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Desiree ClaryWife of the King of Sweden and Norway Carl XIV Johan
Date of Birth: 08.11.1777
Country:  Sweden |
Content:
- Family Ancestry
- Birth and Family Ties
- Education and Early Life
- Engagement to Napoleon Bonaparte
- Marriage to Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
- Life in Sweden
- Queen of Sweden
- Legacy
Family Ancestry
Désirée Clary's paternal ancestor, Joseph Clary, was born in 1693 and married Françoise-Agnès Amory in 1724. Her maternal grandfather, Joseph Somi, was born in 1710 and married Cathérine Rose Soucheiron in 1736.
Birth and Family Ties
Désirée Clary was born in Marseille, France on November 8, 1777, as the daughter of François Clary and Françoise Rose Somis. Her brother, Nicolas Joseph Clary, later became Count Clary, while her sister, Julie Clary, married Joseph Bonaparte and became Queen of Naples and Spain.
Education and Early Life
Désirée received a typical education for girls in pre-revolutionary France, studying at a convent school run by nuns. However, when the French Revolution began in 1789, she was taken home by her parents. As a young woman, she held strong republican beliefs.
Engagement to Napoleon Bonaparte
In 1794, Désirée's father passed away and her brother was arrested by the revolutionary government. It was during this time that she met Joseph Bonaparte, who introduced her to his brother, Napoleon. Napoleon proposed to Désirée, but after his marriage to Joséphine, she eventually married General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte in 1798.
Marriage to Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
On August 16/17, 1798, Désirée Clary married General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. In 1799, they had a son named Oscar, who later became King Oscar I of Sweden.
Life in Sweden
When Bernadotte became Crown Prince of Sweden in 1810, Désirée lived in the country for a brief period. However, she returned to Paris in 1811 due to her dislike of Sweden, remaining there until 1823 while her husband stayed in Stockholm.
Queen of Sweden
On August 21, 1829, Désirée was officially crowned Queen of Sweden in Stockholm. She was buried in the Church of Riddarholmen alongside her husband.
Legacy
In 1951, Austrian writer Anna-Maria Selinko published "Désirée," a novel based on Désirée Clary's life and fate.
