Napoleon Bonaparte Marries Joséphine de Beauharnais

On March 9, 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte, who would later become the Emperor of the French, married Joséphine de Beauharnais in a civil ceremony. This significant personal event took place as Napoleon was rising to prominence as a military leader.

Context and Background

Joséphine de Beauharnais, born Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie, was a widow who had experienced the upheavals of the French Revolution. Her first husband, Alexandre de Beauharnais, was guillotined during the Reign of Terror. Joséphine herself narrowly escaped execution. After the Revolution, she became a prominent social figure in Parisian society, where she met Napoleon.

Napoleon Bonaparte, at the time of the marriage, was a general in the French army. His relationship with Joséphine was marked by intense affection, although their correspondence reveals periods of strife and jealousy.

The Marriage

The civil ceremony was held in Paris and lacked the accompanying religious rites, typical in the post-revolutionary climate where civil marriages were encouraged. The ceremony was a modest event but marked a turning point in both their lives.

Joséphine was six years older than Napoleon, something that concerned him, as he lied about his age to make the age difference seem smaller. The marriage was strategically advantageous; through Joséphine, Napoleon gained valuable social connections that were beneficial for his career.

Significance and Aftermath

The union was not without its difficulties. Their marriage experienced strains due to Napoleon’s prolonged military campaigns and Joséphine’s perceived infidelities. Eventually, the couple divorced in 1810 due to Joséphine’s inability to bear an heir. Despite the divorce, Napoleon is quoted to have said, “I have loved none but her.”

This marriage was significant as it showcased Napoleon’s ambition and complex personal life, foreshadowing his future as Emperor. It also highlighted the intertwining of personal and political motives during this tumultuous historical period.

Joséphine retained her title of Empress even after the divorce and remained a beloved figure to Napoleon’s supporters. Her legacy lived on through her children from her previous marriage, who went on to play significant roles in European politics.