Polly Adler

Pearl "Polly" Adler (April 16,1900-1962) was a Russian-born madam and author.

Adler opened her first bordello in 1920. She was under the protection of Charles "Lucky" Luciano and refused to give up any mob names when apprehended by the police. She survived by providing half of her income to her underworld safety net. For over twenty years Adler kept active by moving her brothel from apartment to apartment. She officially retired from prostitution in 1944.

She wrote a bestselling book, A House is Not a Home in 1950 and lived off the proceeds.

Reference

• Look For the Woman by Jay Robert Nash. M. Evans and Company Inc. 1981. ISBN 0871313367