born Sept. 3, 1499
died April 22, 1566, Anet, France
Mistress of King Henry II of France.
Diane came to the French court as a lady-in-waiting, where Henry, 20 years her junior, fell violently in love with her. After the death of her husband, Diane became Henry's mistress from 0441; 1536. Throughout his reign (154759) she held court as queen of France in all but name, while the real queen, Catherine de Médicis , was forced to live in comparative obscurity. Beautiful and cultivated, Diane was a patron of poets and artists.