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Barry, Marie Jeanne, Comtesse du, née Bécu 1741-93
French courtesan

Born in Vaucouleurs, the illegitimate daughter of a dressmaker, she was introduced to society as Mademoiselle Lange by her lover, Jean du Barry. She married Jean's brother, Comte Guillaume du Barry, and became the official mistress of Louis XV. She wielded much influence, helped to bring about the downfall of the Finance Minister, the Duc de Choiseul (1770), and was notorious for her extravagance, though she was a generous patron of the arts. She was banished from court after Louis's death (1774), and was guillotined during the French Revolution.