Marie-Hélène Félicitée de Rohan

"Marie-Hélène de Rohan, Duchesse de Richelieu” par Jean-Marc Nattier, circa 1755

## Occupations

### Court Posts

Fille d’Honneur à Élisabeth-Thérèse de Lorraine
(1st May 1750 – 15th March 1754)
Dame d’Atour à Élisabeth-Thérèse de Lorraine
(15th March 1754 – Present)

## Biography

### Full Name

Marie-Hélène Félicitée Victoire de Rohan-Soubise

### House

Rohan-Soubise (by Birth)
Vignerot du Plessis (by Marriage)

### Born

25th October 1734, Hôtel de Soubise, Le Marais, Île-de-France, Royaume de France

### Spouse

Louis Antoine Sophie de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu (m. 1754)

### Issue

Armand-François Septimanie de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Fronsac
Marie-Gabrielle Simplicie de Vignerot du Plessis, Mademoiselle de Richelieu
Louis-Antoine Héraclès de Vignerot du Plessis, Prince de Mortagne

### Father

Charles-Héraclès Frédéric de Rohan, Prince de Soubise

### Mother

Anne Marie Louise de La Tour d’Auvergne, Princesse de Soubise †

### Siblings

Charlotte Godefride Élisabeth de Rohan, Duchesse de Duras †
Louis-Hercule Mériadec de Rohan, Prince d'Épinoy

### Religion

Roman Catholicism

**Hélène de Rohan** (Marie-Hélène Félicitée Victoire de Vignerot du Plessis; née Rohan-Soubise; 25th October 1734 – Present) is a French noblewoman, courtier, and court official to Louis XII. As a member of the cadet branch of the House of Rohan, she was the eldest daughter of Charles-Héraclès de Rohan, Prince de Soubise, and his first wife, Anne Marie de La Tour d’Auvergne, Princesse de Soubise. She was wedded to the newly Duc de Richelieu, Louis-Antoine de Vignerot du Plessis, and became *Duchesse de Richelieu* in 1754. From her marriage, she was ranked a Dame d'Atour to the household of Élisabeth Thérèse de Lorraine, Reine de France

Born at her father’s Hôtel de Soubise, La Mademoiselle de Soubise enjoyed a relatively idyllic lifestyle in Paris before her official debut at court. As a young child, Hélène developed a keen interest for the music, tutored in composition and voice. She was personally known for her preference of tranquil solitude due to her reclusive nature and the demand of her studies. However, Hélène transformed to an adherent to the strict codes of court etiquette as she was presented in Versailles. There, it wasn’t until 1754 that, as the newly Duchesse de Richelieu, she became an esteemed member of the queen’s household. Integrating herself into the inner circle of the queen, Hélène come to be one of Élisabeth Thérèse’s private confidantes behind close doors. Her relationship with her husband was serene, with both requiting their love and having three healthy children together.

## Issue

With her husband, Louis Antoine de Vignerot du Plessis, Hélène would have four pregnancies, birthing three children who would survive infancy. They are:

* **Armand-François Septimanie Sophie de Vignerot du Plessis**, Duc de Fronsac (13th October 1760 – Present)
* **Marie-Gabrielle Simplicie Charlotte de Vignerot du Plessis**, Mademoiselle de Richelieu (9th April 1762 – Present)
* Stillborn Daughter (18th February 1765)
* **Louis-Antoine Héraclès Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis**, Prince de Mortagne (20th April 1767)

## Title and Styles

* **25th October 1734 – 11th March 1754:** *Mademoiselle de Soubise*
* **11th March 1754 – Present:** *Sa Grâce, Duchesse de Richelieu, Paire de France*