Louis was born to King Louis XIII and Anne of Austria after 23 years of childless marriage. His birth was considered miraculous and he was called 'Louis-Dieudonne' (God-given), marking him as special from birth.

Upon his father's death, Louis became king at age four. His mother Anne of Austria served as regent, while Cardinal Mazarin effectively ruled France and became young Louis's godfather and mentor.

The Fronde rebellion erupted against royal authority. Young Louis experienced the terror of mobs storming the Palais Royal, an experience that profoundly shaped his determination to maintain absolute control.

Louis was declared of legal age to rule, though Mazarin continued as chief minister. The young king began participating in council meetings and learning the art of governance firsthand.

The Fronde was finally crushed, restoring royal authority. Louis never forgot the humiliation of fleeing Paris and resolved to prevent any future challenges to the monarchy's power.

Louis was formally crowned at Reims Cathedral in an elaborate ceremony. The sacred ritual reinforced his divine right to rule and his role as God's lieutenant on Earth.

Louis married the Spanish Infanta Maria Theresa, sealing the Peace of the Pyrenees. Though a political match, she bore him six children before her death in 1683.

After Mazarin's death, Louis shocked his court by announcing he would be his own chief minister. He began his personal rule at 22, transforming France into Europe's dominant power.

Louis adopted the sun as his personal emblem, becoming known as the Sun King (Le Roi Soleil). The image symbolized his centrality to France, as the sun was central to the solar system.

Louis launched the War of Devolution to claim Spanish Netherlands for his wife. His armies quickly conquered Flanders, demonstrating French military supremacy in Europe.

Louis invaded the Dutch Republic with 120,000 troops. Though initially successful, the war lasted six years and united Europe against French expansion.

Louis moved his court to the newly completed Palace of Versailles. The magnificent palace became the center of French political power and a symbol of absolute monarchy.

Louis revoked the Edict of Nantes, ending Protestant religious freedoms. Hundreds of thousands of Huguenots fled France, taking valuable skills and creating lasting international resentment.

After Queen Maria Theresa's death, Louis secretly married his mistress Madame de Maintenon. She became his closest confidante and influenced his increasing religious devotion.

Louis accepted the Spanish throne for his grandson Philip, triggering the War of Spanish Succession. Europe united against French hegemony in the most devastating conflict of his reign.

The Treaty of Utrecht ended the War of Spanish Succession. Though Philip retained Spain, France was exhausted and Louis's dreams of European dominance were shattered.

Having outlived his son and grandsons, Louis's great-grandson became heir. The aging king faced the prospect of leaving France to a five-year-old successor.

Louis XIV died of gangrene at age 76 after a 72-year reign, the longest in European history. His final words reportedly were 'I am going, but the State shall always remain.' His great-grandson succeeded him as Louis XV.