Marie de Medici

Marie de' Medici was an Italian noblewoman who became Queen Consort of France by marrying King Henry IV in 1600. Born in 1573 to the powerful Medici family, she played a significant role in French politics after her husband’s assassination in 1610, serving as regent for their son, King Louis XIII. Marie was known for her patronage of the arts, commissioning works from prominent artists like Peter Paul Rubens. Her life was marked by political struggles and conflicts with powerful nobles, eventually leading to her exile in 1631. Marie's legacy includes her influence on French culture and politics.