Traitorous Facts About Jeanne De La Motte, The Diamond Necklace Thief
Jeanne de la Motte was the mastermind behind one of France’s greatest diamond heists.
1. She Fell From Grace
Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy—eventually Jeanne de la Motte—descended from kings but she grew up poorer than a servant. In her desperate attempt to climb back up the social ladder, she developed a venal mindset and turned to a life of lies and deception. Instead of making her way into the lap of luxury, however, she suffered a gruesome fall from grace.
2. She Was Greedy
Jeanne was born in July 1756 near Bar-sur-Aube, a long way from the glitzy Palace of Versailles where she believed she belonged. Where, in all fairness, her ancestors had once lived. She might not have had much, but she had noble blood running through her veins. If her genealogy didn’t bring her wealth, then her greed would.
3. She Was Descended From Kings
Even though Jeanne was descended from kings, she did not grow up like a princess. Her father, Jacques I de Saint-Rémy, Baron de Saint-Rémy, traced his lineage all the way back to King Henry II. Sadly, as a descendant of Henri de Saint-Rémi, King Henry II’s illegitimate son, Jeanne’s family had fallen from grace and it was a long way back to the top.
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4. Her Family Was Disgraceful
Jeanne’s family hadn’t just lost their social standing, wealth and titles. They had, apparently, lost their courtly manners and aristocratic morals. Both of Jeanne’s parents disgraced their once-great family name. Her father developed a reputation as a heavy drinker who would do anything for a penny. Ironically, so would she.
