Maxim de Winter is a fictional character from the novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. He is the wealthy owner of Manderley, a grand estate in England, and is portrayed as a complex man dealing with the loss of his first wife, Rebecca. His character is marked by a sense of mystery and emotional turmoil, which significantly influences the story's events. In the novel, Maxim marries a young, unnamed woman who becomes the second Mrs. de Winter. Their relationship is strained by the lingering presence of Rebecca, whose memory haunts Manderley and affects Maxim's behavior. This dynamic drives the plot and explores themes of love, jealousy, and identity.