Get this: Catherine the Great of Russia had 22 official lovers during her reign. And when she was done with them? She didn't just ghost them. She gave them palaces, titles, and literally thousands of serfs as parting gifts. 🤯
Okay, so Catherine was married off at 16 to a guy who was... not great. Peter III was obsessed with toy soldiers and was just generally a terrible husband. So, can you blame her for looking for love elsewhere? She famously said her heart couldn't stand to be "even one hour without love." Same, girl, same. 😂
But here's the thing everyone gets wrong: she wasn't a chaotic mess. Catherine was a serial monogamist. One guy at a time. And her relationships often lasted for years! She just had a... very generous severance package.
When it was time to move on, Catherine didn't do drama. She did gifts. And they were INSANE. We're talking next-level parting gifts that would make your jaw drop.
One of her exes, Stanisław Poniatowski, was literally made the King of Poland. Yes, really. Another lover, Grigory Orlov, who helped her overthrow her own husband, got a palace. And it wasn't uncommon for her ex-boyfriends to receive thousands of indentured servants (serfs) to manage their new estates. 🏰
But it wasn't all just fun and games. The love of her life was Grigory Potemkin. Their relationship was a true power partnership. They worked together to expand the Russian Empire, and their love letters are the stuff of legends. 💌
Even after their romance ended, they remained best friends and collaborators. When he died, Catherine was absolutely shattered, writing that a "terrible deathblow has just fallen on my head." It shows that behind the powerful empress was a woman who truly loved. 💔
So, what's the deal with Catherine's love life? It shows she was a woman who was totally in charge. She refused to marry again and give up her power, so she created her own system. She got the love she wanted and kept her throne. A queen who knew her worth and wasn't afraid to pay for what she wanted. We have to respect it. 💅
Catherine the Great: The True Story Behind Her Real and Rumored Love Affairs - Biography.com
Catherine the Great's Scandalous Love Life - History.com
The 6 Most Important Lovers of Catherine the Great - History Hit
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