Ever heard of 'The Wireless Heroine' Noor Inayat Khan? Meet 6 brave female spies who changed history

A descendant of Indian royalty and a trained musician, Noor became one of Britain’s most important WWII spies. She operated a wireless radio behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied France-an incredibly risky job. Captured by the Gestapo, she never gave up a secret, even under torture. Her courage still echoes through history.

An American spy with a prosthetic leg, Virginia was dismissed by the Nazis as “the most dangerous Allied spy.” Operating in France for the OSS (precursor to the CIA), she coordinated sabotage missions, trained resistance fighters, and helped hundreds escape. Her grit and disguise skills made her a legend.

A Dutch exotic dancer turned spy, Mata Hari was known for her charm, mystery, and scandal. During WWI, she was accused of being a double agent for France and Germany. While her legacy is still debated, her story remains one of the most captivating tales of espionage and betrayal.

A New Zealand-born Australian who joined the French Resistance, Nancy was feared by the Nazis, who placed a huge bounty on her head. She led guerrilla attacks, coordinated parachute drops, and fearlessly fought alongside male fighters. Her nickname came from how well she evaded capture.

Born Krystyna Skarbek in Poland, she was one of the first women to work for Britain’s Special Operations Executive. Her missions included smuggling intelligence and rescuing POWs in Nazi-occupied Europe. She was so fearless, even hardened soldiers admired her nerves of steel.

In 2010, Anna made headlines as part of a Russian spy ring in the U.S. While her story may not carry the same wartime weight, it reminded the world that espionage is very much alive. Her glamorous image and media attention made her a symbol of modern-day spy intrigue.