A List Of All The Love Affairs Catherine The Great Had In Her Lifetime
During her 34-year reign over Russia, Catherine the Great made many significant contributions to the country.
She ushered in an era of progress and modernization, improved the educational system, expanded the country’s borders, promoted the arts, and transformed Russia into a global economic and political powerhouse.
She was famed for her achievements as one of history’s longest-reigning female rulers, but what she’s most remembered for today is the long string of lovers she had.
Her multiple love affairs gave way to a swarm of rumors about her spicy behavior that were mostly created by misogynistic male rivals trying to ruin her reputation.
She was also never in more than one relationship at once. Additionally, she was very generous to the men she was involved with, bestowing gifts and titles on all of them.
When she was 16-years-old, she was forced into an arranged marriage to her second cousin, Peter III, in 1745.
They were ill-matched, and she was unhappy with his immature ways from the start. In 1754, she gave birth to their son, Paul.
Some people doubted the child’s legitimacy since Peter III’s aunt Elizabeth, who was the ruler at the time, took him away to raise him.
Later on, Catherine and Peter III had an agreement to seek relationships outside of their marriage. The first of her lovers was Sergei Saltykov, a Russian military officer with whom she had a child.
Mistervlad – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Next, there was Stanislaus Poniatowski, a Polish nobleman, who fathered one of her daughters. After him came Russian lieutenant Grigory Orlov, who is believed to be the father of one of her sons.
When Elizabeth died in 1761 on Christmas Day, Peter III ascended the throne. During this time, Catherine was in a relationship with Orlov.
He helped her remove her husband from his seat on the throne so she could claim it for herself. In exchange for his help, she granted him the title of Count and gave him a palace. Their relationship ended in 1772 after she discovered his affairs with other women.
From 1772 to 1774, she dated Alexander Vasilchikov, a man who didn’t hold a candle to her next and most favorite lover, Grigory Potemkin.
He was part of the guard that overthrew her husband. The minor nobleman made a name for himself as a great military leader during the Russo-Turkish War.
He was 10 years younger than Catherine and was missing one eye, but he had a lot of charm. Love letters between him and Catherine showed that they were very devoted to one another.
Aside from their romantic passion, the two of them also shared an interest in politics. They worked together to annex Crimea and built the Russian Black Sea Fleet, elevating the country’s naval power.
Their relationship ended in 1776, but they remained close, and their letters continued until his death. She mourned his passing deeply.
Afterward, she was involved with several other men, but none of them really lasted. Following the breakups, she always sent her exes generous parting gifts. Catherine never married again, as she did not want to split her power.
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