The most famous of the Voodou Queens, Marie Catherine Laveau was born on September 10, 1801 in New Orleans. A creole woman + a free person of color, her social standing allowed her to move with ease around social circles in the city. She worked as a hair dresser + a liquor importer while amassing a network of associates + gaining quite the reputation for her true calling as an advisor + a femme traiteur, or faith healer.
Many of New Orleans high society sought her intercession + advice: captains who would not sail their ships without her blessing, lawyers + businessmen who would not make deals without her approval. Those jealous of her influence claimed her success could only be attributed to Voodou. She encouraged this point of view as a safeguard against those who may have meant her harm. The threat of ominous power kept them at bay.
The popular depiction of Madame Laveau as a dark + powerful figure runs in contrast with her actual reputation for possessing abundant common sense + a most compassionate heart. She nursed the ill on the front lines of both Yellow Fever + Cholera epidemics, soothing + comforting many through illness + death. Known for her culinary talents, she served her famous shrimp gumbo as a last meal to many a condemned man. She opened her home to those who needed an ear to listen or a heart to soothe them. Never to be out done, she gave comfort, shelter + great hospitality to her guests.
Marie was a devout Catholic who created her own mixture of elements from both Catholicism + Voodou. She was known for her skill at creating gris-gris, or Voodou amulets of protection for those who felt they needed it.
In addition to her many talents, Marie Laveau was known for her great beauty. Many historical accounts confuse her with her daughter, Marie Laveau II, who followed in her mother’s footsteps. A common myth states that Marie Laveau never aged, + that she continued to be young + beautiful all her life–those who wanted to believe in her power saw the charming Laveau II as confirmation.
Marie Laveau died peacefully on June 15, 1881. She is buried in her family’s plot at St. Louis Cemetery #1. Many still visit her grave to ask for her intercession on their behalf, performing pseudo-voodou rituals + leaving offerings.
Superstitions + misinformation aside, Marie Laveau was certainly a great human being. In her obituary, The New York Times called her, “One of the most wonderful women who ever lived.”
Way Up in the Attic 
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