Marie Émilie de Joly de Choin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marie Émilie de Joly
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| Mademoiselle de Choin | |
Drawing of Mademoiselle de Choin.
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| Full name |
Marie Émilie Thérèse de Joly
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| Born | 2 August 1670 Bourg-en-Bresse, France |
| Died | 14 April 1732 (aged 62) Rue des Tournelles, Paris, France |
| Buried | Cemetery of Saint Paul des Champs |
| Spouse(s) | Louis, Grand Dauphin (in secret) |
| Issue | a son, 1695–1697 |
| Father | Claude de Joly, Baron de Choin |
| Mother | Anne Clémence Bonne, Dame de Grolée |
| Occupation | Secret wife of Louis of France |
Marie Émilie Thérèse de Joly (born August 2, 1670 – died 1732) was a French lady-in-waiting, a woman who helped a royal lady. She became the secret wife of Louis, the Dauphin of France. The Dauphin was the son of the king and next in line to the throne. Their marriage was a morganatic one. This means that even though they were married, Marie Émilie did not get the title of Dauphine of France or any royal rights. She was still known as Mademoiselle de Choin.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Court Role
Marie Émilie was born in Bourg-en-Bresse, France. Her parents were Guillaume Claude de Joly, Baron de Choin, and Anne Clemence de Grolee de Mepieu. She worked as a lady-in-waiting for Marie Anne de Bourbon, who was the Princess of Conti and the king's daughter. People thought Marie Émilie was not very pretty, but she was known for being spiritual and kind.
Relationship with the Dauphin
Louis, the Grand Dauphin, fell in love with Marie Émilie after his first wife passed away in 1690. They began a relationship. At the same time, Marie Émilie was also involved with Count Francois Alphonse de Clermont-Chaste. There were rumours that Marie Émilie and Clermont-Chaste had secret plans to gain power through their relationship with the Dauphin. When these plans were found out, Marie Émilie and Clermont-Chaste were sent away from the royal court. However, this did not end her relationship with Louis.
Secret Marriage
Marie Émilie and Louis secretly married in 1694. We do not know many details about their wedding. However, in a letter dated July 19, 1694, the Dauphin wrote to Madame de Maintenon and called Marie Émilie his legal wife.
Even though they were married, their union was not officially recognized by the public or the court. Marie Émilie did not become the Dauphine. She continued to be known as Mademoiselle de Choin and did not take part in official court life.
Marie Émilie lived at the palace of Meudon. There, she acted much like Madame de Maintenon did at the main court. She was a hostess for her husband, welcoming important people like dukes and foreign visitors. She was even allowed to sit in a chair in front of royal family members and call them by their first names. Despite this special treatment, she dressed simply and did not try to gain more power or get involved in politics.
The Dauphin did not have any children from this secret marriage that were officially recognized. However, some historians, like Georges Mongrédien, believe that Marie Émilie was pregnant when she married. They claim a son was born in 1695 but sadly died at the age of two in 1697.
Later Life and Death
After Louis, the Dauphin, passed away in 1711, Marie Émilie decided to live a quiet life away from the public eye. Louis had left her a large amount of money in his will. But she tore up the will, saying that when he was alive, she only needed him, and after his death, she only needed a small amount to live on.
The king gave Marie Émilie a pension, which was a regular payment. She used her time and money to help others through charity work. She did not participate in society life anymore. Marie Émilie died in Paris in 1732. She was respected by everyone for her good character and private virtues.
