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Madame du Barry |
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Madame Marie du Barry was born Marie-Jeanne Bécu at Vaucouleurs, Lorraine, the illegitimate daughter of Anne Becu, who was variously reported as a seamstress or a cook. Her father was possibly Jean Baptiste Gormand of Vaubernier, a friar. During her childhood, one of her mother's extra-marital lovers funded her education at a convent. At the age of 15 Marie-Jeanne moved to Paris, where, using the name Jeanne Rancon, she worked as a milliner's assistant in a shop. As reflected in art from the time, she was a remarkably attractive woman. Her beauty came to the attention of Jean du Barry, a nobleman, in 1763. He made her his mistress and helped establish her career as a courtesan in the highest circles of Parisian society, enabling her to take several wealthy men as her benefactors. |