Anne of Austria

Anne of Austria (1601–66), queen consort and regent of France. The daughter of King Philip III of Spain, Anne married King Louis XIII of France in 1615. Her position at court was precarious because of France's involvement in the Thirty Years' War against Spain and Austria. After her husband's death in 1643, Anne served as regent for her young son, King Louis XIV, relying on Cardinal Mazarin, the successor of Cardinal Richelieu, for guidance. In 1651 she had her 13-year-old son proclaimed of age, but she remained powerful until the death of Mazarin in 1661, when Louis personally took control of the state.

See also: Mazarin, Jules Cardinal.