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Joséphine Bonaparte

Joséphine Bonaparte (born Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie; 1763–1814) was the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and empress of the French from 1804 to 1809.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Joséphine Bonaparte (born Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie; 1763–1814) was the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and empress of the French from 1804 to 1809. Born in Martinique, she later became a prominent figure of the Napoleonic era and was also queen of Italy by marriage. After her divorce from Napoleon, she lived at Malmaison until her death in 1814.

Early life

Joséphine was born in 1763 in Martinique as Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie. She came from a colonial planter family and later moved to France.

Marriage to Napoleon

After becoming the widow of Alexandre de Beauharnais, she married Napoleon Bonaparte in 1796. Their marriage made her one of the central figures of the Napoleonic court.

Empress of the French

She became empress in 1804 when Napoleon established the First French Empire. She also held the title of queen of Italy by marriage.

Divorce and later life

The marriage was annulled in 1810 because it was childless and Napoleon sought an heir. Joséphine then lived at Malmaison until her death in 1814.

Key facts

  • Born in Martinique to a colonial family, she was raised in the French Caribbean before moving to France.
  • She first married Alexandre de Beauharnais and had two children, Eugène and Hortense.
  • She married Napoleon Bonaparte in 1796 and became empress when he proclaimed the First French Empire in 1804.
  • Her marriage was annulled in 1810 because Napoleon needed a dynastic heir.
  • She died at Malmaison in 1814.
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Canadian context

Joséphine Bonaparte has no direct Canadian connection, but she is a significant figure in French and European history, which is relevant to Canadian readers because of Canada’s French heritage and the broader Napoleonic period.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Joséphine Bonaparte?
She was Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife and empress of the French from 1804 to 1809.
What was Joséphine Bonaparte’s birth name?
Her birth name was Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie.
Where was Joséphine Bonaparte born?
She was born at Les Trois-Îlets in Martinique.
Did Joséphine Bonaparte have children?
Yes. She had two children from her first marriage: Eugène and Hortense de Beauharnais.
Why did Napoleon divorce Joséphine?
Their marriage was annulled in 1810, largely because it had produced no heir for Napoleon.
When did Joséphine Bonaparte die?
She died on 29 May 1814 at Malmaison, France.

References

  1. France Archives — https://francearchives.gouv.fr/fr/authorityrecord/FRAN_NP_051172
    Supports: Birth and death dates; title as Empress of the French and Queen of Italy; birth in Martinique.
  2. Musées nationaux de Malmaison — https://musees-nationaux-malmaison.fr/chateau-malmaison/josephine-et-bonaparte
    Supports: Birth name, marriage to Napoleon, empress status, divorce, and death at Malmaison.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Josephine
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death details, role as Napoleon’s consort and empress.
  4. Château de Versailles — https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/great-characters/josephine-beauharnais
    Supports: Her status as first wife of Napoleon and Empress of the French from 1804 to 1809.
  5. Library of Congress — https://guides.loc.gov/women-in-the-french-revolution/josephine-bonaparte
    Supports: Name usage, birthplace in Martinique, and biographical background.