Eugénie de Montijo
The last Empress of France, she wielded political power as regent, championed fashion and medicine, and lived a dramatic life of exile.
1826–1920 (age 94)·Empress of the French from 1853 to 1870·Birthday: May 5
Biography
Eugénie de Montijo's life was a grand 19th-century novel of ascent, power, and long twilight. A Spanish countess of striking beauty and sharp intellect, she captured the heart of Napoleon III and became the embodiment of the Second Empire's glamour. As Empress, she was far more than a decorative figure; she was a dedicated patron of the arts and sciences, supporting the Suez Canal project and advocating for nursing reforms. Her political mettle was proven in 1870 when Napoleon left for the front, naming her Regent. For two months, she presided over cabinet meetings and made critical state decisions as the Franco-Prussian War crumbled around her. Forced into exile after the empire's fall, she lived for another half-century, a dignified widow who witnessed the world transform, her Parisian legacy cemented in institutions like the hospital that bears her name.
#1 When Eugénie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1826
Eugénie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1826Born
1831Started school
1839Became a teenager
1842Could drive
1844Could vote
1847Turned 21
1856Turned 30
1866Turned 40
President: Andrew Johnson
1876Turned 50
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1886Turned 60
Statue of Liberty dedicated in New York Harbor
President: Grover Cleveland
1896Turned 70
First modern Olympic Games held in Athens
President: Grover Cleveland
1906Turned 80
San Francisco earthquake devastates the city
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1920Died at 94
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
Key Achievements
- Served as de facto head of state (Regent) of France during the critical months of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.
- Was a crucial patron and supporter of Ferdinand de Lesseps' Suez Canal project.
- Used her influence to promote modern nursing practices and founded medical institutions.
- Defined the lavish fashion and court style of France's Second Empire, influencing European trends.
Did You Know?
She was a direct descendant of the Scottish Duke of Berwick through her mother's line.
The Eugénie hat, a small, elegant style, was named for her.
After the fall of the empire, she lived in exile at Farnborough Hill in England, where she built a mausoleum.
She was a skilled horsewoman and enjoyed outdoor activities like hunting.
“I am a Spaniard, a Catholic, and a Bourbon, in that order.”
