Background
Marie-Louise was born into a free black family. Her father was the owner of a hotel, Hotel de la Couronne.
Marie-Louise was born into a free black family. Her father was the owner of a hotel, Hotel de la Couronne.
They had four children: François Ferdinand (born 1794), Françoise-Améthyste (d 1831), Athénaïs (d 1838) and Victor-Henri. At her spouse"s new position in 1798, she moved to the Sans-Souci Palace. In 1811, Marie-Louise was given the title of queen upon the creation of the Kingdom of Haiti.
Her new status gave her ceremonial tasks to perform, ladies-in-waiting, a secretary and her own court.
She took her position seriously, and stated that the title "given to her by the nation" also gave her responsibilities and duties to perform. She served as the hostess of the ceremonial royal court life performed at the Sans-Souci Palace.
She did not involve herself in the affairs of state. She was visited by president Jean Pierre Boyer, who offered her his protection.
He denied the spurs of gold she gave him, stating that he was the leader of poor people.
They were allowed to settle in Portuguese-au-Prince. The was in exile for 30 years. There were rumours that she was searching for the money, three million, deposited by her spouse in Europe.
Whatever the case, she did live the rest of her life without economic difficulties.
They made a grand visit to Rome in 1828. Shortly before her death, she wrote to Haiti for permission to return.
She never did, however, before she died in Italy.