Born: 6 December 1520 or 1523, Lithuania
Died: 8 May 1551
Country most active: Poland
Also known as: Barbara Radziwiłłówna,Барбара Радзівіл, Barbora Radvilaitė
As the wife of Sigismund II Augustus, Barbara Radziwiłł was queen consort of Poland and grand duchess consort of Lithuania until her death on 8 May 1551. During Sigismund’s first marriage, the recently widowed Barbara became a royal mistress circa 1543, and the couple secretly married in 1547, following his first wife’s death in 1545. Their marriage was adamantly opposed by Polish nobles, including Sigismund’s mother, Bona Sforza, and caused a great scandal when it was revealed. Sigismund had to fight for official recognition of their marriage, and she was not crowned until 7 December 1550, the day after her 30th or 27th birthday. Despite her youth, Barbara had been ailing and she died only five months later, though her relationship with the kings had granted her family greater political power and influence.
Barbara was much maligned by her contemporaries, who accused her of promiscuity and witchcraft and rumors swirled with dubious basis in fact or reality. In the 18th century, her story shifted to a tragic love story, often with her mother-in-law cast as the main villain. This later fascination led to her story being fictionalized in poetry, theater, film and other media, making her one of the most recognized women in Polish and Lithuanian history.