Joséphine de Beauharnais

Definition

Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) was a French noblewoman who was the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). She was therefore Empress of the French from 18 May 1804 until the annulment of her marriage on 10 January 1810, as well as Queen of Italy from March 1805 until 1810.

More about: Joséphine de Beauharnais

Timeline

  • 23 Jun 1763
    Joséphine de Beauharnais is born on a sugar cane plantation in the French colony of Martinique.
  • Dec 1779
    Marie-Rose Tascher (the future Joséphine Bonaparte) marries her first husband, Alexandre de Beauharnais in Paris.
  • 22 Apr 1794 - 29 Jul 1794
    Joséphine de Beauharnais is imprisoned during the Reign of Terror.
  • 23 Jul 1794
    Alexandre de Beauharnais is guillotined.
  • 9 Mar 1796
    Napoleon and Joséphine are married in a civil ceremony in Paris.
  • 2 Dec 1804
    Emperor Napoleon I and Empress Joséphine are coronated in a sacred ceremony in the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.
  • 10 Jan 1810
    The annulment of Napoleon and Joséphine's marriage is confirmed in a divorce ceremony.
  • 29 May 1814
    Joséphine de Beauharnais dies at the Château de Malmaison, age 50.
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