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Born Thérésa Cabarrus, the daughter of François Cabarrus, a French-born governor of the Royal Bank of Spain , and his Spanish wife, she was said to be of great beauty. In 1788, at age 15, she married the last Marquis de Fontenay and was presented at the court of Louis XV. In the 1780s she began to take an interest in liberal politics, and when her husband fled at the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 she resumed her maiden name, and obtained a divorce in 1791.
She took refuge in Bordeaux, where she was arrested and jailed as the former wife of an émigré aristocrat. She met Jean Lambert Tallien, the Commissary of the Convention, who saved her from the guillotine. She became his mistress and through her influence obtained the release of many prisoners. She accompanied him when he was recalled to Paris, only to be imprisoned on RobespierreMaximilien Francois Marie Isidore de Robespierre ( May 6, 1758 July 28, 1794), known also to his contemporaries as "the Incorruptible", is one of the best known of the leaders of the French Revolution. He was the leader of the Committee of Public Safety w's orders first in La Force prison , then in Carmes prison where she met Joséphine de BeauharnaisJosephine de Beauharnais ( June 23, 1763 May 29, 1814) was the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and became Empress of France. She was born Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie in Les Trois-Ilets, Martinique on a slave plantation, the daughter of Jose. She married Tallien on December 26December 26 is the 360th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, 361st in leap years. There are 5 days remaining. Events 1400-1899 1481 Battle of Westbroek Holland defeats troops of Utrecht 1606 King Lear performed in the Court of England 1620 Elizabet, 1794Events February 11 1st session of US Senate open to the public. March 14 Eli Whitney is granted a patent for the cotton gin. March 27 The United States Government established a permanent United States Navy and authorized the building of six vessels (in 17. Tallien joined the conspiracy to oust Robespierre and in 1795Events January 16 French occupy Utrecht, Netherlands. January 20 French troops enter Amsterdam and later proclaim Batavian Republic. January 23 Dutch fleet freezes in Issel Meer. February 7 The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution is passed. Thérésa was released. She was a moderating influence on her husband, and from the lives she saved by her entreaties she received the nickname of "Our Lady of Thermidor" (Notre-Dame de Thermidor), after the 9th of Thermidor9 Thermidor is a date under the French Revolutionary Calendar. It usually refers to 9 Thermidor Year II July 27 1794. On this day Robespierre and Saint-Just came under a concerted and organised attack from members of the Committee of Public Safety; Robesp ( July 27July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 157 days remaining. Events 1214 Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. 1663 The British Parliament passes the second Navigation, 1794Events February 11 1st session of US Senate open to the public. March 14 Eli Whitney is granted a patent for the cotton gin. March 27 The United States Government established a permanent United States Navy and authorized the building of six vessels (in 17).
Thérésa then became one of the leaders of the Parisian social life. Her salonThe salon is a 17th century French idea, a gathering of stimulating and attractive people of quality under the roof of an inspiring hostess, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation and was famous, and she was one of the originators of the neo-Greek feminine styles of the French Directory period. She was a very colorful figure and was for instance reputed to bathe in the juice of strawberries for its healing properties. One day, she showed up at the Tuileries Palace, the then chief residence of Napoleon, supported by a colored page, with six sapphire rings in the feet, eight in the hands, two gold bracelets in the ankles, eighteen in the arms, a band in the forehead full of rubies. One day she appeared at the Paris Opera, wearing in a white silk dress without sleeves and not wearing any underwear. This made Talleyrand say: "il n'est pas possible de s'exposer plus somptueusement" ("It is not possible to exhibit oneself more sumptuously").
Tallien's power waned and Thérésa and Jean Lambert Tallien divorced in 1802. After a brief flirtation with Napoleon she moved first to the powerful Barras, then to the millionaire-speculator Ouvrard and finally, attempting to gain respectability she married François-Joseph-Philippe de Riquet, Comte de Caraman in 1805, who had become the 16th Prince of Chimay after the death of his childless uncle in 1804. She spent the rest of her life first in Paris, then on their estates of Chimay (in today's Belgium), which became part of Holland after the Battle of Waterloo ( 1815).
The couple invited musicians in Paris, and later in Chimay, where she held a little court in Chimay, including Auber, Kreutzer, Cherubini, Bériot and Malibran. Cherubini composed his "Mass in fa" at their castle in Chimay.
François-Joseph de Riquet and Thérésa were interred under the sacristy of the church of Chimay. There is also a memorial to her in the church.
Thérésa bore ten children during her various liaisons, including: