How Old Was Josephine When She Married Napoleon

So, I was recently watching this period drama, right? And there's this scene where young Josephine is all like, "I do!" and Napoleon's standing there, looking all imperious, and I thought to myself, "Hang on a minute, how old was she, anyway?"

Now, I know what you're thinking, "Who cares, it's just a show!" But hear me out, because this is one of those history things that's actually quite interesting. Plus, it might make you feel a bit better about your own age, or maybe not. Let's dive in, shall we?

Meet Josephine, the Teenage Bride

Alright, so here's the deal. Josephine was just a teen when she tied the knot with Napoleon. She was 16, to be exact. Now, I know what you're thinking, "16? That's like, really young!" And you're right, it is. But remember, this was the late 18th century, and things were a bit different back then.

Josephine, or Joséphine de Beauharnais as she was then, was a French Creole from Martinique. She was sent to France at the age of 14 to be educated, and that's where she met her first husband, Alexander de Beauharnais. They got married when she was just 16, and had two kids together. So, when she married Napoleon in 1796, she was already a mom of two.

Napoleon, the Older Man

Now, let's talk about Napoleon. He was 26 when they got married, which might not seem that old now, but back then, that was like, proper adult age. He was already a rising star in the French army, and he was smitten with Josephine. They'd met a few years earlier, but it was only after her first husband was executed during the French Revolution that they reconnected.

Napoleon and Joséphine: Their Tumultuous Love Story | HISTORY

Napoleon was so besotted with Josephine that he proposed to her after only a few weeks of courting. And she said yes! I mean, can you imagine that happening today? "Hey, let's get married after like, three dates?" Yeah, didn't think so.

Love, War, and Divorce

So, they got married, and things were hunky-dory for a while. But then, Napoleon started his military campaigns, and Josephine was left at home. She wasn't exactly a faithful wife, and Napoleon found out. Ouch!

Despite their marital issues, they had one child together, a son named Eugène. But in the end, their marriage didn't last. Napoleon divorced Josephine in 1810, saying he needed an heir to continue his dynasty. Cruel, but true.

Joséphine Bonaparte – Josephine Napoleon’S Wife – WYHSYT

But here's where it gets interesting. After Napoleon's death, Josephine was asked if she wanted to be buried with him. She declined, saying she preferred to rest where she was, with her children. Now, that's love!

So, How Old Was Josephine?

Alright, back to the original question. Josephine was 16 when she married Napoleon. But remember, she was already a mom of two and a widow by then. So, she was no ordinary 16-year-old. She was a woman of the world, and she held her own with the great Napoleon Bonaparte.

And there you have it, folks. The story of Josephine and Napoleon, and how old she was when they got married. Isn't history fascinating? I mean, it's not just about dates and battles, it's about people too. And people, well, they're just like us, aren't they?