When Marriage Became a Very Bad Deal
Marriage has rarely been simple, particularly when royalty, politics, money, and enormous egos are involved. Throughout history, plenty of powerful men managed to turn their marriages into deeply unhappy arrangements, whether through cruelty, infidelity, neglect, manipulation, or an alarming sense of entitlement. Some were terrible husbands because they treated their wives as political property, while others managed to make ordinary marital problems look remarkably tame by comparison.
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1. Henry VIII Treated Marriage Like a Political Strategy
Henry VIII is probably the first king who comes to mind when thinking about terrible royal husbands. He married six times, and all of his relationships were doomed by his quest for a male heir. Catherine of Aragon resisted an entire decade of Henry’s efforts to annul their marriage. Looking lightly at Tudor politics, Henry still managed to make marriage extremely fatal.
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2. Nero Turned Marriage Into Court Politics
Roman emperor Nero married several times, but none of his unions really shine as examples of marital bliss. His first wife, Octavia, became expendable and was executed when Nero convinced the public she was cheating on him. He then married Poppaea Sabina, who rose to incredible political power before her passing at Nero’s hands years later.
3. Ivan the Terrible Made Marriage Dangerous
Ivan IV of Russia, known as Ivan the Terrible, had a rocky personal life much like his turbulent reign had been. His first wife, Anastasia Romanovna, appears to have been sincerely loved by Ivan, but her passing only increased his paranoia. His other marriages were politically motivated and shrouded in mystery.
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4. Louis XIV Put Duty Before Domesticity
Louis XIV may have been known as the Sun King, but his treatment of his queen barely cast a glow. He married Maria Theresa of Spain for diplomatic reasons and continued to respect her without ever showing significant signs of devotion. Louis XIV maintained several mistresses during his marriage who became political figures at the French court.
5. Peter the Great Wasn't Exactly a Model Spouse
Peter the Great opened Russia up to the world and became a major player on the European stage, but he was far from perfect at home. He married Catherine, who would later rule in her own right as Catherine I, but not before engaging in a controversial relationship while still married to his first wife. Eudoxia was sent to a convent when Peter became bored and found someone new.
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6. Napoleon Bonaparte Chose Ambition Over Josephine
The romance between Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine de Beauharnais isn’t entirely a story of how ambition ruined love. Napoleon married Joséphine because he loved her, but when he wanted an heir she couldn’t provide, he divorced her. Napoleon married Marie-Louise of Austria soon afterward.
7. Henry II Had a Complicated Home Life
Henry II of England had a notoriously difficult relationship with Eleanor of Aquitaine. His extramarital affair with Rosamund Clifford was legendary. Henry and Eleanor even became political enemies when Eleanor supported their sons in open rebellion against the king.
8. Charles II Had Plenty of Mistresses
Charles II of England was known for his charm, his love of entertainment, and his remarkably extensive collection of mistresses. His wife, Catherine of Braganza, endured years of public infidelity while remaining queen and never giving birth to a surviving legitimate heir. Charles acknowledged several illegitimate children and gave many of them titles and influence.
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9. George I Left His Marriage Behind
George I never reconciled with his wife, Sophia Dorothea of Celle. They separated permanently, and Sophia was imprisoned for decades at Ahlden House when George had their marriage annulled. George went on to become king of Great Britain while Sophia lived out her life unable to return to public life.
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10. Peter III Had a Miserable Marriage With Catherine
Peter III married Catherine before she took the throne as Catherine the Great, but they didn’t enjoy one another’s company very much. Peter apparently never loved his wife, and he pursued other relationships openly. Catherine had trouble finding her place as queen, and Peter refused to make their marriage work.
11. George IV Was Constantly At Odds With Caroline
The marriage between George IV and Caroline of Brunswick was doomed from the start. The two didn’t like each other and soon separated after their marriage. George went on to make Caroline’s life miserable, trying his best to stop her from being recognized as queen.
12. Edward IV's Secret Marriage Created Chaos
King Edward IV married Elizabeth Woodville behind his advisors’ backs. His marriage was never condemned by the English people, but Edward created powerful enemies by bypassing political protocol. Edward then promoted Elizabeth’s family at court, causing problems that wouldn’t be forgotten anytime soon. Edward isn’t necessarily known for being cruel to his wife, but his marriages were quite messy.
13. Richard III's Marriage Was Wrapped in Political Turmoil
King Richard III married Anne Neville, who happened to be the widow of the former king’s heir. Edward of Westminster died young during the Wars of the Roses, leaving his wife to marry Richard years later. Richard’s controversial rise to power colored his marriage to historical villains.
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14. Philip II of Spain Married Four Times
Philip II married four times during his life, and he never loved his wives necessarily for who they were. Each marriage was politicized to some extent, as was common among rulers at the time. His marriage to Mary I of England was especially troublesome, as many English disliked the idea of a Spanish queen.
15. James II Made Marriage a Political Flashpoint
King James II married a commoner named Anne Hyde before ascending to the throne, then married Italian princess Mary of Modena after Anne’s death. James converted to Catholicism, and his second marriage became controversial when his child replaced Protestant rulers on the English throne. James’ marriages are responsible for tossing England into a political crisis that ended with his removal as king.
16. Afonso VI of Portugal Had a Troubled Marriage
King Afonso VI of Portugal was mentally unstable, which made his marriage to Maria Francisca of Savoy a difficult one. Maria divorced Afonso by claiming her husband was mentally incapable of consummating their marriage. She later married Pedro, who was Afonso’s brother.
17. Edward II Lost Control of His Marriage and Kingdom
King Edward II was unhappily married to Isabella of France. She and her husband acted out their political differences until Isabella aligned with the king’s enemy and participated in a coup d’état. Edward’s marriage fell apart as England changed leadership and their domestic problems became war.
18. Constantine the Great Faced a Family Scandal
Roman emperor Constantine the Great married Fausta, the daughter of his political rival Maximian, in a union that helped strengthen his position after years of civil conflict. Their marriage produced several children, but it ended amid a devastating family scandal in which both Fausta and Constantine's eldest son, Crispus, passed away in 326. The precise circumstances remain debated, and ancient accounts disagree about what happened.
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19. Commodus Wasn't Exactly Husband Material
Roman emperor Commodus loved showing off his participation in gladiator games, increasing his authoritarian rule, and hoarding wealth. He married Bruttia Crispina and then had her executed after alleging she had cheated on him. Whether or not Bruttia was innocent is irrelevant because being married to Commodus was fatal.
20. King Farouk Lived a Life of Excess
King Farouk had two wives over the course of his life. He spent extravagantly, took many mistresses, and distanced himself from Egyptian culture. His first wife bore him three daughters before Farouk divorced her. His second marriage lasted only a few years before he and Narriman Sadek divorced. King Farouk was overthrown along with his dynasty in 1952.
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