Du Barry, Madame (1746-1793), was a mistress of King Louis XV of France. She was the last important member of a series of mistresses who played significant roles in Louis’s court.
Du Barry was born Marie-Jeanne Bécu in Champagne, France, on Aug. 19, 1746. Her parents were poor, and she had little education. She first worked in a hat shop in Paris, but soon became the mistress of Count Jean du Barry and other noblemen. She met Louis while living with Jean du Barry. Custom at the royal court required that Bécu gain higher social rank before she could become Louis’s official mistress. For this reason she married Jean’s brother, Guillaume du Barry, thus acquiring the title countess. Madame du Barry became Louis’s official mistress in 1769. At court, she was frequently involved in plots and schemes. Jealous rivals and the king’s ministers hated her.
After Louis’s death in 1774, Madame du Barry was sent to a convent for a time. During the French Revolution (1789-1799), she was accused of aiding various people who sought to restore the French monarchy. She was executed on the guillotine on Dec. 8, 1793.
