Bonaparte, Christine (1773–1800)
Bonaparte, Christine (1773–1800)
First wife of Lucien Bonaparte. Name variations: Christine-Eléonore; Catherine Boyer. Born Christine Boyer in 1773; died in childbirth in 1800; daughter of Pierre-André and Rosalie (Fabre) Boyer; became first wife of Lucien Bonaparte (1775–1840), on May 4, 1794; daughter-in-law ofLetizia Bonaparte (1750–1836); sister-in-law of Napoleon I, emperor of France (r. 1804–1815); children: Charlotte Bonaparte; Christine Bonaparte; and two who died in infancy.
Lucien Bonaparte married Christine Boyer, the illiterate sister of an innkeeper with whom Lucien had lodged. Because the marriage was in haste, without the consent of the Bonaparte family, Letizia Bonaparte felt betrayed upon hearing the news, but eventually accepted her daughter-in-law in order to foster peace in the family. Lucien's brother Napoleon was bitterly opposed to the union, however, calling the marriage "idiotic." Christine died in childbirth in 1800.