Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier

Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, known as La Grande Mademoiselle, was born on May twenty-ninth, sixteen twenty-seven. As the only daughter of Gaston d'Orléans and his first wife, Marie de Bourbon, she emerged as one of the most significant heiresses in history. Despite her wealth and status, she remained unmarried and childless, ultimately bequeathing her vast fortune to her cousin, Philippe I, Duke of Orléans.

Throughout her life, La Grande Mademoiselle received numerous marriage proposals from prominent figures across Europe, including Charles II of England, Afonso VI of Portugal, and Charles Emmanuel II of Savoy. However, her heart belonged to the courtier Antoine Nompar de Caumont. This affection led her to request permission from Louis XIV to marry him, a move that caused a stir at the French court due to the perceived social disparity of the union.

La Grande Mademoiselle is perhaps best remembered for her involvement in the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France, and for her significant contributions to the arts, notably bringing the composer Jean-Baptiste Lully into the royal court. Her literary legacy, encapsulated in her Mémoires, offers a unique glimpse into the life and times of a remarkable woman who navigated the complexities of court life with grace and ambition.