Ruinous Facts About Louise de la Vallière, The Maligned Mistress
Louise de la Vallière was one of King Louis XIV’s many mistresses but his only true love. Innocent and naïve, Louise waltzed—or limped—right into the King’s heart but then went running for the nunnery when it all fell apart. Read these heartbreaking facts about the modest mistress that gave it all up for a life of rosaries and celibacy.
1. She Was Born In A Prison
Louise de la Vallière was born on August 6, 1644 to noble French parents. Her father was Marquis de la Vallière and her mother had previously been married to a high-ranking statesman. Louise spent most of her earlier years in Chateau d’Amboise which later became an infamous prison. But, given her tragic destiny, Louise might have been better off in a prison.
2. She Had A Limp
Despite the fact that she had noble blood, Louise came into the world with a sad deformity—a birth defect that would stalk her forever. One of Louise’s legs was shorter than the other and it left her with a distinctive limp. Fortunately, she had special shoes made to cover up her defect. With this disguise, however, little Louise enjoyed her youth...That is, until a harsh reality came knocking.
3. Her Childhood Ended Abruptly
Louise’s childhood was, for the most part, pretty idyllic for a little French noblewoman with a limp. But sadly, her fairytale childhood ended suddenly at the age of seven when her father passed.
Louise’s mother quickly moved on to her third husband, the butler of Gaston, Duke of Orléans, who just so happened to be King Louis XIV’s uncle.
This close connection to the illustrious king changed Louise's life forever.
4. She Wasn’t Very Pretty
Louise became close friends with the daughters of Gaston, Duke of Orléans who were first cousins of King Louis XIV. But she wasn’t the likeliest girl to attract the King’s attention. No one at court described Louise as a “striking beauty” or as being particularly brilliant. However, she did have her charms. She would, after all, snag a king.
