Born Delphine Gay in Paris, she married the journalist and writer Émile de Girardin. From a young age, she showed literary talent, publishing her first collection of poems at 18. Her salons were attended by the most prominent figures in literature, art, and politics, making her a central figure in Parisian cultural life. Her novels, such as 'La Canne de Monsieur de Balzac', and plays were well-received. She also wrote for newspapers, often under pseudonyms. Her work reflects the nuances of 19th-century French society and her own subtle feminist perspective in an era of significant restrictions for women.