Victoire Jean-Baptiste
Encyclopedia
Victoire Jean-Baptiste known as "La Belle Victoire", was a Haitian politician de facto, mistress to president Florvil Hyppolite
and highly influential during his reign. She had previously been the mistress of Hyppolite's successor, Tirésias Simon Sam
, and was granted immunity by him after the death of Florvil Hyppolite.
Victoire Jean-Baptiste was a poor illiterate from the country side outside Cap-Haitien. In 1886, she was temporarily the mistress of Tirésias Simon Sam. After this, she was a servant to Geline Hyppolite, spouse of Florvil Hyppolite, and the lover of their son, Chéry Hyppolite. When Florvil Hyppolite became president in 1889, Victoire Jean-Baptiste was moved to the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince, and after the death of Chery in 1893, she functioned openly as the first lady
of Haiti in official ceremonies. She had a great influence in the affairs of state. The president stated that her will in political matters should be respected : she played a great role in the appointment of offices and was regularly given large sums from the state to her private projects, such as a sugar plantation. In 1894, her support made Tirésias Simon Sam minister of war. At the death of Florvil Hyppolite in 1896, she sought refuge at the French embassy. The successor of Hippolyte, however, was Tirésias Simon Sam, who had promised Hyppolite to treat her well because of her service to the state. She settled in Cap-Haitien with Edward Jerome from Martinique and lived on her fortune. She was given a very bad name in the history of Haiti.
Florvil Hyppolite
Louis Mondestin Florvil Hyppolite was the President of Haiti from 17 October 1889 to 24 March 1896. He was a career soldier, a general. He was installed as president by a constitutional council....
and highly influential during his reign. She had previously been the mistress of Hyppolite's successor, Tirésias Simon Sam
Tirésias Simon Sam
Tirésias Antoine Auguste Simon Sam was the President of Haiti from 31 March 1896 to 12 May 1902. He resigned the presidency just before completing his six-year term. A likeness of Simon Sam has been featured on several Haitian postage stamps...
, and was granted immunity by him after the death of Florvil Hyppolite.
Victoire Jean-Baptiste was a poor illiterate from the country side outside Cap-Haitien. In 1886, she was temporarily the mistress of Tirésias Simon Sam. After this, she was a servant to Geline Hyppolite, spouse of Florvil Hyppolite, and the lover of their son, Chéry Hyppolite. When Florvil Hyppolite became president in 1889, Victoire Jean-Baptiste was moved to the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince, and after the death of Chery in 1893, she functioned openly as the first lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
of Haiti in official ceremonies. She had a great influence in the affairs of state. The president stated that her will in political matters should be respected : she played a great role in the appointment of offices and was regularly given large sums from the state to her private projects, such as a sugar plantation. In 1894, her support made Tirésias Simon Sam minister of war. At the death of Florvil Hyppolite in 1896, she sought refuge at the French embassy. The successor of Hippolyte, however, was Tirésias Simon Sam, who had promised Hyppolite to treat her well because of her service to the state. She settled in Cap-Haitien with Edward Jerome from Martinique and lived on her fortune. She was given a very bad name in the history of Haiti.