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Why did Louis XIV decide to rule without another first minister after Jules Mazarin died?

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Jules, Cardinal Mazarin Jules, Cardinal Mazarin, detail of a portrait by Philippe de Champaigne; in the Musée Condé, Chantilly, France.

Following the death of Cardinal Mazarin on March 9, 1661, Louis XIV made the dramatic decision to assume full responsibility for ruling the kingdom himself, rather than appointing another first minister.1

This move was a significant departure from the tradition established during the reigns of his predecessors. Louis XIV’s decision was rooted in his personal concept of divine right, as he viewed himself as God’s representative on earth. From this conviction, he derived a sense of infallibility and a firm belief that he should personally oversee all aspects of governance, from court etiquette and theological disputes to troop movements and infrastructure projects.1

While he did not appoint a first minister, he continued to rely on a High Council of trusted advisors—such as Jean-Baptiste Colbert and Michel Le Tellier—to assist him. However, these ministers served under the king's direct and watchful eye, and Louis XIV remained the ultimate authority who made all final decisions.12