Hortense Mancini was an Italian noblewoman born in 1646, known for her beauty and charm. She was the niece of Cardinal Mazarin, the chief minister to Louis XIV of France. Hortense became a prominent figure in the French court, where she was admired for her wit and intelligence. In 1661, she married Armand de La Meilleraye, a wealthy French nobleman, but their marriage was tumultuous. After separating from her husband, Hortense lived a life of independence and became a celebrated figure in Parisian society, known for her influence and connections among the elite.