Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon
Born in a prison, she rose from impoverished widow to become the secret wife and most trusted advisor of Europe's most powerful king, Louis XIV.
1635–1719 (age 84)·Morganatic wife of Louis XIV·Birthday: November 27
Biography
Françoise d'Aubigné's life was an extraordinary ascent through the rigid strata of 17th-century France. Her early years were marked by poverty and instability, beginning with her birth in a prison where her father was incarcerated. A widow after a marriage to the satirist Paul Scarron, she secured a position as governess to the illegitimate children of King Louis XIV and his mistress, Madame de Montespan. Intelligent, discreet, and deeply religious, Françoise earned the trust of the Sun King himself. After the death of Queen Marie-Thérèse, Louis XIV married Françoise in a private ceremony. Though never crowned queen and known as Madame de Maintenon, she wielded immense influence as the king's closest confidante until his death. She championed a more pious and restrained court, founded the prestigious school for noble girls at Saint-Cyr, and served as a quiet but steadying force behind the throne during the latter, more somber years of Louis's long reign.
#1 When Françoise Was Born
The biggest hits of 1635
Françoise's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1635Born
1640Started school
1648Became a teenager
1651Could drive
1653Could vote
1656Turned 21
1665Turned 30
1675Turned 40
1685Turned 50
1695Turned 60
1705Turned 70
1715Turned 80
1719Died at 84
Key Achievements
- Became the morganatic, secret wife of King Louis XIV of France, wielding significant political influence for over 30 years.
- Founded and directed the Royal House of Saint Louis, a pioneering educational institution for girls from impoverished noble families at Saint-Cyr.
- Acted as the primary governess and caretaker for the king's many illegitimate children, legitimizing her position at court.
- Promoted a shift towards religious piety and morality in the later years of Louis XIV's court.
Did You Know?
She was a Protestant for part of her childhood but converted to Catholicism under pressure from her guardian.
The school she founded, Saint-Cyr, initially used plays written by Jean Racine for the education of its students.
Her apartments at Versailles were directly accessible to the King's private chambers via a hidden staircase.
She was known for her extensive correspondence, with thousands of her letters surviving.
“True friendship is a slow grower; it never thrives unless engrafted upon a stock of known and reciprocal merit.”
