Hortense-de-Beauharnais was born on April 10, 1783, in Paris, France. She was the daughter of Alexandre-de-Beauharnais and Joséphine-de-Beauharnais, who would later become the Empress of the French as the first wife of Napoleon-Bonaparte. Hortense's life was deeply intertwined with the political and social upheavals of the French-Revolution and the subsequent Napoleonic era.
Following her father's execution during the Reign-of-Terror in 1794, Hortense and her brother, Eugène-de-Beauharnais, were raised by their mother, Joséphine. In 1796, Joséphine married Napoleon, which elevated Hortense's status in French society.
In 1802, Hortense married Louis-Bonaparte, Napoleon's younger brother. This marriage was part of Napoleon's strategy to consolidate power by forming alliances through family ties. However, the marriage was not a happy one, marked by Louis's ill health and Hortense's unfulfilled ambitions for political influence. They had three sons:
Hortense was known for her charm, musical talents, and artistic inclinations. She played a significant role in court life, often hosting musical evenings and writing songs that were popular at the time. However, her relationship with Napoleon was complex; while she benefited from his favor, she also faced his disapproval at times, especially concerning her personal life and her relationship with her husband.
After Napoleon's abdication in 1814 and during the Hundred-Days, Hortense found herself in political disfavor. She went into exile in Switzerland and later in Austria, where she continued to exert influence through her connections and her son, Louis-Napoleon. Her life in exile was marked by her continued support for her family's political ambitions, notably her son's eventual rise to power as Napoleon III.
Hortense-de-Beauharnais died on October 5, 1837, in Arenenberg, Switzerland. Her legacy includes not only her role in the Napoleonic era but also her contributions to French music and culture. Her descendants continued to play significant roles in European politics and culture.
Sources: