4 most famous mistresses who changed history

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

History knows many great women who influenced its course. Life is not enough to list all of them. Among them there are very bright personalities who have left their mark on world history, acting as … the mistresses of influential men. They were their advisers and confidants. The affairs and destinies of states were decided in the bedroom. Meet incredibly influential ladies who delight and mesmerize, amaze and turn the mind - four women who changed the world.

1. Diane de Poitiers

One of the most famous beauties of her time, whose beauty was considered unfading and witchcraft, Diane de Poitiers, was born in 1499 into a family of noble French aristocrats. She received an excellent education, worthy of a Renaissance king. At a very young age, being fifteen years old, she married Louis de Brese. This was a royal officer almost half a century older than her. The prominent position of her husband led to the fact that Diana was in the center of the house of Francis I. Diana was the royal maid of honor and the darling of the court. She was present at the birth of Henry II, and later she was tasked with teaching the future monarch exquisite manners. Madame de Brese was widowed in 1531. Two years later, Henry married Catherine de Medici.

By 1538, the close relationship between Henry and Diana had grown into a passionate love affair. After her lover ascended the throne in 1547, Diana advised Henry on political issues and wrote many of his official letters, signing them "Heinrich Diana". Her images have appeared on coins and inspired works of art. The young king remained a faithful slave to his middle-aged beloved, who periodically sent him to his wife's bedroom to give birth to his legitimate heirs. Diana did not give birth to him children, but his three mistresses had children. Henry's death following an accident in a jousting tournament in 1559 brought an abrupt end to Diana's de facto rule. Catherine confiscated her castle and sent her herself to the village, where she died at the age of 66, retaining her legendary beauty.

2. Aspasia of Miletus

References to a powerful woman named Aspazia, the mistress of the ancient Greek statesman Pericles, appear in the writings of Plato, Aristophanes, Xenophon, and other classical Athenian authors. She was born in the Ionian colony of Miletus around 470 BC. and moved to Athens, where she became a heterosexual. She was the type of courtesan educated to keep the company of smart, sophisticated men. Also Aspasia may have run a brothel. Then she moved to Pericles and even bore him a son. According to Plutarch, the famous politician loved her so much that he kissed her every morning and evening until his death. Since Aspazia was a foreigner, Athenian law forbade the couple from getting married.

Ancient sources write, at times ironically, that Pericles often consulted with his companion on political and military issues. Plato even joked that Aspasia, who is called a skillful orator and an interesting conversationalist, wrote Pericles' most famous speech. It was a funeral speech delivered during the Peloponnesian War. Of course, it is very difficult to establish clear boundaries of the influence of this woman on Pericles. The only thing that is known is that during their relationship, he implemented the most incredible ambitious construction projects. It was also a true golden age of democracy. According to some historical records, Aspazia outlived her famous lover and was later associated with another Athenian bureaucrat, Fox.

3. Lola Montes

Little is known about the early years of this famous sultry woman. Only that Eliza Roseanne Gilbert was born in Ireland in 1818 or 1821. She is described as an incredible exotic beauty. At a young age, she ran away from her home, going to India for her lover. There she got married, but her marriage broke up after a few years. Around 1843, she made her debut on the London stage under the name Lola Montes. She imagined herself as a "Spanish dancer". After performing in various European capitals, she ended up in Munich, where she became the mistress of Ludwig I of Bavaria. The elderly German king caused general surprise by making her a countess, building a palace for her, and providing her with a large rent. Also, the monarch listened to Lola on all political issues.

For over a year, Lola Montes essentially ruled Bayern Munich. She spied on her opponents and mercilessly destroyed them, while her intoxicated lover condescendingly looked at it from the sidelines. Revolutionary movements, driven mainly by her influence, forced Ludwig to abdicate in 1848. Lola herself fled Bavaria and resumed her career, spending time in Europe, the United States and Australia. She subsequently settled in New York. Throughout her short life, she was followed by a trail of a lover and was accompanied by all sorts of scandals. Her provocative signature "spider dance" is legendary. Lola died in New York in 1860, a month before her 40th birthday.

4. Barbara Palmer

The most ambitious and beautiful mistress of the English king Charles II was born by Barbara Villiers to a family with a modest income in 1640. At 19, she married Robert Palmer and moved with him to Holland, where Charles lived in exile during the time of Oliver Cromwell. Sympathetic to the royalists, Barbara quickly became the mistress of the deposed king. When he later returned to London, he invited her with him. Soon, Barbara gave birth to the first of her seven children, five of whom were recognized by Charles. Her husband reluctantly accepted this relationship and even received the peerage for his non-interference.

The uncompromising Barbara's famous control over her royal lover did not diminish even after Charles's marriage in 1662 to Catherine of Braganza. She was appointed Mistress of the Bedroom, a position that guaranteed her a solid salary and access to the most powerful figures at court. Barbara amassed a small fortune by acting as an intermediary for those who hoped to gain the king's favor. She also claimed royal titles for her sons, despite Charles's highly questionable paternity. Barbara, like the king himself, had many lovers, including her cousin John Churchill, Winston's ancestor. Charles rejected Barbara around 1674. She died in 1709 at the age of 68. Among the most famous descendants of Barbara is the late Princess Diana.

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