Father of Five Victor Hugo and His Favorite Courtesan: A 50-Year Love Story

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

He considered himself the only classic of the 19th century, and she called him God. Victor Hugo was married, had hundreds of mistresses and an affair with a courtesan that lasted half a century. The beautiful Juliette Drouet became his muse, irreplaceable assistant, first advisor, friend. What was this woman who conquered the French writer?

Errors of youth

Victor Hugo married at the age of 20 with a neighbor from a wealthy bourgeois family. Fervent feelings for Adele Fouche were fueled by the disapproval of this marriage by parents on both sides. Hugo's mother, the bride did not seem noble enough, Adele's parents were not satisfied with the poverty of the Hugo family. But Hugo's mother died, and the first publication brought Victor money, fame and position at court. The case was settled. Victor and Adele got married. She bore him five children. Only in marriage, both were unhappy.

According to her husband, Adele was too cold, and she, in turn, was tired. It was not in her plans to produce a child every year. She demanded calmness. But Adele's main flaw was different: she did not read a single line of him.

- Adele wrote to her husband.

Adele Fouche preferred Hugo his friend. The poet and critic Sainte-Beuve became his beloved. He was less talented, but more attentive. Whether the adultery was physical is not truly known. Hugo did not divorce, but he kept his relationship with his wife to a minimum. He was 30 when a muse appeared in his life - a woman named Juliette.

Juliette

She was only 4 years younger. She was famed as one of the most beautiful women in Paris, famous and very influential lovers, a daughter from her first patron, the sculptor Jean-Jacques Pradier. And she also worked in the theater, adored social life, expensive clothes, was wasteful. And she had debts. 20 thousand francs was a huge amount in those days.

Acquaintance

According to one version, Victor and Juliette met at the theater. The delightful beauty got a small role in his play "Lucrezia Borgia". The girl said one witty phrase, and Victor Hugo was subdued.

It seems that this woman was born a muse. Here's how Hugo, in love, described her appearance after the first meeting:

They got to know each other better. She taught the inexperienced Victor the wisdom of love, he went crazy with jealousy. At that time, Juliette lived in a luxurious apartment, which the Russian prince Anatoly Demidov rented for her.

What love requires

Hugo's love turned out to be mutual. Drouet gave up all her connections. The new chosen one demanded purity from her, and she obeyed. He was jealous and she gave up social life. The writer, who was inherent in romanticism in everything, refused to humiliate his beloved with handouts. Now she is not a kept woman, but a secretary. She rewrites the manuscripts completely. And he pays her for it. Later it turns out that this salary was not sufficient. Juliette struggled to make ends meet. I wrote down every penny spent. She was persecuted by creditors, and the lady was forced to mortgage all her jewelry and dresses. However, the debt was not paid in full. Hugo was furious, but paid off the debt.

Having received everything he wanted, Victor Hugo became interested in others. Biographers have counted more than two hundred mistresses. Among his passions were various women: young prostitutes, maids and noble ladies. A talented, wealthy and famous writer enjoyed success with the weaker sex. But he always returned to her. He worked at the desk in her small apartment. She could watch for hours as her "great poet" writes. French writer and biographer Henri Troillet believes that Juliette herself had a literary talent. This is evidenced by her letters.

Juliette Drouet lived a recluse and grew old early. A gray-haired woman in an old dress waited patiently for Hugo, but he came less and less often. She knew about all his connections. He even brought some passions to her house. She resigned herself to this.

The final

Juliette managed to regain his love and affection. The military coup of 1851 helped win his heart for the second time. Now power belonged to Napoleon III. Disgruntled Parisians took to the barricades. Victor Hugo was also in the forefront. The faithful Juliette Drouet stood next to him shoulder to shoulder. She is not only the best listener and advisor, she is a companion. And Hugo was able to appreciate it.

Until the end of their lives, Victor and Juliette wrote romantic letters to each other. Only her he called his "true wife." He dedicated poetry and books to her. And on his anniversary he presented a picture with a touching inscription:

Drouet was very ill. Doctors made a terrible diagnosis - cancer. She died three months later. Her beloved writer survived Juliet by only two years.

For those who are interested in the work of the great Hugo, Riddles of Notre Dame Cathedral and details that readers often forget.