Madame de Stael

Date of Birth: April 22, 1766

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: July 14, 1817

Biography

Madame de Staël, born Anne-Louise Germaine Necker, was a prominent French-Swiss writer, political theorist, and salonnière who played a significant role in the literary and political life of her time. She was born on April 22, 1766, in Paris, France. Her father, Jacques Necker, was a prominent banker and finance minister under Louis XVI, and her mother, Suzanne Curchod, was a well-known salon hostess. Madame de Staël was highly educated and well-versed in multiple languages, which allowed her to engage with the leading intellectuals and political figures of the day. Her salon in Paris became a hub for Enlightenment thinkers and later, during the French Revolution, a refuge for political exiles. Her most notable works include “Delphine” and “Corinne ou l’Italie,” both of which explore themes of individual freedom, the role of women in society, and the conflict between personal desires and social conventions. Madame de Staël’s outspoken nature and her critical views on Napoleon Bonaparte led to her exile from France. During her time in exile, she traveled extensively across Europe, influencing and being influenced by the intellectual currents of her time. She died on July 14, 1817, in Paris, leaving behind a legacy of literary and political influence that continues to be studied and admired.

5 Interesting Facts about Madame de Stael

1. Madame de Staël’s father, Jacques Necker, was the finance minister of France under King Louis XVI and played a crucial role in the events leading up to the French Revolution.

2. She was a key figure in the Romantic movement, and her works have been credited with helping to shape its development.

3. Her salon was one of the most famous in Paris and attracted leading intellectuals such as Benjamin Constant, Lord Byron, and Goethe.

4. She was exiled by Napoleon Bonaparte due to her critical writings about his regime, which she viewed as tyrannical and anti-democratic.

5. Madame de Staël was known for her passionate advocacy for women’s rights and education, making her a pioneering figure in the early feminist movement.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Madame de Stael

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

2. “To understand everything makes one very indulgent.”

3. “One must choose in life between boredom and suffering.”

4. “The voice of conscience is so delicate that it is easy to stifle it, but it is also so clear that it is impossible to mistake it.”

5. “In matters of the heart, nothing is true except the improbable.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Madame de Staël’s highest net worth is difficult to determine in modern monetary terms, but she inherited a considerable fortune from her father and maintained a lifestyle that allowed her to host one of the most influential salons in Europe.

Children

Madame de Staël had five children with her husband, Baron Erik Magnus Staël von Holstein: 1. Auguste Louis de Staël-Holstein 2. Albertine de Staël-Holstein (later known as Albertine de Broglie) 3. Gustave de Staël-Holstein 4. Victorine de Staël-Holstein (died in infancy) 5. A second child named Victorine de Staël-Holstein (died in infancy)