Sex Pays and in Belle de Jour's Case it Pays Well
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Since the recent revelation of Belle de Jour's identity as research scientist Dr. Brooke Magnanti there have been several things that have perplexed me about her situation
I can't put my finger on quite everything that has confused me about this. The biggest question I've had so far is why does she even bother staying a research scientist? Let's do the math:
When you add it up it comes to £1.8 million pounds ($3 million US dollars).
Over a period of 6 years thats about £300K ($500K) per year. Even at the 40% tax rate she still would have cleared £180K ($300K) Compare that with a pre-tax salary of £50K ($83K)? I'm estimating her research scientist salary is £50K/year which after tax is most likely to be more like £30K.
Why would you bother being a research scientist if you can make 6 times that as Belle?
And that is what's really perplexing me!
She shouldn't be worrying about 'outing' herself as Dr. Brooke Manganti. From a purely financial standpoint, she should be burying "Brooke" and pursing her life as Belle.
Perhaps staying a research scientist morally legitimizes the fact that she worked as a prostitute? It was a means to an end. A very profitable end.
I just wonder, however, that if she didn't have those two letters "Dr." in front of her name, if people would be so forgiving of her past?
What do you think? Comments please.
I can't put my finger on quite everything that has confused me about this. The biggest question I've had so far is why does she even bother staying a research scientist? Let's do the math:
- £ 72,000 - Sex work - That's how much I estimate she received after her agent's cut. That's going on a rate of £200/hour, 2 hours per client, 3 clients per week, 60 weeks of sex work.
- £1,000,000 - Book sales and advances. That's how much I estimate she has received for the publication of her last three books. (Although I've privately been assured that the actual figure is more)
- £ 25,000 - Writing - That's how much I estimate she's made from her columns in various periodicals over the years.
- £ 750,000 - TV Rights - That's how much I estimate she has been paid for the TV rights for the both ITVseries, "Secret Diary of a Call Girl."
When you add it up it comes to £1.8 million pounds ($3 million US dollars).
Over a period of 6 years thats about £300K ($500K) per year. Even at the 40% tax rate she still would have cleared £180K ($300K) Compare that with a pre-tax salary of £50K ($83K)? I'm estimating her research scientist salary is £50K/year which after tax is most likely to be more like £30K.
Why would you bother being a research scientist if you can make 6 times that as Belle?
And that is what's really perplexing me!
She shouldn't be worrying about 'outing' herself as Dr. Brooke Manganti. From a purely financial standpoint, she should be burying "Brooke" and pursing her life as Belle.
Perhaps staying a research scientist morally legitimizes the fact that she worked as a prostitute? It was a means to an end. A very profitable end.
I just wonder, however, that if she didn't have those two letters "Dr." in front of her name, if people would be so forgiving of her past?
What do you think? Comments please.
Labels: blogging, prostitue, prostitute
posted by Naive London Girl at 11/18/2009 04:35:00 AM
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9 Comments:
Why does she still work? Because her vocation, i.e. her research means a lot more to her than the sex work. It's quite obvious really.
Not everything is about money.
It's the right business to be in ha ha.
Secretia
Pretty sure she didn't make that hooking. Everyone likes to talk up there game but that's just unrealistic. Two hours per client?? Even before the film pretty women hookers have fantasised about dates with lovely rich men but the reality is 15 min quickies.
Agree with bete, she does what she loves, something to be said for a steady pay check and anonymous sex gets boring very quickly.
I also wouldn't take her book/blog as gospel.
In economic terms, productivity is the key. And this in times when governments worldwide are looking for new revenue sources - gotta keep the unproductive in business!
Yeah... it's probably 'cause she likes it. Isn't that why people who can afford to stop don't stop?
Alternatively, you could just ask her. ;)
Not to be snarky, but I think it's pretty obvious: Belle was her job. Research is her passion. Now that she HAS made all that money, it doesn't matter if her research position doesn't pay as well - she can do what she loves and still live comfortably.
Some people don't work just for the money.
Look at the arts - most writers don't make anywhere near what she might have earned, and I believe sex work can get dull after a while and you only have a limited shelf life. Maybe she just prefers a predictable 9-5 routine in a secure workplace without the ups and downs of freelance earnings!?
Makes sense to me...
Even before the film pretty women hookers have fantasised about dates with lovely rich men but the reality is 15 min quickies.
Not sure where you came up with that, but that's not necessarily the case. Many of us have minimum appt length times and don't have any problem getting clients (even at my rates).
I suspect Brooke left sex work because she wanted to do something else, and probably didn't want to be in a profession that was so stigmatized for any longer than she needed to.
I'm inclined to agree with many of the other posters... Having financial security to pursue a career in research must be more compelling for Brooke. Personally, I'd love to give up the day job and follow my passion of a career in a scientific field, but as a wage slave I'll have to wait for now.. But if Brooke has made the most out of her time in the sex industry then good luck to her...
There is more to life than the relentless acquisition of material possessions. So I can understand her desire to 'quit while she's ahead' especially from a job that still had it's dangers...
DS
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