Armande Béjart

Armande Béjart (c. 1642 – 1700) was a French actress, one of the most famous of the 17th century. She was a member of the Béjart family, a renowned theatrical dynasty of the era. Her relationship to Madeleine and Geneviève Béjart is a subject of historical debate; she was traditionally considered Madeleine's younger sister, but more recent scholarship suggests she may have been Madeleine's daughter (and therefore Molière's step-daughter, not sister-in-law).

Armande joined the troupe of Molière, L'Illustre Théâtre, in the early 1660s. She quickly established herself as a talented performer, particularly in comedic roles. She married Molière in 1662, causing considerable scandal due to the age difference and the ambiguous nature of her family connection to him and Madeleine.

She was known for her performances in many of Molière's plays, originating roles such as Élise in L'Avare (The Miser), Lucile in Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (The Bourgeois Gentleman), and Henriette in Les Femmes Savantes (The Learned Ladies). She continued to act after Molière's death in 1673 and remarried shortly after. She remained a prominent figure in the French theatrical scene until her retirement. Her legacy lies in her contribution to the development of French comedy and her close association with one of France's greatest playwrights.