Royalty · Politics · Film · 1638–1715

Louis XIV of France — Age & Birthday

Born: 5 September 1638 · Died: 1 September 1715 · Age at death: 76

How old was Louis XIV of France when he died?

Louis XIV of France died aged 76. He was born on 5 September 1638 and died on 1 September 1715.

The Sun King, who ruled France for 72 years, the longest reign of any European monarch, and built the Palace of Versailles

Did you know?He became the King of France when he was only four years old and went on to reign for over seven decades.

Quick facts

  • Date of birth5 September 1638
  • Date of death1 September 1715
  • Age at death76
  • Cause of deathGangrene
  • NationalityFrench
  • BirthplaceSaint-Germain-en-Laye, France
  • Occupationpolitician, art collector, actor

Editor's Take:

Louis XIV turned the French monarchy into a dazzling performance of absolute power. His reign of 72 years is the longest of any major European monarch. He moved the royal court to the vast palace he built at Versailles, where nobles were drawn into a world of ceremony that kept them close and under control. He championed the arts, sponsoring writers such as Molière and the founding of academies of science and dance. His frequent wars expanded French territory but left the country heavily in debt, contributing to problems that would surface in the French Revolution.

Key Milestones

  1. 1643: Becomes King of France at four
  2. 1661: Begins his personal rule
  3. 1682: Moves the court to Versailles
  4. 1685: Revokes the Edict of Nantes

Louis XIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), known as the "Sun King", was King of France from 14 May 1643 until his death in 1715. He is the longest-reigning monarch in history, reigning for 72 years and 110 days.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Profile

Louis XIV: The Sun King

King of France, born 1638

Louis XIV of France was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye on 5 September 1638.

He became King at the age of four.

He built the Palace of Versailles.

He reigned for 72 years, a European record.

Career highlights

  1. 1643King: accession aged four
  2. 1661Personal rule: begins
  3. 1682Versailles: court moves
  4. 1685Nantes: edict revoked
  5. 1701Spanish Succession: war begins

Did you know?His 72-year reign is the longest of any monarch of a major European country.

Age at death
76
Years since death
311

Family

Spouses
Maria Theresa of Spain, Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon
Children
Charles de La Baume Le Blanc, Françoise Marie de Bourbon, Louis Alexandre, Count of Toulouse, Louis Auguste, Duke of Maine, Louis César, Count of Vexin, Louis François, Duke of Anjou, Louis, Count of Vermandois, Louis, Grand Dauphin, Louise Françoise de Bourbon, Louise Marie Anne de Bourbon, Louise de Maisonblanche, Marie Anne de Bourbon

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Questions people ask

Frequently asked questions

When is Louis XIV of France's birthday?
Louis XIV of France's birthday is September 5. He was born on September 5, 1638 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.
How old was Louis XIV of France when he died?
Louis XIV of France died on September 1, 1715, aged 76.
Who shares a birthday with Louis XIV of France?
Famous people who share Louis XIV of France's September 5 birthday include Freddie Mercury, Caspar David Friedrich, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Michael Keaton and John Cage.

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Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.

Last reviewed: October 2026