Cassandra Peterson, the woman the world knows as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, was born on September 17, 1951, in Manhattan, Kansas. But her story is far darker than most fans ever imagine. At only 18 months old, she suffered third-degree burns over much of her body after a boiling pot of water spilled on her—an accident that left permanent scars and a childhood filled with cruel bullying. Instead of hiding, Cassandra fought back with humor and boldness. By her teens, she was already performing