Marie Leszczynska
Queen · 1725-1768 · born on 23 June 1703, died on 24 June 1768
Daughter of Stanislas Leszczynski, the former and deposed King of Poland, Marie married the young Louis XV in 1725. The dynastic choice surprised the court: the daughter of a monarch no longer on his throne became Queen of France, though Marie herself had never been “deposed.”
A discreet, pious and generous queen, she devoted herself to religion, charitable works and her children, whose education she oversaw. The king quickly drifted away from her and preferred a succession of favourites, including Madame de Pompadour.
Despite this eclipse, Marie remained popular and deeply respected. She gave the crown a numerous offspring, ensuring the continuity of the Bourbons. She died in 1768, at sixty-five.
In the tree of power
- Spouse: Louis XV (1715-1774)