Catherine was the heiress to the rich Huguenot Parthenay-Leveque family that originated from the Poitou region.
She was the granddaughter of Michelle de Saubonne.

At a young age she showed an interest in astrology and astronomy.
Following this interest and obvious intellect, her mother sought a tutor for Catherine.
Considered the greatest mathematician of his time, Francois Viete was hired by Catherine's mother as her tutor.

Francois taught Catherine a slew of subjects such as; geography, current discoveries, cosmographic knowledge, and of course, math, most likely sparking her greater interest in mathematics and shaping her into a mathematician.

At a very early age, she married Charles de Quelennec, the baron of Pont-l'Abbé, who died during the night of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre while defending Coligny.

A widow at eighteen years old, Catherine was a good match and was considered one of the most intelligent women of her time.
She was courted by René, the youngest son in the Rohan family but Catherine, beautiful as she was, did not accept to marry him until he became the viscount of Rohan and subsequently inherited the fortune of the Rohan family after the death of his eldest brother.

Her children include:
Henri II, Duke of Rohan, a famous soldier and author;
Catherine de Rohan, ancestor to several famous people, among them Queen Elizabeth II
Benjamin, Duke of Soubise;
Anne de Rohan (1584-1646) Poet
Catherine was the heiress to the rich Huguenot Parthenay-Leveque family that originated from the Poitou region. She was the granddaughter of Michelle de Saubonne.
At a young age she showed an interest in astrology and astronomy. Following this interest and obvious intellect, her mother sought a tutor for Catherine. Considered the greatest mathematician of his time, Francois Viete was hired by Catherine's mother as her tutor. 
Francois taught Catherine a slew of subjects such as; geography, current discoveries, cosmographic knowledge, and of course, math, most likely sparking her greater interest in mathematics and shaping her into a mathematician.
At a very early age, she married Charles de Quelennec, the baron of Pont-l'Abbé, who died during the night of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre while defending Coligny.
A widow at eighteen years old, Catherine was a good match and was considered one of the most intelligent women of her time. She was courted by René, the youngest son in the Rohan family but Catherine, beautiful as she was, did not accept to marry him until he became the viscount of Rohan and subsequently inherited the fortune of the Rohan family after the death of his eldest brother.
Her children include:
Henri II, Duke of Rohan, a famous soldier and author;
Catherine de Rohan, ancestor to several famous people, among them Queen Elizabeth II
Benjamin, Duke of Soubise;
Anne de Rohan (1584-1646) Poet
Catherine de Parthenay