Marie Jeanne Becu, also known as Madame du Barry, was a French courtesan and the last official mistress of King Louis XV of France. She was born on August 19, 1743, in Vaucouleurs, Lorraine, and died on December 8, 1793, in Paris.
Madame du Barry rose to prominence as a result of her extraordinary beauty and charming personality. Becoming a courtesan, she used her wit and charm to gain favor with wealthy and influential men of the time. In 1768, she caught the eye of Louis XV and became his official mistress, thereby ascending to the role of the king's favorite.
Despite her lack of noble lineage, Madame du Barry was able to exert considerable influence over the king and became a prominent figure in French society. She was known for her extravagant lifestyle, indulging in lavish parties, luxurious clothing, and expensive jewelry.
However, her position as the king's mistress came to an end with Louis XV's death in 1774. Following the French Revolution, her association with the monarchy and her extravagant lifestyle became liabilities. In 1793, during the Reign of Terror, Madame du Barry was arrested and ultimately executed by guillotine.
Marie Jeanne Becu, or Madame du Barry, is remembered as a legendary figure of the French court, closely associated with the twilight of the Ancien Régime. Through her life and demise, she embodies the intrigue, excesses, and ultimate reckoning of the French aristocracy during a time of great social and political change.
