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Shi Pei-Pu

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Spy

The Resume

    (circa 1939-June 30, 2009)
    Born in Beijing, China
    Opera singer turned spy
    Had a 20-year affair with French diplomat Bernard Boursicot, who believed he was a woman
    Settled in France with Boursicot (1982)
    Sentenced to six years in prison for committing espionage for China (1986)
    Pardoned a year later
    Affair with Boursicot inspired the Tony Award winning play 'M. Butterfly' (1988)

Why he might be annoying:

    He allegedly told Boursicot that he was a woman who had been raised as a male to satisfy his father's wish for a son.
    Whenever he and Boursicot made love, it was hurriedly and in the dark.
    He purchased a child from his mother, then convinced Boursicot that the child was their son.
    He convinced Boursicot to pass classified documents from the embassy by suggesting he and 'their' child would be in danger if he did not cooperate.
    On his death, Boursicot observed, 'He did so many things against me that he had no pity for, I think it is stupid to play another game now and say I am sad.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He claims he never told Boursicot he was female -- he simply declined to correct Boursicot's mistake.
    Even allowing for Boursicot's naivety and lack of sexual experience with women, convincing someone you're the opposite gender for 20 years is an impressive bit of acting.
    A month before his death, he spoke with Boursicot and said he still loved him.
    He said, 'I used to fascinate both men and women.... What I was and what they were didn't matter.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 34 Votes: 14.71% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 26 Votes: 76.92% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 84 Votes: 60.71% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 15 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 75 Votes: 72.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 52 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 52 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 116 Votes: 65.52% Annoying