Marie Laveau-New Orleans' Voodoo Queen
- Bee Williams
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
In the heart of New Orleans lives a legend—one whose influence reaches far beyond the French Quarter. Marie Laveau. Her name evokes mystery, power, and fascination. But who was she, really? Was she as formidable as history suggests? That depends on who you ask. Marie Laveau – New Orleans’ Voodoo Queen.
Louisiana Creole Roots
Born in 1801 as a free woman of color in New Orleans, Marie Laveau belonged to the Creole community—descendants of the city’s French and Spanish colonial inhabitants. Originally, the term “Creole” was used to distinguish those born in Louisiana from newcomers from Europe or Africa.
Marie’s mother, Marguerite D’Arcantel, was a free woman of mixed European, African, and Native American ancestry. Marie’s father remains a mystery; her birth certificate names no one. Historians suggest two possibilities: Charles Laveau Trudeau or Charles Laveaux.
Love and Family
In 1819, Marie married Jacques Paris, a man of Haitian descent. Their marriage certificate is still housed at St. Louis Cathedral. Just two years later, Jacques vanished from public records. It’s widely assumed he died in Baton Rouge.
Marie later entered a domestic partnership with Christophe Dominick Duminy de Glapion, a nobleman of French heritage. Together, they had at least seven children, though only two survived into adulthood.
A Healer and a Comforter
Marie Laveau was more than myth—she was a woman of compassion. Known to visit condemned prisoners, she tended to their physical needs and, according to some accounts, gave them potions before their executions. In an 1871 article, the New Orleans Republican described her as “a devout and acceptable member of the Catholic communion.” Her daughter Philomene confirmed that Marie prayed with prisoners and prepared their final meals.
During the 1878 Yellow Fever epidemic, Marie treated the sick with herbal remedies and prayer. She never charged for her services, and many poor residents relied on her healing. At a time when medical care was inaccessible for most, wise women like Marie filled a crucial role—offering both physical and spiritual relief.
The Beautician with Insight
Marie opened a beauty parlor that catered to New Orleans’ wealthiest families. As women gossiped, she listened. Sometimes their servants traded secrets for cures or charms. This steady stream of information gave Marie a unique edge.
High-society women often turned to her for spiritual guidance. She used the insights she gathered—paired with intuition and ritual—to give pointed advice. This blend of social intelligence and spiritual charisma built her reputation as a clairvoyant. She also sold gris-gris bags, charms said to influence love, health, or fortune.
The Voodoo Queen
Marie Laveau is widely remembered as a queen of Voodoo, though she wasn’t the first. That title initially belonged to Sanité Dédé, then Marie Saloppé. Laveau was the third—and arguably the most iconic. Her leadership is often described as compassionate, combining ritual practice with deep care for her community.
Many stories blur fact and folklore. Some say she kept a snake named Zombi. Others claim she blended Catholic saint veneration with African and Native American spiritual traditions. In truth, many spiritual practitioners draw from multiple sources, especially in diverse cultural hubs like New Orleans.
Marie’s influence was so strong that after her death, many abandoned the Voodoo tradition, believing no one could replace her.
Passing Into Legend
Marie Laveau died peacefully at home on June 15, 1881. Her age is uncertain—historical records often conflicted, and name spellings varied. Tracking the life of a 19th-century woman of color is difficult even under ideal conditions, but Marie’s legacy ensured she wasn’t lost to history.
Her death made headlines nationwide. The Daily Picayune described her funeral as lavish and crowded. Attendees crossed lines of class and race. Some claimed to see her ghost afterward.
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A Lasting Legacy
Marie Laveau is believed to be buried in plot 347 of the Glapion family crypt at Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1. For years, visitors left offerings and marked her tomb with three Xs, hoping for a wish to be granted. If fulfilled, tradition required returning to circle the Xs and leave a gift. Due to vandalism, the cemetery now allows entry only with a licensed guide.
Today, she’s remembered as a witch, Voodoo Queen, and spiritual icon. But newspapers from her time honored her as a woman of beauty, intellect, and deep charity. That’s her truest legacy—a woman who used her knowledge and power not for fear or fortune, but for love. Love of her people. Love of her city.
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