Marie Antoinette did not say "Let them eat cake" when she found out the French peasantry was starving. The quote was published by Rousseau when she was 10 years old and was more likely said by the king's wife or made up by Rousseau. Antoinette later became an unpopular ruler, so the peasantry was happy to attribute the quote to her. More info on HowStuffWorks.com.