Maria Cantacuzino, known by the diminutive Măruca, was one of the most fascinating and controversial figures of early 20th-century Bucharest. Proud, intelligent, beautiful, sarcastic, and extremely seductive, the princess captivated the attention of aristocrats, philosophers, and artists of her time, yet remained enveloped in scandal and controversy. Her life swung like a pendulum between ecstasy and agony, between love and betrayal, between luxury and personal tragedy.

Noble Origins and Marriage to Mihail Cantacuzino

Maria Cantacuzino was born Maria Rosetti Tecuceanu into an influential and sophisticated family. Her father, Gheorghe Rosetti, was a prominent diplomat and politician, and she was raised in a cosmopolitan environment that nurtured her refinement and cultural knowledge.

In 1884, Maria married Mihail “Mișu” Cantacuzino, the son of a prominent aristocrat. Their marriage united two noble families, consolidating their social position and influence in Romania’s political and economic life. The Cantacuzino Palace in Bucharest, their residence, was famous for its grandeur and elegance, reflecting Măruca’s sophisticated taste.

Although Mișu was respected for his political achievements, Maria’s married life was far from perfect. Her husband reportedly had an affair with her own sister, Nellie, causing deep emotional turmoil and jealousy. Maria sought a divorce, but the legal process never materialized, leaving her trapped between love, disappointment, and social shame.

Luxury, extravagance, and life among the elite

Maria Cantacuzino was renowned for her love of luxury and the lavish parties she hosted at the family palace. Her life was marked by glittering events, encounters with artists, philosophers, and politicians, and active involvement in elite social circles.

Her lifestyle was not merely external; the princess had a strong, intelligent, and often controversial personality that attracted both admiration and envy.

She was also engaged in charitable and social activities, supporting causes related to education and health. Through these efforts, she sought to construct a positive public image that contrasted with the scandals and intrigues surrounding her.

Her passion for art and marrying the great George Enescu

Măruca Cantacuzino was also a passionate supporter of culture and the arts. She organized cultural events, patronized artists and writers, and made her palace a center for artistic gatherings.

On one New Year’s Eve, fate brought her into the life of George Enescu, the celebrated composer, who had been invited to perform at the court of Queen Marie, a close friend of the princess.

In her diary, Maria described the overwhelming passion she felt:

“Man, god, or demon, is this titan-like figure striking as lightning, slender yet compact like black jasper? Destiny itself. He approached me fatally, irresistibly, while I, like a sleepwalker, moved toward him. With a burning grip, he took my hands, which I had almost unconsciously extended. What happened next? I only know that the room emptied almost immediately, and I remained alone with him until morning.”

This clandestine love marked the beginning of a tumultuous yet profound relationship between the princess and the composer. After the tragic death of Mișu Cantacuzino in a car accident, Maria and George married. However, she retained the title of princess and her first husband’s surname, refusing to be known as “Mrs. Enescu.”

Măruca Cantacuzino: Affairs and Scandals

Măruca Cantacuzino’s life was full of romantic escapades. Throughout her two marriages, she had several lovers, the most famous being the philosopher Nae Ionescu. Their passionate relationship ended when the logician left her, leaving Măruca with a mix of anger, jealousy, and depression.

In an extreme and dramatic act, Maria poured acid on her own face, attempting to end her life and indirectly punish her former lover. Fortunately, George Enescu intervened, taking her to the hospital and saving her life, but her legendary beauty was permanently marred by the incident, leaving lasting scars.

Life in Exile and Final Years

During World War II, Maria and George remained in Romania, continuing their musical and social activities. In 1949, they traveled to Moscow for concerts and cultural events and later retired to Paris.

George Enescu passed away in 1955, and Maria moved to Switzerland, where she spent her remaining years. She died on December 22, 1968, and was buried beside George Enescu at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, symbolically reuniting the couple in death.

The Legacy of a Tumultuous Life

Măruca Cantacuzino remains in Romania’s collective memory as a complex and fascinating figure—a mixture of beauty, intelligence, passion, and scandal. Through her life, her excesses, her love affairs, and her support of arts and culture, she left a profound imprint on Bucharest’s elite and the country’s social and cultural history.

Her story is one of love, betrayal, the pursuit of freedom, and drama—a life that oscillated between ecstasy and agony, glamour and personal tragedy. To her contemporaries, the princess symbolized turmoil, passion, and human complexity, and her legend continues to fascinate and inspire.

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