The Explosive Career of Zazel

Unusual As Usual

Rossa Richter was born in 1863 in London, England, and rose to fame after meeting William Leonard Hunt, also known as The Great Farini, and becoming “Zazel the Human Cannonball”.

She was successfully fired out of the cannon hundreds of times until 1881 while performing her signature 'leap for life’ trapeze stunt in Las Vegas, the bracing poles of her apparatus were accidentally left unsecured causing her to fall 50ft to the ground below - she survived, but broke her back in several places, an injury that effectively ended her circus career.

Rossa Richter died of natural causes on the 8th December 1937, aged 74, at Camberwell House hospital in Peckham, London.

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Fact Analysis: Although careful research is implemented to assure accurate and correct information, sometimes it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction (or ‘humbug', as P.T. Barnum would say). If you find any information in this podcast inaccurate, please do let me know via social media.