Jeanne du Barry

Jeanne Vaubernier is born as the illegitimate child of a Catholic monk and a cook named Anne. Due to her circumstances, she is sent to a convent at a young age, where her rebellious nature begins to surface.

While in the convent, Jeanne develops a keen interest in reading, specifically erotic literature. This voracious reading leads to her expulsion as the authorities deem her behavior unacceptable.

After her expulsion, Jeanne moves to Paris, where she starts working as a reader for a wealthy widow named Madame de la Garde. It is here that she begins to develop her social skills and charm the aristocrats.

Jeanne's fortunes take a turn when Madame de la Garde expels her after discovering that Jeanne has entertained her sons. This marks Jeanne's increasing complexity in navigating her relationships with the wealthy elite.

Jeanne quickly rises through the ranks of society as she becomes an adept courtesan, charming wealthy lovers and enjoying a life of luxury. Her skills in libertinage make her a sought-after figure among the elite.

During her rise, Jeanne meets a French count named Jean. His royal connections soon spark interest from the king's court and her life takes an unexpected turn as she enters the world of power and intrigue.

Count Jean's courtier friend, Duke Richelieu, facilitates Jeanne's introduction to King Louis XV. This meeting sets in motion her eventual rise to be the king's mistress, changing her life forever.

As part of her courtship with the king, Louis XV's physician examines Jeanne to rule out any diseases. This medical scrutiny underscores the political and personal stakes involved in her relationship with the king.

In 1768, the death of Queen Marie, after 43 years of reigning as consort, reshapes the court dynamics significantly. Jeanne steps into a prominent role soon after, becoming the king's new mistress amidst a backdrop of mourning.

Following the Queen's death and the subsequent upheaval at court, Jeanne finds herself spending considerably more time at Versailles instead of Parc-aux-Cerfs. Her status as the new mistress solidifies her position in high society.

Amid her activities at court, Jeanne selects Zamor, a young page, to serve at her side. This decision demonstrates her influence in the royal household and her ability to shape her surroundings according to her whims.

In a dramatic turn of events, Louise of France, the youngest legitimate daughter of the king, decides to leave Versailles to become a nun. Louise’s decision is a direct consequence of her father’s association with mistress Jeanne.

In 1770, significant political events unfold, including the marriage of the young Dauphin to Marie Antoinette, with Stephen Francis, Duke of Choiseul, serving as prime minister. Mercy represents Austria's interests in these affairs, illustrating the intertwining of French and Austrian nobility.

Tragedy strikes when King Louis XV contracts smallpox, a critical juncture that drastically alters court life. Jeanne, already despised by many for her status, finds herself at the center of hostility from the king's legitimate family and the clergy.

With the king's passing, Jeanne quickly falls from grace and is expelled from Versailles. Ultimately, she experiences betrayal and faces execution on December 8, 1793, due to her associations with the fallen royalty, marking a tragic end to her storied life.