The Women Of Gaddafi's World

Muammar Gaddafi isn’t just a ruthless dictator who is currently brutally suppressing protests around Libya. He also has a bizarre track record of female bodyguards, lecturing Italian women about converting to Islam, and indirectly financing Beyonce concerts.

A U.S. diplomatic cable revealed by Wikileaks alleged that Gaddafi is increasingly dependent on Galyna Kolotnytska, his “voluptuous blonde” Ukrainian nurse. Google promptly exploded with searches for “photos of Galyna Kolotnyska” and “photos of voluptuous Ukrainian nurse.” This may or may not be her.

Salon recently wondered why Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Mariah Carey had not come under more fire for performing for Saif Gaddafi, Muammar’s son, in St. Barths. Good question.

Gaddafi famously surrounds himself with female bodyguards, who were the subject of a documentary. The claim is that they’re all virgins, but other accounts some are married and have children.

In 1996, one of these guards had bigger hair. See, some things have changed in his unending rule.

Gaddafi has twice hired Italian women for what is billed as a “hostessing” job and turns out to be submitting to a two-hour lecture on how they should convert to Islam. Here, Italian Equal Opportunities Minister Mara Garfagna indicates her enthusiasm.

Perhaps this woman has seen the light.

But it’s clear that this woman is no fan. She may yet get her wish.