Caroline Bonaparte
Carolina Maria Annunziata Bonaparte entered the world on the 25th of March 1782 in Ajaccio, Corsica. She was the seventh child and third daughter of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino. Her older brother Joseph and younger brother Jérôme would also become famous figures in European history. The family moved to France during the French Revolution in 1793. Caroline attended a school in St-Germain-en-Laye founded by Madame Jeanne Campan. She studied there alongside Hortense, the daughter of Joséphine de Beauharnais. This institution shaped her early education and social connections within the emerging Napoleonic circle.
Caroline fell in love with Joachim Murat, one of her brother Napoleon's senior cavalry commanders. They married on the 20th of January 1800 when she was just 17 years old. Initially, Napoleon did not wish to allow them to marry. His wife Joséphine de Beauharnais persuaded him to change his mind. Joachim became Marshal of the Empire and later King of Naples. The couple had four children together between 1801 and 1805. Their first son Achille Charles Louis Napoléon Murat was born in Paris on the 21st of January 1801. Princess Marie Letizia Joséphine Annonciade followed on the 26th of April 1802. Lucien Charles Joseph Napoléon arrived in Milan on the 16th of May 1803. The youngest daughter Louise Julie Caroline was born in Paris on the 21st of March 1805.
Caroline became Grand Duchess of Berg and Cleves on the 15th of March 1806. She assumed the title Queen consort of Naples on the 1st of August 1808. Her husband received these positions from their brother Napoleon. As queen, she renovated royal residences in Naples and planned new gardens. She encouraged classical furniture design and patronized silk and cotton industries. French artists found work under her support. Caroline showed interest in archaeological discoveries at Pompeii. She founded a school for girls during her tenure. When Joachim left for war, she served as regent four times. These periods included his participation in Russia from 1812 to 1813, Germany in 1813, the war against Napoleon in 1814, and the Hundred Days return in 1815.
Caroline felt intensely jealous of her sister-in-law Joséphine and her children. Reports suggest she believed Napoleon favored them over his own relatives. She arranged for Napoleon to take a mistress named Éléonore Denuelle. This woman gave birth to his first illegitimate child. The move established that Joséphine was infertile since Napoleon could sire children. This eventually resulted in his divorce from Josephine and remarriage. In 1810, when Napoleon married Marie Louise of Austria, Caroline escorted her to France. At the border between Austria and her duchy, Caroline forced Marie Louise to leave all luggage behind. Servants and even a pet dog remained in Austria while the new Empress continued to France.
During the Hundred Days of 1815, Joachim Murat came out for Napoleon. While he fought, Caroline served as regent of Naples. Joachim was defeated and executed shortly after. Caroline fled to the Austrian Empire following his death. She adopted the title Countess of Lipona during exile. Lipona is an anagram of Napoli, meaning Naples. Her companion Francesco Macdonald accompanied her through these difficult years. They entered a morganatic marriage in 1817. After her husband's death, she lived in Florence until the 18th of May 1839. Caroline died on that date and was buried at the Chiesa di Ognissanti in Florence. Her life ended nearly four decades after her marriage began.
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Common questions
When and where was Caroline Bonaparte born?
Carolina Maria Annunziata Bonaparte entered the world on the 25th of March 1782 in Ajaccio, Corsica. She was the seventh child and third daughter of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino.
Who did Caroline Bonaparte marry and when did they wed?
Caroline fell in love with Joachim Murat and married him on the 20th of January 1800 when she was just 17 years old. Napoleon initially opposed the union but his wife Joséphine de Beauharnais persuaded him to allow it.
What titles did Caroline Bonaparte hold during her lifetime?
Caroline became Grand Duchess of Berg and Cleves on the 15th of March 1806 and assumed the title Queen consort of Naples on the 1st of August 1808. Her husband received these positions from their brother Napoleon.
How many children did Caroline Bonaparte have and what were their names?
The couple had four children together between 1801 and 1805 including Achille Charles Louis Napoléon Murat born in Paris on the 21st of January 1801. Princess Marie Letizia Joséphine Annonciade followed on the 26th of April 1802, Lucien Charles Joseph Napoléon arrived in Milan on the 16th of May 1803, and Louise Julie Caroline was born in Paris on the 21st of March 1805.
When and where did Caroline Bonaparte die?
Caroline died on the 18th of May 1839 after living in Florence until that date. She was buried at the Chiesa di Ognissanti in Florence.