Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans

Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier (29 May 1627 – 5 April 1693) known as La Grande Mademoiselle, was the eldest daughter of Gaston d'Orléans, and his first wife Marie de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier (duchess in her own right). She inherited her title from her mother and was given to her first cousin the Duke of Orléans in 1695 by order of Louis XIV when it was clear that Anne Marie Louise would not have children. She was known as Mademoiselle for most of her life. She was the wealthiest woman of her time.

Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans
Duchess of Montpensier
Detail of a portrait of Mademoiselle by Jean Nocret
Born	(1627-05-29)29 May 1627 Palais du Louvre, Paris, France
Died	5 April 1693(1693-04-05) (aged 65) Palais du Luxembourg, Paris, France
Burial	19 April 1693 Royal Basilica of Saint Denis, France
House	House of Orléans
Father	Gaston, Duke of Orléans
Mother	Marie de Bourbon
Signature

Biography

Her mother died giving birth to her. Her mother was the Duchess of Montpensier in her own right and the title was inherited by Anne Marie Louise. She was one of the greatest heiresses in history. She died unmarried and childless, leaving her vast fortune to her cousin, Philippe of France. After a string of proposals from various members of European royalty, including Charles II of England, Afonso VI of Portugal and Charles Emmanuel II of Savoy, she eventually fell in love with Antoine Nompar de Caumont, Duke of Lauzun and scandalised the court when she asked Louis XIV for permission to marry him, as such a union was viewed as a mésalliance. She is best remembered for her role in the Fronde, bringing the famous opera composer Jean Baptiste Lully to the king's court, and her Mémoires. She carried out various improvements to the Château of Eu, Château of Saint-Fargeau and Château of Choisy, her personal properties.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and Styles

Was known as a person

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Media related to Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans at Wikimedia Commons