Jean Francois Paul de Gondi

Date of Birth: September 20, 1613

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: August 24, 1679

Biography

Jean François Paul de Gondi, better known as Cardinal de Retz, was a significant French clergyman and statesman born on September 20, 1613. He played an influential role during the turbulent period of the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653. Gondi was educated by the Jesuits and later at the Sorbonne, where he displayed remarkable intellectual abilities. Despite his initial reluctance to join the clergy, he was ordained a priest and eventually became the coadjutor (assistant bishop) to his uncle, the Archbishop of Paris. Cardinal de Retz is best known for his involvement in the Fronde, where he initially supported the royal cause but later sided with the rebels. His political maneuvering and oratory skills made him a key player in the conflict. After the Fronde, he was arrested and imprisoned but managed to escape and lived in exile for several years. He returned to France in 1662 and spent his later years writing his memoirs, which provide a vivid account of the French monarchy and the tumultuous events of his time.

5 Interesting Facts about Jean Francois Paul de Gondi

1. Jean François Paul de Gondi was known for his exceptional oratory skills, which he used effectively during the Fronde.

2. He was imprisoned in the Château de Vincennes and later in Nantes but managed to escape in 1654.

3. Cardinal de Retz was offered the cardinalate by Pope Innocent X in 1652.

4. His memoirs, “Mémoires,” are considered one of the greatest works of French literature and provide an invaluable historical account of the 17th century.

5. He was involved in a famous rivalry with Cardinal Mazarin, the chief minister to King Louis XIV.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean Francois Paul de Gondi

1. “When you cannot do what you would, you must do what you can.”

2. “The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs.”

3. “Eloquence is a painting of the thoughts.”

4. “In politics, as in life, we must above all be sure of what we want.”

5. “Fortune and love favor the brave.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a clergyman of the 17th century, Cardinal de Retz did not accumulate personal wealth in the modern sense. His influence and power were his primary assets.