RSS FEEDS
Send to friend
Biography - Bookmark this page
Nefertiti and Amenhotep IV (c. 1349 BC-1336 BC)
Known to be the most controversial and remarkable king in Egyptian history, Amenhotep IV broke from traditional religion and introduced the monotheistic worship of the sun god. After changing his name to Akhenaten, he and his beautiful Egyptian wife, Nefertiti, left Thebes, destroyed traditional sites of worship and built elaborate temples to the sun. The religious reforms were so revolutionary that enemies and corruption soon emerged. Akhenaten died in the 18th year of his reign, and it is speculated that after his death, Queen Nefertiti was killed. Akhenaten’s successor, Horemhab, dated his reign from the end of Amenhotep III, ostensibly eradicating Amenhotep IV’s entire reign.
Antony and Cleopatra (41 BC-30 BC)
After Caesar’s assassination, Cleopatra set her sights on the dashing Roman general Marc Antony. The two began an affair, resulting in twins in 40 B.C. Antony wed Cleopatra in 36 B.C., and appointed his new wife ruler of Egypt, Cyprus, Crete and Cyria. This abuse of power so outraged the Roman Senate that they denounced him a traitor. After losing a major battle at sea, Antony and Cleopatra were forced to flee to Egypt in 31 B.C. In desperation, Cleopatra spread rumors of her own suicide. Antony, unaware of her plan, stabbed himself to death. When Cleopatra heard of this, she took her own life by inducing a poisonous snake to bite her.
After Caesar’s assassination, Cleopatra set her sights on the dashing Roman general Marc Antony. The two began an affair, resulting in twins in 40 B.C. Antony wed Cleopatra in 36 B.C., and appointed his new wife ruler of Egypt, Cyprus, Crete and Cyria. This abuse of power so outraged the Roman Senate that they denounced him a traitor. After losing a major battle at sea, Antony and Cleopatra were forced to flee to Egypt in 31 B.C. In desperation, Cleopatra spread rumors of her own suicide. Antony, unaware of her plan, stabbed himself to death. When Cleopatra heard of this, she took her own life by inducing a poisonous snake to bite her.
Abigail and John Adams (1762-1818)
During their courtship and marriage, John Adams and Abigail Smith Adams exchanged over 1,100 letters, many filled with intellectual discussions on government and politics considered an invaluable account of the Revolutionary War. Abigail, a fierce advocate of rights for women and African Americans, was an important partner throughout John’s political career. The couple lived on a farm in Quincy, Massachusetts, where they raised five children. Abigail died in 1818; John died in 1826, 16 months after their son, John Quincy Adams, was sworn in as the sixth President of the United States.
During their courtship and marriage, John Adams and Abigail Smith Adams exchanged over 1,100 letters, many filled with intellectual discussions on government and politics considered an invaluable account of the Revolutionary War. Abigail, a fierce advocate of rights for women and African Americans, was an important partner throughout John’s political career. The couple lived on a farm in Quincy, Massachusetts, where they raised five children. Abigail died in 1818; John died in 1826, 16 months after their son, John Quincy Adams, was sworn in as the sixth President of the United States.
Napoleon and Josephine (1795-1810)
Napoleon did not care for Josephine's given name, Rose, so he renamed her Josephine, which she kept for the rest of her life. He proposed in January 1796 and sent her intensely romantic love letters from numerous posts around the world with the French army. Despite rumors of her infidelity and his jealous temperament, Napoleon and Josephine were crowned Emperor and Empress of the French in 1804. The couple divorced in 1810 after her infertility was confirmed, freeing Napoleon to take a wife who could provide an heir. The couple remained on good terms, with Napoleon once saying that the only thing to come between them was her debts.
Napoleon did not care for Josephine's given name, Rose, so he renamed her Josephine, which she kept for the rest of her life. He proposed in January 1796 and sent her intensely romantic love letters from numerous posts around the world with the French army. Despite rumors of her infidelity and his jealous temperament, Napoleon and Josephine were crowned Emperor and Empress of the French in 1804. The couple divorced in 1810 after her infertility was confirmed, freeing Napoleon to take a wife who could provide an heir. The couple remained on good terms, with Napoleon once saying that the only thing to come between them was her debts.
Annie Oakley and Frank Butler (1881-1926)
Annie Oakley was a renowned regional sharpshooter when she met Frank Butler in the spring of 1881. The young Irish immigrant challenged 21-year-old Annie to a shooting match, which she handily won. A courtship ensued, and they married in 1882. They took their show on the road, with Butler serving as Oakley's assistant and business manager. Annie's starring role in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show made her the first American female superstar. After she died in 1926, Frank was so devastated that he stopped eating and died 20 days later. Their story inspired the 1935 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun.
Annie Oakley was a renowned regional sharpshooter when she met Frank Butler in the spring of 1881. The young Irish immigrant challenged 21-year-old Annie to a shooting match, which she handily won. A courtship ensued, and they married in 1882. They took their show on the road, with Butler serving as Oakley's assistant and business manager. Annie's starring role in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show made her the first American female superstar. After she died in 1926, Frank was so devastated that he stopped eating and died 20 days later. Their story inspired the 1935 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun.
Franklin D. Roosevelt & Eleanor Roosevelt (1903–1945)
Eleanor Roosevelt began courting her father’s fifth cousin, 20-year-old Harvard student Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1903. The couple got engaged in November, married on St. Patrick’s Day 1905, and produced six children, five of whom survived infancy. In 1921, while vacationing in Campobello Island, New Brunswick, FDR contracted an illness that resulted in permanent paralysis of his legs. Another blow followed: FDR's affair with Eleanor's social secretary, Lucy Mercer. The marriage endured, however, and as President and First Lady, they used their influence to promote New Deal policies and advocate for civil rights.
Eleanor Roosevelt began courting her father’s fifth cousin, 20-year-old Harvard student Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1903. The couple got engaged in November, married on St. Patrick’s Day 1905, and produced six children, five of whom survived infancy. In 1921, while vacationing in Campobello Island, New Brunswick, FDR contracted an illness that resulted in permanent paralysis of his legs. Another blow followed: FDR's affair with Eleanor's social secretary, Lucy Mercer. The marriage endured, however, and as President and First Lady, they used their influence to promote New Deal policies and advocate for civil rights.
George Burns and Gracie Allen (1923-1964)
George Burns met Gracie Allen in 1922, and they married in 1926. Their highly successful vaudeville act featured George as the straight man to Gracie's zany antics. The couple created its best-known sketch for radio, a situation comedy starring themselves as a working show business couple. They carried the format to television in 1948, including next-door neighbors Harry and Blanche Morton, Gracie's infamous illogical logic, and the signature "Say goodnight, Gracie" at the show's close. The duo also made films, including an Oscar-nominated turn in A Damsel in Distress with Fred Astaire.
George Burns met Gracie Allen in 1922, and they married in 1926. Their highly successful vaudeville act featured George as the straight man to Gracie's zany antics. The couple created its best-known sketch for radio, a situation comedy starring themselves as a working show business couple. They carried the format to television in 1948, including next-door neighbors Harry and Blanche Morton, Gracie's infamous illogical logic, and the signature "Say goodnight, Gracie" at the show's close. The duo also made films, including an Oscar-nominated turn in A Damsel in Distress with Fred Astaire.
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera (1929-1954)
Frida Kahlo first met Diego Rivera when she was an art student hoping to get advice on her career from the famous Mexican muralist. Although Rivera was married, a courtship ensued. They wed in 1929 (he was 42, she was 22) much to the disapproval of Frida's parents who referred to the couple as "the elephant and the dove." With volatile tempers and countless infidelities, the marriage was notoriously tumultuous. The couple divorced in 1939 only to remarry a year later, though the second marriage was just as turbulent as the first. Both have long been recognized as important painters who achieved great international popularity during their lifetimes.
Frida Kahlo first met Diego Rivera when she was an art student hoping to get advice on her career from the famous Mexican muralist. Although Rivera was married, a courtship ensued. They wed in 1929 (he was 42, she was 22) much to the disapproval of Frida's parents who referred to the couple as "the elephant and the dove." With volatile tempers and countless infidelities, the marriage was notoriously tumultuous. The couple divorced in 1939 only to remarry a year later, though the second marriage was just as turbulent as the first. Both have long been recognized as important painters who achieved great international popularity during their lifetimes.
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow (1930-1934)
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were the most famous gangster couple in history, made more so by the 1967 Oscar-winning film Bonnie and Clyde starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. From 1932 to 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, their gang evolved from petty thieves to nationally known bank robbers and murderers. Though a burgeoning yellow press romanticized their exploits, the gang was believed responsible for at least 13 murders, including 2 policemen, as well as several robberies and kidnappings. The spree ended when they were betrayed by a friend and shot dead at a police roadblock in Louisiana on May 23, 1934.
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were the most famous gangster couple in history, made more so by the 1967 Oscar-winning film Bonnie and Clyde starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. From 1932 to 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, their gang evolved from petty thieves to nationally known bank robbers and murderers. Though a burgeoning yellow press romanticized their exploits, the gang was believed responsible for at least 13 murders, including 2 policemen, as well as several robberies and kidnappings. The spree ended when they were betrayed by a friend and shot dead at a police roadblock in Louisiana on May 23, 1934.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (1940-1960)
Model and comedienne Lucille Ball met Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940 while filming Too Many Girls. They fell for one another instantly and eloped later that year. In 1951, they debuted the hit television series I Love Lucy starring as the zany middle-class couple Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. With near perfect timing and a genius for ad-libbing, the red-haired Ball cruised through 179 episodes. The duo also founded Desilu Productions in 1950, a successful independent producer of television shows. Ball and Arnaz divorced in 1960, ending one of television’s greatest marriages, though they remained friends until his death in 1986.
Model and comedienne Lucille Ball met Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940 while filming Too Many Girls. They fell for one another instantly and eloped later that year. In 1951, they debuted the hit television series I Love Lucy starring as the zany middle-class couple Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. With near perfect timing and a genius for ad-libbing, the red-haired Ball cruised through 179 episodes. The duo also founded Desilu Productions in 1950, a successful independent producer of television shows. Ball and Arnaz divorced in 1960, ending one of television’s greatest marriages, though they remained friends until his death in 1986.
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (1943-1957)
Humphrey Bogart met Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not in 1943. At the time, Bacall was 19 years old and living with her mother and Bogart was 44 and married to actress Mayo Methot. The couple wed in 1945, had two children and remained together until his death from cancer in 1957. Of Bogart's four marriages, it is said that the only one to bring him any happiness was the one to Bacall, whom he called "Baby" both in private and in public. Founding members of Las Vegas's famous Rat Pack in 1955, Bogey and Bacall's most memorable films include The Big Sleep, Dark Passage and Key Largo.
Humphrey Bogart met Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not in 1943. At the time, Bacall was 19 years old and living with her mother and Bogart was 44 and married to actress Mayo Methot. The couple wed in 1945, had two children and remained together until his death from cancer in 1957. Of Bogart's four marriages, it is said that the only one to bring him any happiness was the one to Bacall, whom he called "Baby" both in private and in public. Founding members of Las Vegas's famous Rat Pack in 1955, Bogey and Bacall's most memorable films include The Big Sleep, Dark Passage and Key Largo.
Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly (1955-1982)
Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier III in April 1955 when she was sent to Monaco as head of the U.S. delegation for the Cannes Film Festival. The Academy Award-winning actress and young prince began a year-long courtship, culminating in a wedding ceremony that was televised to some 30 million people worldwide. Known thereafter as Princess Grace of Monaco, Kelly gave up her acting career and Prince Rainier banned the screening of her films in Monaco. They had three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert II and Princess Stephanie. Princess Grace died tragically in an automobile accident on September 13, 1982, while driving with her daughter Stephanie from their country home. She was 52.
Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier III in April 1955 when she was sent to Monaco as head of the U.S. delegation for the Cannes Film Festival. The Academy Award-winning actress and young prince began a year-long courtship, culminating in a wedding ceremony that was televised to some 30 million people worldwide. Known thereafter as Princess Grace of Monaco, Kelly gave up her acting career and Prince Rainier banned the screening of her films in Monaco. They had three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert II and Princess Stephanie. Princess Grace died tragically in an automobile accident on September 13, 1982, while driving with her daughter Stephanie from their country home. She was 52.
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (1958-present)
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward met as aspiring actors in 1953 while working on Broadway in Picnic. Newman was married at the time to Jackie Witte with whom he had three children. Newman and Woodward married in 1958 and settled away from the hubbub of Hollywood in Westport, Connecticut, where they raised three daughters and helped found the Westport Country Playhouse. Woodward has received numerous major acting awards and Newman has won eight Academy Award nominations and two Oscars, yet the couple remains extremely private. Newman oversees Newman's Own food company, whose proceeds (in excess of $220 million as of May 2007) support various charities, including his Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for seriously ill children.
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward met as aspiring actors in 1953 while working on Broadway in Picnic. Newman was married at the time to Jackie Witte with whom he had three children. Newman and Woodward married in 1958 and settled away from the hubbub of Hollywood in Westport, Connecticut, where they raised three daughters and helped found the Westport Country Playhouse. Woodward has received numerous major acting awards and Newman has won eight Academy Award nominations and two Oscars, yet the couple remains extremely private. Newman oversees Newman's Own food company, whose proceeds (in excess of $220 million as of May 2007) support various charities, including his Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for seriously ill children.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono (1968-1980)
Yoko Ono met John Lennon in 1966 during a preview of Ono’s art exhibition at a London gallery. They began an affair a year later and, after Cynthia Lennon filed for divorce, married in 1969. In addition to collaborating on numerous recordings, including Two Virgins and "Give Peace a Chance," the couple held "Bed-ins for Peace" to protest the Vietnam War. After the Beatles' breakup, they moved to New York, where their son, Sean Ono Lennon, was born in 1975. Lennon was shot and killed outside their apartment building on December 8, 1980. In his memory, Ono founded the Strawberry Fields Memorial in Central Park, the John Lennon Museum in her hometown of Saitama, Japan, and the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Yoko Ono met John Lennon in 1966 during a preview of Ono’s art exhibition at a London gallery. They began an affair a year later and, after Cynthia Lennon filed for divorce, married in 1969. In addition to collaborating on numerous recordings, including Two Virgins and "Give Peace a Chance," the couple held "Bed-ins for Peace" to protest the Vietnam War. After the Beatles' breakup, they moved to New York, where their son, Sean Ono Lennon, was born in 1975. Lennon was shot and killed outside their apartment building on December 8, 1980. In his memory, Ono founded the Strawberry Fields Memorial in Central Park, the John Lennon Museum in her hometown of Saitama, Japan, and the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith (1995-present)
Will Smith met Jada Pinkett in 1995 when she auditioned for the role of his girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She was considered too short for the part, but a real-life romance ensued. The couple wed in 1997 in a secret New Year's Eve ceremony at Baltimore's Cloisters Mansion. Will was 29 and Jada was 26. In addition to their entertainment careers, they founded the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation to benefit inner-city community development, youth educational projects and underprivileged children and their families. The Smiths lives on a 100-acre ranch near Malibu, California, with their three children (one from Smith's previous marriage) and four rottweilers.
Will Smith met Jada Pinkett in 1995 when she auditioned for the role of his girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She was considered too short for the part, but a real-life romance ensued. The couple wed in 1997 in a secret New Year's Eve ceremony at Baltimore's Cloisters Mansion. Will was 29 and Jada was 26. In addition to their entertainment careers, they founded the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation to benefit inner-city community development, youth educational projects and underprivileged children and their families. The Smiths lives on a 100-acre ranch near Malibu, California, with their three children (one from Smith's previous marriage) and four rottweilers.
