on this space for Mrs. Langtrees 1st edition of her life, laughs and legacy.

Author: AmandaO
FOR: Mrs. Langtrees

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