Anyone who’s lived in Louisiana has probably heard of voodoo practices being popular in the state, especially around New Orleans. And if you’ve watched American Horror Story, or you’ve visited the city, then you have probably heard of Marie Laveau. But who was this mysterious woman and how has she managed to maintain such a reputation so many years after her death? We’re going to get to the bottom of this story.

Marie Laveau was born in New Orleans on September 10th, 1794. After being widowed by the age of 23, Marie began work as a hairdresser to the wealthy elites living in the French Quarter.
Wikicommons
This position gave her access to all the juicy gossip and rumors that floated around the city. Through her connections at the salon, she began to convince others that she was a Voodoo priestess capable of magical spells and other powers.
She eventually settled down with another man, Msr. Louis Christophe Duminy de Glapion, and they had 15 children together at her North Rampart St. house.
voodooonthebayou.net
While at the Rampart St. house, she settled into her life as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.
Voodoo was already a thriving tradition in New Orleans at the time, with its roots in the West African Yoruba and Haitian traditions and blended with the prevailing Catholicism in the city at the time.
musicrising.tulane.edu
City government had been cracking down on its practice, relegating it to only certain areas of the city, including the legendary Congo Square, which Laveau lived adjacent to.

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Marie became well known for her extravagant and exciting rituals. Legend has it that she would dance and sing wildly with her snake, Zombi.
hauntedamericatours.com
Laveau was also an active member of her community, and revered for her ample healing and nursing powers. She worked tirelessly during the various epidemics that struck New Orleans during the 19th century, and was also a confidante and advisor to some of the most important politicians, business men, and lawyers of the day.
St. John’s Day was a particularly special ceremony day. Legendary rituals with crowds of hundreds of people took place at the banks of Lake Pontchartrain, where Bayou St. John met the waters of the great lake.
flickr.com/photos/kevinomara
These rituals are still honored in New Orleans today, as pictured here.
Her daughter, Marie Laveau II took on her mother’s role after the first Marie Laveau passed away in 1881. Even after their passing, her powers lived on in the hearts of New Orleanians.
flickr.com/photos/masterjeffrey
Many cemeteries claim to host her grave, but the tomb in St. Louis Cemetery is one of the most popular. Visitors from far and wide come to pay their respects (and ask her to fulfill their wishes.)
This museum in honor of Marie Laveau can still be found in the French Quarter New Orleans today.
Facebook.com / Marie Laveau House of Voodoo
You can find more artifacts and legends about this amazing woman by visiting here.

What other legends have you heard about this amazing woman? Have you ever had an experience with voodoo? Let us know your thoughts. We love to hear your feedback.

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