 Countess Dracula was based on Hungarian Countess Erzsebet (our  modern day "Elizabeth") Bathory who lived from 1560 to 1614.  Countess Bathory was allegedly responsible for the deaths of  approximately 600 virgin girls, all of which involved torture and  gruesome methods of killing. Her atrocities are mostly speculation.  She is credited for influencing our modern day concept of Dracula as  an entity depending on human blood for youth and vitality.