Jeanne Bonaparte

Jeanne was born on 15 September 1861 in Orval Abbey in Belgium.[2] She was one of five children born to her parents, although she only had one sibling that survived to adulthood: Roland Bonaparte.[3] Though born during the reign of Napoleon III of France, her family was never well received at the French imperial court.[3] He was very intelligent and well-educated; in his youth, he did much traveling.[2] Upon his return from fighting in Spain, he devoted himself to the study of literature and history; his writings were much admired by critics.[2] One observer commented at their wedding:

Jeanne Bonaparte advanced up the nave leaning on the arm of her brother... She has little of her mother's striking beauty, although she resembles her a good deal, but she is tall, distinguished looking, and has a wealth of raven tresses...[4]

Jeanne and Christian had six children.

Jeanne had a Paris salon that was frequented by illustrious writers and painters, as well as the cream of American society. Her husband was, apart from politics, mostly interested in occultism.[5] George Greville Moore, an English officer, was a contemporary of Jeanne's. He wrote that she:

used to make a great display of toilette at certain balls. She was remarkable for her beauty, which was more of the Oriental style; she was very dark and had a sallow complexion, but beautiful black eyes and long eyelashes. I remember one evening every one crowding around the staircase to see her arrive at a ball. On that occasion she wore a white dress trimmed with water-lilies, with a tremendously long train, and no jewelry whatsoever. She rarely, if ever, danced; her long train scarcely allowed it.[6]

On 21 November 1907, Jeanne served as a witness for the marriage of her niece Princess Marie Bonaparte to Prince George of Greece and Denmark.

Jeanne died on 25 July 1910 in Paris, at the age of 48.[1]