Olimpia Maidalchini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Olimpia Maidalchini
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Contemporary portrait by Diego Velázquez
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| Born | 26 May 1591 |
| Died | 27 September 1657 (aged 66) San Martino al Cimino, Papal States
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Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj (born May 26, 1591 – died September 27, 1657) was a powerful and influential woman in 17th-century Rome. She was the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X, who was the leader of the Catholic Church and the Papal States at the time. Many people believed she had a lot of say in who got important jobs in the Church.
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Early Life and Family
Olimpia Maidalchini was born in Viterbo, a city in what was then the Papal States. She was the oldest of three daughters. Her father, Sforza Maidalchini, was a condottiere, which was a leader of a group of soldiers for hire. Her mother, Vittoria Gualterio, came from a noble family.
Olimpia's family was not very rich. To save money and keep their property for their only son, Olimpia's father wanted his daughters to become nuns. Joining a convent cost less money than arranging a good marriage. But Olimpia did not want to be a nun.
In 1608, she married Paolo Nini, a very wealthy man from Viterbo. Sadly, their two children died when they were babies, and Paolo himself died in 1611 when he was only 23.
Olimpia then married Pamphilio Pamphili. He was the older brother of Giambattista Pamphili, who would later become Pope Innocent X. Pamphilio and Olimpia lived in Naples for a while, next to Giambattista, who was working there for the Church. Their son, Camillo Francesco Maria Pamphili, was born in Naples in 1622.
When they returned to Rome, the brothers shared a large family palace. This palace had separate areas for the cardinal's staff and for Pamphilio's family.
A Pope in the Family
After Pamphilio died in 1639, his brother, Cardinal Giambattista Pamphili, became the head of the family. He and Olimpia thought about who their son, Camillo, should marry. They wanted a marriage that would help the family's standing and power.
In September 1644, Cardinal Pamphili was chosen to be the new pope. He took the name Innocent X. When a new pope was elected, it was common for him to appoint a trusted family member to help him manage the Church's business. So, soon after becoming pope, Innocent X made his nephew, Camillo, a Cardinal-nephew. This was an important role, though some of its duties were shared with others.
Later, Pope Innocent X considered arranging a marriage for Camillo. However, in 1647, Camillo decided to give up his role as a cardinal to get married. He married Olimpia Aldobrandini, who was related to another former pope.
Olimpia's Influence
After Camillo left his cardinal role, Innocent X appointed Olimpia's young half-nephew, Francesco Maidalchini, as the new Cardinal-nephew. Olimpia tried to guide Francesco, but he was not very good at the job. So, in 1650, Pope Innocent X looked for someone else.
He chose Camillo Astalli, a lawyer from a noble but not very rich family. Olimpia helped Astalli get a job as a secretary to an important cardinal. When Francesco Maidalchini failed, this cardinal suggested Astalli to the Pope.
Pope Innocent X made Astalli a cardinal and even adopted him into the Pamphili family. He also gave him a lot of money and a palace. However, this made Olimpia and the rest of the Pamphili family very upset. They did not like Astalli. Because of this family tension, Astalli eventually lost his position and was sent away from Rome.
A Special Title
Like other popes of his time, Pope Innocent X gave special titles to some of his close family members. On October 7, 1645, Olimpia Maidalchini received the title Princess of San Martino. This made the small area of San Martino al Cimino her own special principality. This title didn't give her more power than she already had as the head of the Pamphili family.
Later Years and Legacy
Olimpia Maidalchini's influence became less strong after Pope Innocent X appointed Fabio Chigi as his Secretary of State in 1652. Chigi later became the next pope.
After Pope Innocent X died in January 1655, Olimpia Maidalchini moved to San Martino al Cimino in Viterbo. She died there in 1657.
Historians have noted that Olimpia was a very capable woman. She brought a lot of wealth to the Pamphili family through her first marriage and managed much of the family's property. She was respected by Pope Innocent X for her abilities.
Some stories were told about Olimpia, especially after Pope Innocent X died. Some writers, who were not always friendly to the Pope or the Church, claimed that Olimpia controlled access to the Pope and took money from him. They even said she did not arrange a proper burial for the Pope. However, these stories are often seen as exaggerated or untrue by many historians.
Olimpia Maidalchini's reputation was also shaped by sculptures of her, like the one by Alessandro Algardi. Some people thought her serious expression in the sculpture showed her strong and sometimes harsh personality.
Despite some negative stories, Olimpia Maidalchini was a very important figure in Rome during her time. She showed how a woman could gain significant influence in a world mostly run by men.
Images for kids
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Algardi's bust of Maidalchini; terracotta version in the Hermitage Museum
