Josephine

Josephine (Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie; 1763–1814), first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte; empress of France (1804–9). At 17 she married Vicomte Alexandre de Beauharnais, who was executed by the revolutionary government in 1794. Two years later, she met and married Napoleon. Josephine's inability to bear children who could succeed Napoleon resulted in an amicable divorce in 1809. She remained in love with him for the rest of her life and asked to join him in exile on Elba. He refused, but she died before his refusal reached her.

See also: Napoleon I.