Napoleon Bonaparte and Three Women in His Life

What Is Napoleon Bonaparte Famous For?

Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the greatest military leaders and made an indelible mark on the history of Europe. He was born Napoleon Buonaparte in the Corsican city of Ajaccio in 1769. Because of his famously short stature (he was purportedly 5'6"), he was nicknamed ‘Little Corporal.’

According to Royal Museums Greenwich, "Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most successful generals of the French revolutionary armies. He was emperor of France from 1804 to 14, and in 1815. [He] is regarded as one of history's greatest military leaders."

The Emperor's Famous Love Affairs

Napoleon's love life parallels his war history. He had affairs with many women and had many mistresses, but three women made separate and distinctive marks in the life of this great hero. These are the women we will meet in this article:

• Josephine de Beauharnais of France
• Maria Walewska of Poland
• Marie-Louise of Austria

Josephine de Beauharnais

In 1795, Napoleon met Josephine de Beauharnais at a party hosted by Paul Barras, Napoleon’s mentor and “de facto” governor of France. At that time, Josephine was 32 years old and Barras' mistress.

Josephine's Early Life and First Marriage

Josephine’s original name was Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, and she was born to a poor family as the first of three daughters of a gambling-addict father.

She did not use the name "Joséphine" before meeting Napoleon, who was the first to call her such, perhaps from her middle name, Josèphe. Before she met Napoleon, Josephine went by "Rose" or "Marie-Rose."

She married aristocrat Alexandre de Beauharnais at the age of sixteen and had a son (Eugene) and a daughter (Hortense) from this marriage.

But that marriage was over when she was twenty years of age. In 1794, she was arrested with Alexandre for treason and imprisoned in prison in Paris. Alexandre was tried and executed, but Josephine escaped unharmed and became the mistress of Paul Barras.

Why Did Napoleon Marry Josephine?

By the time Napoleon attended Paul Barras' party in 1975, Barras was no longer interested in Josephine and sought a new mistress. So, for Josephine, meeting the young hero Napoleon was an opportunity to survive in French society.

Fortunately for her, Napoleon was in search of a wife and was impressed with Josephine's renowned beauty. He was not concerned about her "advanced" age because he believed that he would gain more acceptance in society if he married a sophisticated older woman.

Was Napoleon in Love with Josephine?

Napoleon and Josephine married in March 1796. A few days after marriage, Napoleon left his newlywed wife in Paris and went to lead a battle against the Italians and Austrians. But, according to Napoleon's many heartfelt letters to Josephine, he was truly in love with his wife.

Was Josephine Loyal to Napoleon?

It is less clear whether Josephine returned her husband's ardent feelings. She continued to flirt with others in society while Napoleon was away from Paris, and yet her letters to Napoleon expressed feelings of intimacy and shared grief at her husband's long absences.

It is well documented that Josephine had extramarital affairs while married to Napoleon, but she did not seek to end their marriage, and Napoleon never doubted her love for him.

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Napoleon Divorced Josephine

Napoleon wanted an heir to name as his successor, but Josephine could not bear a child for him. Despite the fact that he may have still loved her, Napoleon left Josephine.

In 1809, Napoleon decided to divorce her in pursuit of a political alliance that could secure an heir to his empire. The divorce was finalized on January 10, 1810, but he continued to provide for her and her children thereafter. Josephine retained the title of Empress until her death in 1814.

Maria Walewska

After leaving Josephine, Napoleon pursued many mistresses. In 1807, he met Countess Maria Walewska in Warsaw, Poland. She was very beautiful and just 20 years old. At that time, Maria was married to 71-year-old Count Anastase Walewski, but this marriage was not an obstacle to Napoleon.

Though still married to the Count, Maria Walewska bore Napoleon's son in May 1810, just two months after Napoleon's divorce from Josephine. The baby was named Alexandre Florian Joseph Walewski because Maria was still legally married to the count at the time of giving birth to her son. As such, the child would never be recognized as Napoleon's legitimate heir.

Maria Walewska divorced Count Walewski and married Count d’Ornano in 1816. But this marriage did not last long because she died in 1817 after giving birth to another son.

Marie-Louise

Napoleon was now adamant about having a rightful successor of his own blood. His earlier wife Josephine failed to give him offspring, and the son born to him by Maria Waleska was out of wedlock. So, he endeavored to find a new legitimate alliance to achieve a lawful heir.

He negotiated with the Czar Alexander of Russia to marry his sister, but the czar’s mother was not willing to give her daughter to Napoleon.

Why Did Napoleon Marry His Second Wife?

Napoleon then made arrangements to marry the archduchess of Austria, Maria Louisa. She was the daughter of the Emperor Francis II of Austria. After the marriage, Napoleon changed her name to Marie-Louise. She was not a good wife as Napoleon expected, but she bore him offspring in 1811 as he wished. He named his son and solitary heir Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles.

Even though his wife was the daughter of the emperor of Austria, Austria declared war on Napoleon in 1813. In March 1814, Napoleon stepped down after the defeat of Paris by the coalition group of Britain, Prussia, Sweden and Austria.

Louis XVI, brother of Louis XVIII, was placed on the French throne. Napoleon’s wife returned to Austria to be with her father and son after this incident. Napoleon never again saw Marie-Louise or their son.

Napoleon's Exiles

He was exiled to the islands of Elba by the enemies. But after ten months, in February 1815, he returned to power after forcing Louis XVIII to flee from the country. However, British and Prussian opposition forces gathered against Napoleon, and the Battle of Waterloo started three months after he regained power.

In June 1815, Napoleon was defeated by the combined forces of the British and Prussian armies. He surrendered to the British and was sent into exile on the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. Napoleon remained a captive for the next six years till his death on May 5, 1821.

Marie-Louise married Austrian General Count von Neipperg a few months after Napoleon’s death.

Did Napoleon Have Children?

For each question, choose the best answer. The answer key is below.

1. How many children did Napoleon have?
   • He had no biological children, only an adopted son.
   • He had one legitimate child and may have had as many as three to four illegitimate children.
2. Did Napoleon have an heir?
   • Napoleon II, also known as the King of Rome, was Napoleon's heir.
   • Napoleon and Josephine had one son who would have been the heir had he not died shortly after birth.
3. Did Napoleon and Josephine have any children?
   • No—Joséphine had two children from her previous marriage whom Napoleon treated as his own.
   • Yesu—they had one son who died shortly after he was born.
4. Who did Napoleon have a son with?
   • Josephine
   • Marie Louise