Countess Maria Andreyevna Rumyantseva née Matveyeva was a Russian lady in waiting and alleged royal mistress of Tsar Peter the Great.
Background
She was the daughter of privy councilor of Count Andrey Matveyev (1666–1728) from his first marriage with Anna Stepanovna Anichkov (1666–1699), and paternal granddaughter boyar Artamon Matveyev. She received a European education, living the first years of her life in Vienna and The Hague, where her father served as ambassador until 1710.
Career
Fluent in French, a skillful dancer, beautiful and lively she attracted the attention of Peter I. Peter was severely jealous, reportedly threatened her with corporal punishment if she had another lover, placed her first among his mistresses and is said to have loved her until his death. Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich reported that the boy"s father was not her spouse, but Tsar Peter himself was. In 1738 Rumyantsev was appointed governor of the Ukraine, and the family moved to Kiev where, with the help of Mavra Shuvalova, Rumyantsev liaised with the disgraced Princess Elizabeth.
She was given the title countess and made lady in waiting to Empress Elizabeth of Russia, and had a lot of influence at court during her reign: reportedly, foreign powers paid her bribes for her influence.
In 1744 Empress Elizabeth ordered her to head the court of princess Catherine. During the reign of Empress Catherine II, she continued to take part in court life and be present at ceremonies.