Louis XIV's Mistresses

Louis XIV, was not only famous for his long reign and the opulence of his court at Versailles, but also for his many romantic liaisons. From 1638 to 1715, he ruled over the court with charm and personality. Everyone was eager to be in the company of the Sun King. At least 20 women involved themselves with his majesty but he was only devoted to 3 women in his life. Let’s meet the mistresses of King Louis XIV:

Catherine Bellier, Baroness de Beauvais:

Catherine Bellier, mistress of the bedchamber to Louis XIV's mother, Anne of Austria, was known more for her cunning than her looks. To ensure the young king's masculinity, Anne of Austria asked her 38-year-old attendant to deflower the fifteen-year-old Louis. Bellier was then rewarded with property and status. She became popular among the courtiers, lived lavishly, but died in poverty at the age of 75. 

Marie Mancini, Duchess & Princess of Paliano:

Marie Mancini, one of the famed "Mazarinettes," the nieces of Cardinal Mazarin, captivated young Louis. Their passionate affair nearly led to marriage, but political necessity forced the king to wed Maria Theresa of Spain instead. Marie married Prince Lorenzo Colonna of Italy, but endured an abusive relationship before leaving him. She later traveled across Europe with her sister Hortense and became one of the first women to publish memoirs. Marie lived to the age of 75.

Louise de La Vallière, Duchess of La Vallière & Vaujours:

Daughter of a military officer, Louise became maid of honor to Henrietta of England, Louis's sister-in-law. Through a courtly ruse meant to disguise gossip about Henrietta and the king, Louise became Louis's first great love. Innocent and devout, she bore him several children, two of whom survived to adulthood. When the king flaunted his adultery, Louise, ashamed, fled to a convent twice. Eventually replaced by Madame de Montespan, she spent the final 36 years of her life as a nun, dying at the age of 65.

Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons:

Olympia, Marie's sister, was lively and ambitious. She tried to win Louis from Louise de La Vallière but failed. Later accused in the "Affair of the Poisons," Olympia fled France after accusations that she had murdered Princess Henrietta and plotted against the king. Though likely innocent, she lived in exile until she died in Brussels on her 70th birthday.

Bonne de Pons d’Heudicourt, Marquise d’Heudicourt:

Bonne de Pons, a Huguenot who converted to Catholicism for social advancement, briefly caught the attention of Louis while serving as the maid of honor to Queen Maria Theresa. Her family removed her from court when the affair became known. She later married the Marquis d'Heudicourt and remained at court until her death at the age of 65.

Catherine Charlotte de Gramont, Princess of Monaco:

Catherine Charlotte was married to the Prince of Monaco, but found court life and lovers more exciting. She engaged in several affairs, including one with the king. After being exiled for scandalous behavior, she eventually returned to Paris as a lady-in-waiting to Madame de Montespan. She died of cancer at 39, but her lineage continued through her son, the ancestor of today's Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Gabrielle de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Marquise of Thianges

Gabrielle, elder sister of Madame de Montespan, also briefly became the king's lover before marrying and bearing four children. Like her sister, she is an ancestor of Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart, Marquise de Montespan:

The most famous of Louis's mistresses, Madame de Montespan, was intelligent, cultured, and dazzlingly beautiful. After replacing Louise de La Vallière, she bore the king seven children, four of them survived to adulthood. Known for her wit and extravagance, she lived lavishly at Versailles until the "Affair of the Poisons". Though never convicted, she was disgraced and retired from court life, devoting her later years to charity. She died at 66.

Anne de Rohan-Chabot, Princess of Soubise

Anne du Lude de Chamille was a noblewoman known for her striking red hair and disciplined diet. She had a six-year affair with the king while still married to a military officer who tolerated it for financial gain. When the king turned his affection elsewhere, Anne withdrew gracefully and lived peacefully with her husband.

Isabelle de Ludres, Marquess of Ludres:

Isabelle, daughter of a minor noble, became a maid of honor to both Princess Henrietta and Queen Maria Theresa. She began an affair with Louis during one of his disputes with Madame de Montespan. Though briefly favored, her arrogance led to her dismissal. She lived to be 79.

Claude de Vin des Œillets:

Claude was a lady's companion to Madame de Montespan and, at her mistress's request, slept with the king while Montespan was away giving birth, to keep rivals at bay. She bore Louis a daughter and was later accused of involvement in poison plots. She was exiled and lived comfortably in retirement.

Marie Angélique de Scorailles, Duchess of Fontanges

A young maid of honor described as beautiful but unintelligent, Angélique captivated the aging Louis when she was only seventeen. Their affair was brief and tragic. She lost two children, both stillborn, and died at nineteen, likely from tuberculosis. Her signature hairstyle, the "fontange," became a fashion sensation across Europe.

Françoise d’Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon

Born to poverty, Françoise rose from orphanhood to become governess to the king's illegitimate children and, later, Louis's secret wife. Known for her piety, intellect, and discretion, she replaced Montespan as Louis's lifelong companion. The pair married secretly in 1683 after Queen Maria Theresa's death. As Marquise de Maintenon, she influenced royal policy, education, and religion, founding the Maison Royale de Saint-Louis for noble girls. She outlived the king by four years and died at the age of eighty-three, honored for her virtue and intellect.