An éminence grise (French pronunciation: [emin??s ??iz]) or grey eminence is a powerful decision-maker or adviser who operates "behind the scenes" or, in a non-public or unofficial capacity.
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Origin
This phrase originally referred to François Leclerc du Tremblay, the right-hand man of Cardinal Richelieu. Leclerc was a Capuchin friar who was renowned for his beige robe attire, as beige was termed "grey" in that era. The style His Eminence is used to address or refer to a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. Although Leclerc never achieved the rank of cardinal, those around him addressed him as such in deference to the considerable influence this "grey" friar held over "His Eminence the Cardinal".
Leclerc is referred to in several popular works. Aldous Huxley wrote an English biography of Leclerc entitled, Grey Eminence. There is also an 1873 painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme, L'Éminence Grise, which depicts him descending the grand staircase of the Palais Cardinal and the deference shown to him by others present. Leclerc is referred to in Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers as the character Father Joseph, a powerful associate of Richelieu and one to be feared.
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Historical examples
- Empress Jia and Empress Dowager Cixi are two examples of women who essentially ruled Imperial Chinese dynasties. As women were barred from reigning in their own right, the history of China is littered with cases of women exercising political power through their male relatives.
- The Italian Christian Democratic leader Giulio Andreotti was often seen as the éminence grise of governments even when was not actually Prime Minister.
- Dick Cheney was described as an éminence grise of the George W. Bush administration, "a powerful but uncompromising politician with the ear of the president" regarding matters of national security and foreign policy.
- Former diplomat and policy maker Dennis Ross was "viewed as the éminence grise, a sort of Rasputin who casts a spell over secretaries of state and presidents", according to Middle East experts who worked with him during the Reagan, Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations.
In popular culture
The character Marquis de Carabas has this role in the novel and television series, Neverwhere.
In the game, Crusader Kings II, the "Grey Eminence" trait grants a character a high bonus for diplomatic ability.
In season four of the U.S. version of House of Cards, First Lady Claire Underwood becomes the éminence grise behind Acting President Donald Blythe.
In the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin and its TV adaptation, Game of Thrones, Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish is the owner of a great brothel in the capital and the "éminence grise" behind the king and also behind the lords of various regions of the Seven Kingdoms.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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