The Duchess of Devonshire, whose biography is quite interesting, was perhaps the most famous woman in her time. Great-granddaughter of the first Duke of Marlborough, she was born in 1757 to the Earl Spencer. Among the descendants of her family, Lady Lamb is the love of the poet Byron, Princess Diana, etc.
If in those days Queen Marie Antoinette was considered the mistress of fashion in France, then in England it was she - the Duchess of Devonshire, who married Cavendish at the age of seventeen. From childhood, Georgiana dreamed of marrying a worthy and handsome man. However, her marriage was not a happy one. The Duke of Devonshire preferred to live in a quiet family circle in a country house, not enduring social pleasures, while his wife loved only social pleasures.
The Duchess Georgiana of Devonshire could not give her husband either home comfort or a calm family idyll, so since 1790 their marriage has already been called broken.
Lady Cavendish in society was not only famous, but scandalousa famous person about whom all London high society gossiped. Her plumes and bustles were of incredible luxury. It was said that even Georgiana's stockings and garters were adorned with precious stones. It was she who initiated the fact that a special shade of brown began to be called "Devonshire".
No less famous was the Duchess of Devonshire for her lovers. She chose only the most famous and interesting men for her love pleasures, for example, the young brilliant politician Gray or the famous portrait painter Gainsborough.
Cards occupied a special place in Georgiana's life. According to contemporaries, she played almost every night without a break. England knows no more avid gambler in all of its history. The Duchess of Devonshire not only went to play cards herself, but also forced her husband to constantly arrange card parties. Georgiana could lose several thousand overnight. And the "debts of honor", which the Duchess of Devonshire gained very quickly, were forced to give her husband. He did this so as not to spoil his relationship with her.
Georgiana, who understood that she was not giving him the family he dreams of, tried to change something in their lives. Therefore, she introduced the duke to the provincial noblewoman, the beautiful Elizabeth Foster, with whom she became friends, despite their different social statuses. Her new friend, who has already experienced all the hardships of family life, found herself in poverty along with small children.
The Duchess of Devonshire invited Bess to live with her. She, in addition tocompassion, the calculation led: the new girlfriend belonged to the type of women that her husband liked. Gradually, feelings arose between the Duke and Bess, which grew into a deep relationship. The strange life of the "threesome" that they led shocked high society. However, the Duchess of Devonshire herself quietly enjoyed it.
Since the summer of 1791, she and her husband decided to live separately: the duke with Bess and children, one of whom his mistress gave birth to from him, - in a country estate, and Georgiana herself settled in Bath with a new lover, politician Charles Gray.
In 1797, a scandalous socialite, dancing in an open dress at a ball, caught a cold. The disease was aggravated by a severe infection in the eyes. To restore the Duchess's sight, she underwent an operation that left noticeable scars on her beautiful face. However, even being disfigured, Georgiana was still considered the most popular lady in the world and an avid player. She continued to play cards until her death.
The Duchess of Devonshire died in 1806 from consumption. She died in the arms of her friend Bess, blessing their marriage to Cavendish. By the time of her death, Georgiana had huge debts that her poor husband paid off until his death.
