She Met Her Husband at 10
At the age of 10, Princess Sophie, later known as Catherine the Great, was introduced to her second cousin, Peter III of Russia, who would become her future husband. Despite their familial connection, their early encounter was far from harmonious. Peter, at just 11, was already displaying signs of a sickly and childish nature, exacerbated by a budding drinking problem. Catherine, a vivacious tomboy and renowned beauty, immediately developed a strong aversion to him. However, familial and political pressures led to their marriage when Catherine turned 16 in 1745.
Despite the initial repulsion, Catherine was determined not to be merely “Peter’s wife” in the Russian court. She immersed herself in learning Russian and navigating the complexities of the imperial court, laying the foundation for her eventual rise to power.
