They say that marriages are made in heaven. However, some unions have served and are serving purely earthly purposes. They united empires, prevented wars, and changed the world, for better or for worse.
Here are ten of the most powerful marriages in history.
10. Cleopatra and Mark Anthony
Marc Anthony was one of the most powerful military leaders in the entire Roman Empire, but, like many men, he had a weakness for beautiful women. And Cleopatra was one of the most beautiful women in the world. At the same time, she was also very smart: she knew 9 languages, studied astronomy and was one of the best mathematicians of her time.
They fell in love with each other and got married, although the Romans were very unhappy that Mark Anthony left his Roman wife for the sake of a stranger.
As a result, Cleopatra became the ruler of Egypt, Cyprus, Crete and Antioch (Syria). However, due to the confrontation with the political enemy of Mark Anthony - Octavian - Cleopatra and her lover were forced to flee back to Egypt.
Not wanting to become a captive of Octavian, Mark Anthony committed suicide. Learning about this, Cleopatra ordered her servants to get a poisonous snake - Aspida. Then the Queen of Egypt put on luxurious clothes and put a snake to her chest. When they found her, she was already dead.
9. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
The 32nd president of the United States and his wife played a huge role in the country's withdrawal not only from the Great Depression, but also from World War II.
His New Deal, aimed at overcoming the economic crisis of 1929-1933. and her civic advocacy efforts have impacted America for the better. In 1939, the First Lady’s popularity overtook her husband’s popularity: 67% of US citizens rated her performance as “good,” while Franklin Roosevelt received 58% approval ratings. Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the founders of the UN.
However, this marriage contained many problems below the surface, the least of which was sexual incompatibility. According to some, Eleanor was a lesbian. Despite this, the couple stayed together for political reasons, which led America to a brighter future.
8. Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon
The long 24-year marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon is directly responsible for breaking with the Roman Catholic Church.
Henry VIII was looking for a way to divorce Catherine, in whose marriage girls were mostly born (only one daughter survived), and the only son did not live for six months. In addition, all the king's attention was absorbed by maid of honor Anna Boleyn. But he could not annul the marriage, since Catherine did not agree to this, and the Pope did not give his favor.
As a result, the king of England decided to secede from the Catholic Church in order to get what he so passionately wanted. The English parliament passed a series of laws, according to which the power of the Pope no longer had power in the country, and the king was now engaged in all church affairs. In 1534, Henry VIII was proclaimed supreme head of the English Church.
7. Anne-Marie Tus and Helen Faasen
These two are not princesses, not politicians, and not even great military leaders. If you meet these women on the street, you will probably pass by without looking back, because there is nothing unusual in them. Except for one fact.
Anne-Marie Tus and Helen Faasen - the first lesbian couple in world history to enter into a legal marriage. Their union laid the foundation for changing marriage laws around the world.
6. Lucy Stone and Henry Blackwell
Lucy was an American activist for women's rights, while Henry was a businessman who heard her speak at a legislative event. And although at their wedding, played on May 1, 1855, there were neither celebrities, nor a super lush banquet, it became a landmark event for the West of the 19th century.
The fact is that Lucy retained her surname in the marriage without taking her husband's surname. This event went down in history and laid the foundation for women's suffrage in the future. Henry's renunciation of his "family rights" was also unheard of at that time, and made their marriage one of the first truly equal partnerships in the West.
5. Margaret and Denis Thatcher
Usually, a strong woman is behind a successful man. But here, it seems, the situation was the opposite.
The Iron Lady, who became the first female Prime Minister of Great Britain, has achieved tremendous success in politics. However, she repeatedly wrote that she could not have done as much as she did without her husband, who was always on her side.
4. Bill and Hillary Clinton
One of the most influential couples in modern history was remembered not only by the scandal with the dirty dress of Monica Lewinsky, but also by the loyalty to her husband, which was preserved (perhaps purely outwardly) by the First Lady of the United States.
In politics, Hillary has held many important posts - from the head of the health care reform committee to the senator in New York State and the US Secretary of State under Barack Obama. She maintains an active anti-Russian stance and opposes the policies of the current US President Donald Trump.
3. Raisa and Mikhail Gorbachev
Once this couple from the USSR fascinated the world. This was not a political union, but the strongest love marriage. Michael and Raisa were married while still students.
However, after graduation, Gorbachev’s political career went uphill. And when he became the first person then not of Russia, but of the USSR, Raisa Gorbacheva became the First Lady of a new type.
She did not remain in the shadow of her husband, but actively appeared in public, went with Gorbachev on foreign trips and was a trendsetter on an all-Union scale. It was Raisa Gorbacheva who opened the Burda Fashion House in Moscow. Foreign publications wrote about her "Communist Lady with Parisian chic." She received the awards "Woman of the Year", "Woman of the World" and "Lady of the Year".
One can have a different attitude to the activities of Mikhail Gorbachev as General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, as well as the first and last president of the USSR. However, the fact that he and his wife in many respects influenced the world politics of the 90s of the XX century is undeniable.
2. Maria and Pierre Curie
Let's talk about marriage chemistry. And physics. Working side by side in Paris, the Curie spouses were pioneers in the study of radioactivity, without which we would not have X-rays, radiotherapy, and, by the way, no nuclear reactors. Maria is still one of the smartest women in the history of the world.
The names of Maria and Pierre Curie have reached a truly cosmic scale. One of the craters on Mars, the asteroid 7000 Curie, and a crater on the far side of the moon are named after them.
1. Abraham and Sarah
Although some people do not believe that these two famous historical figures have ever existed, it is impossible to deny the influence of their marriage. As a result of the union of Abraham and Sarah, many children appeared who laid the foundation for the three major religions of the world. Without Abraham and Sarah, Judaism, Christianity and Islam could not exist today.
