About Claire Heliot
Lived 1866 – 1953 (aged 87). Claire Heliot was a German animal trainer, circus performer and tamer.
Klara Haumann (née Pleßke; 3 December 1866 – 9 June 1953), known professionally as Claire Heliot, was a German lion tamer.
Biography Klara Pleßke was born in Halle on 3 December 1866. Her father was a government postal official.
In April 1897, she caused a sensation when she first performed at a zoo in Leipzig. She toured extensively. Accompanied by ten lions, she performed at the London Hippodrome in 1901. In America, Heriot's act was part of A Yankee Circus on Mars, appearing at the New York Hippodrome for 20 weeks in 1905 and 1906, and in Chicago in 1906.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Claire Heliot?
German lion tamer (1866–1953)
When was Claire Heliot born?
Claire Heliot was born on 9 February 1866 in Halle (Saale).
When did Claire Heliot die?
Claire Heliot died on 9 June 1953 in Stuttgart.
What was Claire Heliot's occupation?
Claire Heliot was an animal trainer, circus performer and tamer.
What nationality was Claire Heliot?
Claire Heliot was German.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Claire Heliot. https://biography.guide/claire-heliot/
MLA: "Claire Heliot." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/claire-heliot/.
Chicago: "Claire Heliot." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/claire-heliot/.
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