Strategic Marriages Aren't All Failures

Throughout history, marriages were held more out of strategic alliances than love. As a result, they were either utterly catastrophic, sometimes resulting in wars or at least one partner's execution, or highly successful, with many of them blossoming into surprisingly devoted and passionate partnerships. Here are 10 of the most disastrous arranged marriages in history and the 10 most successful. 

Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger; Anne Boleyn by unknown artist on Wikimedia

1. Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn

The most famously disastrous marriage in history, Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn, led to England's break with the Catholic Church and ended with Anne's execution, likely for fabricated reasons.

George Cruikshank on Wikimedia

2. Philip II of Spain & Mary I of England

The marriage between Philip and Mary was meant to create a strong Catholic alliance, but it was a deeply unpopular union in England. It was a difficult marriage, with Philip spending most of his time abroad, Mary suffering phantom pregnancies, and the union reversing Catholic restoration efforts in England.

Hans Eworth on Wikimedia

3. Louis XVI of France & Marie Antoinette

The union between Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette was designed to unite France and Austria, but the marriage was plagued by non-consummation and public ridicule. Antoinette became a scapegoat for France's problems, and they were both executed during the French Revolution. 

anonymous on Wikimedia

4. Ivan the Terrible & Maria Dolgorukaya

Let's face it, being married to Ivan the Terrible would be pretty terrible for anyone. Maria Dolgorukaya was set to marry him for dynastic reasons, but the marriage ended with her being drowned, probably by Ivan. She was his seventh wife.

Unknown author on Wikimedia

5. Cleopatra VII & Ptolemy XIII

Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII were siblings who married by tradition, but the union was disastrous, devolving into civil war after Cleopatra's exile. Caesar eventually arrived, sided with Cleopatra, and Ptolemy XIII eventually died in battle.

Boston Public Library on Wikimedia

6. Louis X & Marguerite of Burgundy

Marguerite of Burgundy was Louis X's first wife, but she was locked in prison during her rule because she was accused of adultery. She died in prison under suspicious circumstances, and Louis X quickly remarried in an attempt to produce a male heir.

Paul Laplagne Barris on Wikimedia

7. Isabella of France & Edward II

Isabella was promised to Edward II of England to mend the rift between England and France. They married when she was 12, and he was 24. However, the union led to a disastrous feud, with Edward favoring his male peers, leading Isabella to side with Roger Mortimer, invade England, and depose Edward. 

John Cassell on Wikimedia

8. Pedro I & Blanche of Bourbon

Pedro I of Castile and Blanche of Bourbon had a disastrous marriage that lasted only three days. Pedro abandoned her for his mistress and had Blanche imprisoned. She eventually died in captivity.

Mhmrodrigues on Wikimedia

9. Philippe I & Bertha of Holland

Philippe I and Bertha of Holland were married as part of a peace treaty. Philip eventually tired of her, even though she produced him heirs, and imprisoned her so he could marry Bertrade de Montfort, who was also married. It was a major scandal.

Unknown author on Wikimedia

10. Henry VIII & Anne of Cleves

Anne of Cleves was Henry VIII's fourth wife, but he cast her aside when he saw that her appearance didn't live up to her portrait. The marriage was annulled after he failed to consummate it. Even so, she was the most successful of Henry's wives, receiving a generous settlement and becoming close friends with Queen Elizabeth I. 

Hans Holbein the Younger on Wikimedia

Now that we've covered the most disastrous arranged marriages in history, let's talk about the surprisingly successful ones.

1. Queen Victoria & Prince Albert

The marriage between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is hailed as a great royal love story. They were first cousins, and their families arranged the marriage, but it ended up being a deep partnership, resulting in nine children. Albert's early death was devastating to Victoria, and she famously wore black mourning clothes for the rest of her life. 

Lytton Strachey Artist F. Winterhalter on Wikimedia

2. Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Mahal

Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal were married young, at the ages of 14 and 15. They were deeply devoted companions, she becoming his close advisor, and bringing 14 children. After her death, Shah Jahan built the iconic Taj Mahal in her memory.

Unknown author on Wikimedia

3. George III & Queen Charlotte

George III and Charlotte met for the first time only hours before their wedding ceremony, but luckily, the couple formed a deep bond. George was a faithful husband, Charlotte supported him through bouts of mental illness, and they produced 15 children.

After Johann Zoffany on Wikimedia

4. Louis IX & Margaret of Provence

Louis IX married Margaret of Provence when she was only 13. Despite challenges caused by Louis's mother, Blanche of Castile, who resented Margaret, the two had a loving relationship, producing 11 children.

François-Séraphin Delpech on Wikimedia

5. Tsar Nicholas II & Alexandra Feodorovna

Tsar Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna's marriage was characterized by intense and passionate love. They had five children, but unfortunately, their reign and lives ended tragically when the whole family was executed during the Bolshevik Revolution.

Eduard Uhlenhuth on Wikimedia

6. Napoleon Bonaparte & Marie-Louise of Austria

Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie-Louise of Austria married to produce a male heir and for a dynastic alliance. It successfully cemented an alliance between France and Austria and resulted in the birth of a son, fulfilling all of Napoleon's wishes.

Charles Guillaume Alexandre Bourgeois on Wikimedia

7. Emperor Akbar & Mariam-uz-Zamani

Emperor Akbar and Mariam-uz-Zamani's union was a political alliance meant to solidify Mughal-Rajput relations and bring about religious tolerance. She became a significant figure in the Mughal dynasty, produced a male heir, and their union became a symbol of harmony. 

An unknown artist of the 16th century. on Wikimedia

8. Philippa of Lancaster & John I of Portugal

The marriage between Philippa of Lancaster and John I of Portugal sealed a peace treaty between England and Portugal and formed a vital alliance. The two produced several influential children, and she became a beloved queen. 

James Newton on Wikimedia

9. George V & Queen Mary 

George V and Queen Mary's marriage was known for its devotion. They had six children, and Mary was a popular and supportive figure during WWI and WWII. 

Jean Desboutin on Wikimedia

10. Henry VII & Elizabeth of York

The union between Henry VII and Elizabeth of York was strategically arranged by their mothers, but sometimes, mothers know best. Their marriage produced seven children, and history suggests their relationship was very loving, with Elizabeth becoming a close confidant.

Richard Burchett on Wikimedia