The LaVey Family: A Saga of Satanism, Secrets, and Strange Bedfellows

In the shadowy corners of American counterculture, few families loom as large or as enigmatic as the LaVeys. Their patriarch, Anton Szandor LaVey, was the infamous founder of the Church of Satan, a charismatic figure who preached a philosophy of self-empowerment, indulgence, and the rejection of traditional morality. His teachings resonated with those who felt alienated by mainstream society, and his Church attracted a diverse following of artists, musicians, and freethinkers.

But behind the public facade of devilish glamour and provocative rituals, the LaVey family harbored a tangle of complex relationships, bitter feuds, and dark secrets. From Anton's multiple marriages and enigmatic lovers to the accusations of abuse and manipulation that have haunted his legacy, the story of the LaVeys is a captivating and disturbing tale that continues to fascinate and repel in equal measure.

Anton LaVey: The Black Pope of Satanism

Born Howard Stanton Levey in 1930, Anton LaVey was a self-proclaimed iconoclast from an early age. He dabbled in the occult, played the organ in burlesque houses, and even worked as a lion tamer before founding the Church of Satan on Walpurgisnacht, 1966. With his shaved head, goatee, and penchant for black attire, LaVey cultivated a sinister persona that captivated the media and drew in curious seekers.

LaVey's magnum opus, "The Satanic Bible," published in 1969, became a controversial bestseller. It laid out the tenets of LaVeyan Satanism, which emphasized individualism, hedonism, and the pursuit of worldly success. While critics condemned the book as a dangerous manifesto for immorality, its adherents saw it as a liberating alternative to the perceived hypocrisy and repression of mainstream religion.

The Women in Anton's Life

Anton LaVey's personal life was as unconventional as his philosophy. He was married three times and had numerous lovers, each of whom played a significant role in the development of the Church of Satan and the shaping of his legacy.

• Carole Lansing: LaVey's first wife and the mother of his eldest daughter, Karla. Their marriage ended in divorce, but Karla remained close to her father and eventually became the High Priestess of the First Satanic Church, a separate organization founded by Anton's former associates.
• Diane Hegarty: LaVey's second wife and the mother of his daughter Zeena. Hegarty was a powerful figure in the early Church, serving as its High Priestess and contributing to its rituals and publications. However, their relationship soured, and Hegarty eventually left the Church, taking Zeena with her.
• Blanche Barton: LaVey's third and final wife, who became his confidante and caregiver in his later years. Barton inherited the majority of LaVey's estate, including the Church of Satan, after his death in 1997.

Zeena Schreck: The Rebellious Daughter

Zeena Schreck, the daughter of Anton LaVey and Diane Hegarty, was once the heir apparent to the Church of Satan. She served as its High Priestess and spokesperson, captivating the media with her beauty, intelligence, and outspokenness.

However, in 1990, Zeena publicly renounced the Church and accused her parents of abuse and manipulation. Her allegations sent shockwaves through the Satanic community and tarnished the LaVey family's reputation. Zeena went on to become a vocal critic of her father's legacy, exposing what she saw as the dark underbelly of the Church of Satan.

Karla LaVey: The Keeper of the Flame

Karla LaVey, Anton's eldest daughter, has remained steadfast in her loyalty to her father's teachings. She heads the First Satanic Church, which adheres to the original principles of LaVeyan Satanism. Karla is a fierce defender of her father's legacy, dismissing Zeena's accusations as fabrications and maintaining that Anton was a misunderstood visionary.

Satan Xerxes Carnacki LaVey: The Enigmatic Son

Satan Xerxes Carnacki LaVey, Anton's son and youngest child, has largely stayed out of the public eye. He has made few public statements about his father or the Church of Satan, preferring to maintain a private life.

The LaVey Legacy: A Controversial Inheritance

The LaVey family's legacy is a complex and contested one. Anton LaVey's ideas continue to inspire and provoke, attracting both devoted followers and vehement critics. The Church of Satan remains a controversial institution, shrouded in secrecy and dogged by accusations of abuse and misconduct.

The family itself is fractured, with Zeena estranged from her mother and half-sister. Karla and Blanche Barton, the inheritors of Anton's estate, have clashed over the control of the Church and its assets. The LaVey name, once synonymous with Satanic power and glamour, is now tainted by scandal and infighting.

Yet, despite the controversies and contradictions, the LaVey family's story remains a compelling one. It is a tale of ambition, rebellion, and the enduring power of ideas, even those that challenge the very foundations of society. Whether one views Anton LaVey as a charlatan or a visionary, there is no denying that he left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. And as the next generation of LaVeys grapple with their inheritance, the saga of this extraordinary family is far from over.