Roman Catholic Cardinal, French Prime Minister. Son of Pietro Mazzarino and Ortensia Buffalini, brother of Cardinal Michel Mazarin. He became the Pope's extraordinary Nuncio in France in 1634 and was created Cardinal in 1641. Cardinal Richelieu recommended him as his successor as French Prime Minister to King Louis XIII. After Richelieu's death in December 1642 and the Kings death 5 months later Anna d'Autriche became the regent for her 6 year old son and Mazarin became a member of the Council of Regency. They lived together in the Palais Royal and soon rumors about a love affair and later even about a secret marriage blossomed. Their letters prove that there was more than friendship between them until their death, but as an Priest it was impossible for him to get married. He is described as good looking and very polite despite his high rank. He oversaw the education of Louis XIV. and had great influence on Annas decisions. In 1647 he got the first three of his seven nieces and one nephew from Rome to Paris. It were the twins Laure and Paolo, their younger sister Olympia Mancini and Anna Maria Martinozzi. Queen Anna ordered that the girls were to be educated with the King at the Palais Royal. In 1648 the Parliament, members of the nobility, military and clerics openly opposed him and in the following 4 years two civil wars, known as "the Fronde" raged across France. He fled with his nieces to Brühl and then to Liège. The Parliament sold his art collection and library. His most determined opponents were the Louis II. of Condé, Gaston of Orléans, his daughter Anna Maria de Montpensier, known as the "Grande Mademoiselle" and the Cardinal of Retz. With the victory over the rebellious nobility he led the foundation to Louis XIV. policy of absolute monarchy, because the nobility wasn't strong enough anymore to oppose the King. In February 1653 he returned to Paris and took a new apartment in the Louvre. He again began to buy statues and paintings. He restored his library and opened it for everyone to use. Between 1653 and 1655 he brought the rest of his nieces and two nephews to France, Maria, Ortensia, Maria Anna and Filippo Mancini and Laura Martinozzi. In 1659 he bought the duchies of Nevers and Mayenne. He died at the Chateau de Vincennes at 2 a.m. He left 546 paintings and 400 statues that are today owned by the Louvre museum. He left most of his money and the titles of Duke of Mayenne and Nevers to Ortensias husband Armand.