The leader often associated with the phrase "Let them eat cake" is Marie Antoinette. Although there is historical debate regarding her actual attribution of this phrase, it is widely interpreted as indicative of her perceived indifference to the plight of the French peasantry during a time of widespread famine. This statement, whether authentic or not, helped cement her image as a symbol of the extravagance and disconnect of the monarchy leading up to the French Revolution. Ultimately, it contributed to public discontent and her eventual downfall.