Candida Royalle, a renowned figure in the adult entertainment industry, was born on October 15, 1950, in the vibrant city of New York. Raised by her father and stepmother after her biological mother abandoned her at just 18 months old, Candida's early life was marked by resilience and determination.
As a young woman, Candida immersed herself in the arts, studying dance, music, and design at prestigious institutions such as the High School of Art and Design, Parsons School of Design, and City University of New York. Her passion for the arts was matched only by her involvement in the women's movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In 1970, Candida relocated to San Francisco, California, where she began her career as a singer in clubs and theaters. However, it was in the mid-1970s that she made the transition to the adult entertainment industry, starring in her first explicit hardcore film.
After acting in a handful of X-rated features, Candida returned to her native New York City in 1980 and founded Femme Productions in 1984. With a clear vision to create erotica that celebrated female desire and aimed to help couples in therapy, Candida's work was a pioneering force in the "couples" market.
Characterized by its emphasis on depicting sex in a respectful and empowering manner, Candida's productions were a breath of fresh air in an industry often criticized for its degrading and misogynistic content. Her commitment to showcasing sex within the broader context of women's social and emotional lives earned her recognition as an early feminist pioneer.
Candida's impact extended beyond the adult entertainment industry. She was a signatory to the Post Porn Modernist Manifesto in 1989 and a founding board member of Feminists for Free Expression. Her advocacy for sex education and her refusal to compromise on her artistic vision earned her respect and admiration from her peers.
In addition to her work in the adult industry, Candida was also a published author. Her book, "How to Tell a Naked Man What to Do," was released in 2004.
Tragically, Candida Royalle passed away on September 7, 2015, at the age of 64, after a battle with ovarian cancer. Her legacy, however, lives on, inspiring future generations of artists, entrepreneurs, and advocates for sexual freedom and empowerment.
