Born in September 1801, Marie Laveau — the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans — became known for her spiritual practice that combined elements of West African and Catholic beliefs. Behind her storied reputation, however, lies a complex personal history deeply rooted in nineteenth-century New Orleans.
Interred at the city’s oldest extant cemetery after her death, Laveau rests in what is easily one of the most popular tombs for visitors at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Before you visit her yourself, here’s 3 things you probably didn’t know about Marie Laveau.
1. Laveau Was a Hairdresser
As a Voodoo practitioner, Laveau often gets portrayed in popular media as a mysterious and aloof figure with mystical powers. In reality, she was a successful hairdresser, a role that likely also contributed to her notoriety as the Voodoo Queen.
Laveau worked for New Orleans’ wealthy patrons, who often gossiped about others within their community and their own lives. This ‘insider knowledge’ allowed Laveau to enhance her standing as a clairvoyant and counselor within the Crescent City.
2. She Was a Devoted Catholic
As a freed woman of color in New Orleans, Laveau was baptized at St. Louis Cathedral while in her infancy. This location played an increasingly important role in her life as it was also where she would get married, attend Mass, and have her own children baptized.
Very active in her church and community, Laveau ingrained Catholic rituals into her daily routines and spiritual practices. Voodoo in New Orleans is largely a syncretic belief system that combines Catholicism and elements of traditional African religions. Laveau incorporated Catholic symbols and rituals — including the Holy Trinity and prayers to saints — into her Voodoo practices.
3. Laveau Was Known for Serving in Her Community
During yellow fever and cholera outbreaks, Laveau was a consistent presence in the homes of patients. She provided physical and spiritual care for the sick while also relying on her intimate knowledge of herbal medicine for treatments. Along with her own biological children, Laveau raised several others who had lost parents or needed additional care.
Her personal home served as a refuge for many impoverished people throughout her life. In many cases, Laveau even financed the education of orphaned children in her community. For prisoners on death row, Laveau often visited during their final hours to prepare last meals, offer prayers, and be a reassuring and compassionate presence at their side.
Interested in learning more about Marie Laveau? Visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 for the official tour of the famous burial grounds. Book a tour today!
