Video - Cunning Queen: Catherine de' Medici's Fight for Power

Catherine de' Medici: A Queen’s Struggle for Power Catherine de’ Medici came from a powerful Italian family, but when she married King Henry II of France, she had no idea her true struggle for power was just beginning. After her husband’s untimely death, she became the queen mother of France, a position that thrust her into a world of political chaos. Amidst religious wars between Catholics and Protestants, Catherine worked tirelessly to secure her children’s future, often making alliances with enemies and making tough, ruthless decisions. Her manipulation and influence over the French court earned her a reputation as one of history’s most cunning rulers, but it came at a cost—her legacy is marked by power struggles, betrayals, and bloodshed. Catherine’s story shows just how far a woman would go to hold onto power in a time when she was supposed to be silent.