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Marie Charlotte Blanc (née Hensel; 23 September 1833 – 25 July 1881) was a German socialite and businesswoman. She was a prominent member of high society in Monaco and France. After the death of her husband, François Blanc, she operated the Monte Carlo Casino.
Marie Charlotte Hensel was born on 23 September 1833 in Friedrichsdorf to working class parents. She was a daughter of Catherine (née Stemler) Hensel and Caspar Hensel, a shoemaker.[1]
In 1856, Charles III of Monaco hired François Blanc, who successfully operated a casino in Germany, to create a casino in Monaco.[2] He founded the Monte Carlo Casino and, in 1861, co-founded the Société des bains de mer de Monaco. While living in Monaco, Hensel helped her husband establish the casino in Monte Carlo. On 27 July 1877 her husband died due to respiratory problems while in Leukerbad, Switzerland for treatment. After her husband's death, Hensel inherited 72 million francs and took control of the Monte Carlo Casino. She worked with Charles Garnier to build the Opéra de Monte-Carlo.[1]
At the age of 14 she entered service as a maid for French businessman François Blanc; his wife, Madeleine-Victoire Huguelin; and their two children, Camille and Charles, at their home in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe. While in their service, Hensel learned to speak French. In 1852 Madeleine-Victoire Huguelin died. On 20 June 1854 Blanc and Hensel married in Paris. They had three children:
In 1871, Hensel purchased the Château d'Ermenonville for her daughter, Louise. She died on 25 July 1881 in Moûtiers.[5]
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