She’s widely recognized as a founder and High Priestess of the Church of Satan, playing a pivotal role in shaping its beliefs and practices. Over the years, she compiled and edited several key texts that became central to the church’s philosophy—works like The Devil’s Notebook, The Satanic Bible, and The Satanic Witch. Before rising to prominence in the religious sphere, she spent a decade serving as Chair of San Francisco’s Graphological Society, showcasing her early intellectual depth and leadership. Her life took a deeply personal turn through her more than twenty-year relationship with Anton LaVey, co-founder of the Church of Satan, which led to the birth of their daughter, Zeena. In later years, she and LaVey also took on the responsibility of raising their grandson, Stanton Zaharoff, further anchoring her legacy within both the spiritual and familial realms. As a central figure in this movement, her influence continues to resonate, and her contributions remain essential to understanding the evolution of modern Satanism.
During the 1980s, her church came under intense scrutiny amid the Satanic Ritual Abuse panic, a wave largely fueled by fundamentalist Christian groups. She found herself at the center of it all, as her church was forced to defend its practices and reputation. In those turbulent times, her leadership became crucial, as she worked tirelessly to protect her congregation. It was a period when fear ran high, and her church, under her guidance, stood firm despite the mounting pressure. Her name became synonymous with resilience during that era, as she navigated the challenges head-on. Her name echoed in discussions across communities, often cited as an example of how misinformation could target innocent institutions. Through it all, her name remained tied to the story of a church unjustly accused but unwavering in its mission.