Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor inherited Aquitaine at thirteen when her father died in 1137, making her one of the wealthiest heiresses in Europe. That same year she married Louis, who became king of France weeks later, but after fifteen years and two daughters - and no male heir - the marriage was annulled in 1152. She married Henry of Normandy the same year; two years later he became Henry II of England and she was queen again. They had eight children together, but when three of their sons revolted against Henry in 1173, Eleanor backed them. He locked her up for sixteen years. Released only when Henry died in 1189, she spent her last decade as queen dowager and regent, keeping England stable while Richard crusaded abroad, then throwing her weight behind John when Richard died in 1199. She outlived most of her children and died in 1204 at Fontevraud Abbey, where she was buried.