Teresa Tallien Wife J.-L. Tagliena Country: France

1. Teresa Tallien: A Revolutionary Woman
2. Marriage and Divorce
3. Escape and Meeting Tallien
4. The Thermidorian Reaction
5. After the Revolution

Teresa Tallien: A Revolutionary Woman

Teresa (Jeanne-Marie-Ignazie-Therese) Tallien (1770-1835) was the wife of Jean-Lambert Tallien and one of the remarkable women of the revolutionary era. Born to a Spanish financier, Count de Cabarrus, who later became a minister to Joseph Bonaparte, she received an excellent education. When her father, just before the revolution, was appointed as the Spanish envoy to France and moved his family to Paris, Teresa quickly gained success in Parisian society thanks to her beauty and intelligence, and her salon became one of the most popular in the city.

Marriage and Divorce

In 1790, she married the parliament advisor Marquis de Fontenay. When the Marquis emigrated after the September Massacres, she obtained a divorce. By this time, she was already a fervent supporter of revolutionary ideas and wanted to personally participate in the revolution, similar to Madame Roland. She addressed the Convention with a remarkable petition on women's political rights.

Escape and Meeting Tallien

However, as the terror intensified, she decided to leave for Madrid to be with her father but was arrested in Bordeaux. It was here that she encountered Tallien, who had been sent by the Convention to deal with the Girondins. The Revolutionary Tribunal was in session, and executions followed one after another. Fortunately, Teresa managed to avoid the fate of the "suspected" thanks to Tallien's infatuation with her from their very first meeting. In order to save her life, she became his mistress and managed to exert significant influence over him. Instead of his previous cruelty, Tallien became known for his moderation, which led to accusations of moderation from Robespierre.

The Thermidorian Reaction

The Convention summoned Tallien back to Paris, and his beloved was arrested. Tallien played a prominent role in the overthrow of Robespierre, driven by the desire to save her. After Robespierre's fall, she married Tallien and became the soul of the Thermidorian reaction, earning the nickname "Our Lady of Thermidor." Her salon became a gathering place for the Thermidorians. However, Teresa did not love her husband and only tolerated him as long as he remained in power.

After the Revolution

When Tallien's influence significantly declined during the Directory, and with the coup of 18 Brumaire, it diminished to nothing, Teresa ended their relationship. In 1803, she obtained a divorce and soon married Count de Caraman, later Prince de Chimay. Her public role came to an end.