Nicole d'Oliva

Nicole Le Guay

Nicole d'Oliva (born Nicole Leguay d'Oliva; 1759 – 1789) was a French courtesan and adventuress, most famous for her involvement in the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, a scandalous episode that significantly contributed to the financial and political turmoil that led to the French Revolution. Her life story is a vivid illustration of the complexities and intrigues of the French court in the late 18th century.

Early Life

Nicole d'Oliva was born in 1759, though little is known about her early life before she emerged as a figure in one of the most scandalous events of pre-revolutionary France. She was known for her beauty and charm, which allowed her to ascend quickly within the social ranks of Parisian society.

Involvement in the Affair of the Diamond Necklace

The Affair of the Diamond Necklace was a political scandal that rocked the French monarchy in the 1780s. Nicole d'Oliva's role in the affair began when she was recruited by Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy, a con artist who claimed to be a descendant of the Valois royal family. Jeanne devised a plan to acquire an expensive diamond necklace, originally intended for Marie Antoinette, by convincing the jewelers that she was acting on behalf of the queen.

Nicole d'Oliva was hired to impersonate Marie Antoinette in a secret nighttime rendezvous in the Gardens of Versailles with the Cardinal de Rohan, who was led to believe that the queen was favorably disposed towards him. This encounter was meant to convince the Cardinal of the queen's support for the purchase of the necklace. D'Oliva, dressed as the queen, handed a rose to the Cardinal, uttering the words, "You know what this means." This act of deception was a critical moment in the unfolding of the necklace affair, leading to the eventual arrest and trial of those involved.

Trial and Later Life

Nicole d'Oliva was arrested and brought to trial for her part in the affair. During the proceedings, she claimed innocence, stating that she had been unaware of the true nature of her role and believed she was simply partaking in a harmless charade. Despite her claims, the scandal tarnished her reputation, and she faced public scrutiny and legal challenges.

After the trial, d'Oliva's life remained difficult and tumultuous. She continued to live on the fringes of society, supported by various protectors. Her final years were marked by poverty and obscurity, and she died in 1789, the same year the French Revolution began.

Legacy

Nicole d'Oliva's involvement in the Affair of the Diamond Necklace remains a notable example of the decadence and corruption that pervaded the French court in the years leading up to the Revolution. Her story is often cited as a cautionary tale of the dangers of ambition and deceit in a society rife with inequality and injustice.