Born on September 8 1749 in Turin but not much else is known of the early childhood of Marie Louise of Savoy. She married Louis Alexandre de Bourbon (prince de Lamballe) in 1767 and became a princess. After just five months of marriage Louis Alexandre took a mistress; he chose Mademoiselle de La Chassaigne who was an opera singer. He also had debts and went so far as to sell the jewellery of Marie Louise. But the marriage was shortlived - Louis Alexandre died in 1768.Marie Louise was now a widow and a very wealthy one at that - she had inherited her husband's fortune that he had managed to keep from debt. She now moved to Paris where she lived at different châteaux. When the new Dauphine, Marie Antoinette, arrived she immediately became fond of Marie Louise - shortly afterwards, Marie Louise found herself the favourite of the next Queen of France. Marie Louise was now constantly present at court and moved easily in the royal family. By her close relationship with the Dauphine she was familiar with the Dauphin as well - she was presented to the Countess of Provence during a stay at Fontainebleau. Apparently, the Princesse de Lamballe held a very high position and she was present at the birth of the future Louis-Philippe in 1773.
