Anne Nompar de Caumont

Life Family Anne was born in the Chateau La Force, as the daughter of the Duke Bertrand Nompar de Caumont de la Force (1724–1773), an official at the court of King Louis XV and First Gentleman of the Bedchamber for the Count of Provence, and his wife Adelaide-Luce-Madeleine de Galard de Brassac de Béarn (1739-1829), governess of the children of the Count of Artois. She was married to Count Francesco Marie Armand de Balbi (1752-1835), with whom she had four daughters.

Mistress of the Count of Provence Anne was described as a witty and humorous beauty, but also attracted enemies with her relentlessness. In 1779, she became the lady-in-waiting (dame d’atours) of the Countess of Provence, allegedly because she wanted to become the count's lover. It is alleged that the count made Anne his mistress because of his anger over his wife's love for Marguerite de Gourbillon. Anne's husband, who protested against their relationship, was declared insane and imprisoned in a mental asylum by the count. Provence created a garden at Versailles in 1785, named Balbi after her. Separation and final years

Anne de Balbi was together with the other favorite of the count of Provence, Duke d'Avaray. Anne participated in the planning of the Flight to Varennes, and left for the Austrian Netherlands on 2 June, where she welcomed Provence after his successful escape on 21 June.

Anne de Balbi played a leading role in the French emigree court of Koblenz as one of the women termed as the 'Queens of the Emigration' alongside the Princess of Monaco and Louise de Polastron, and was courted for her influence over Louis Stanislaus, who was proclaimed French regent in exile. The father of the twins was reportedly a Comte Archambaud de Talleyrand-Périgord.

She lived in England until 1802, when her name was removed from the list of émigrées. She returned to France, where she laid claims on the fortune of her spouse, and lived with her brother in the countryside until her death.

She died in Paris in 1842, three years before her husband.