Introduction
The court of Catherine the Great was a hotbed of scandal, where the Empress‘s love life was the subject of endless gossip and political maneuvering. As one of the most powerful women of the 18th century, Catherine flouted social norms by openly taking a string of lovers after overthrowing her husband with the help of her favorites. Her relationships were a source of fascination and outrage both in Russia and abroad.
Throughout her 34-year reign, Catherine had at least 12 romantic relationships with nobles who gained her favor [1]. These men were rewarded with official posts, immense wealth, and influence over court politics and foreign affairs. In total, Catherine granted over 1000 estates totaling more than 1 million acres to her lovers [2].
While Catherine was criticized for her "immoral" behavior as a woman, she skillfully wielded her sexuality as a political tool to ensure loyalty and exercise authority over her inner circle. She made kings out of ex-lovers and put her favorites in charge of government agencies. Here‘s a closer look at the men who shared the Empress‘s bed and helped shape the destiny of Russia:
Grigory Orlov, the Kingmaker
One of Catherine‘s earliest and most influential lovers was Grigory Orlov, the dashing military officer who led the coup to depose her inadequate husband Peter III in 1762. With Orlov‘s help, Catherine seized the throne, keeping her lover by her side as a trusted advisor [3].
As a reward for his loyalty (both political and carnal), Catherine appointed Orlov as Adjutant General, Director of Fortifications, head of the artillery, and effectively her co-ruler. She considered marrying him and even had a secret church built for a potential wedding before being dissuaded by her advisors from marrying a subject [3].
Though a brave fighter, the coarse and quick-tempered Orlov had trouble adapting to his new status as Catherine‘s favorite. He flaunted affairs with other women at court until the Empress‘s eye began to wander. Jealous and spiteful, Orlov undermined potential rivals before retiring with a hefty pension and the lofty title of Prince of the Holy Roman Empire [1].
Grigory Potemkin, the Imperial Partner
The man who succeeded Orlov as Catherine‘s lover and most trusted confidante was another Grigory – the brilliant military leader Grigory Potemkin. After distinguishing himself in the coup against Peter III, the dashing war hero began a romance with Catherine in 1774 that would last 17 years and define her reign [4].
Potemkin was not only a passionate lover but a savvy statesman who earned a slew of titles, including governor-general of southern Russia, commander-in-chief of the army, and grand admiral of the Black Sea fleet. Together, Catherine and Potemkin dreamed of expanding the Russian Empire southward and liberating the Balkans and Constantinople from Turkish rule [4].
As a token of her affection, Catherine gifted Potemkin vast estates in newly conquered lands in Crimea. To impress her during a tour of the region, he allegedly constructed elaborate "Potemkin villages" – fake settlements meant to give the illusion of prosperity [3]. Though their sexual relationship cooled, Potemkin remained a vital advisor and rumored secret husband of the Empress until his death.
The Parade of Boy Toys
In her later years, the aging Catherine developed a reputation for taking much younger lovers – a subject of derisive gossip in the courts of Europe. The most notorious was the strikingly handsome Platon Zubov, who was just 22 when he became the 60-year-old Empress‘s official favorite in 1789. Their 38-year age gap was a cause for scandal [1].
Though 40 years her junior, the ambitious Zubov gained an unprecedented level of influence over state affairs as Catherine‘s lover. He persuaded her to expand his power and brazenly used his status to interfere in foreign policy [2]. After Catherine‘s death, her resentful son Paul promptly stripped Zubov of his position and exiled him from court.
Gossip, Scandal and Double Standards
As an empress, Catherine was expected to be a virtuous example of womanhood. Instead, she unapologetically pursued sexual relationships to satisfy her own desires and secure political loyalty. Her unorthodox love life was endlessly dissected in the gossip mills of Europe‘s royal courts.
Nasty rumors spread that Catherine had an insatiable appetite for sex, with the bawdy (and false) tale that she died while attempting intercourse with a stallion. Critics called her a "nymphomaniac" and "maneater" for the same behavior tolerated in male kings [5].
Catherine was constantly belittled for her active sex life, yet her lovers eagerly sought power and prestige through their association with her. They benefited tremendously in wealth and status from her favor, while often cheating on her and undermining her reputation.
The Politics of an Empress‘s Pillow Talk
Despite the backlash she faced, Catherine cleverly used her love affairs as a political tool to reward allies and keep her court in check. As a female ruler in a male-dominated world, she asserted her independence in her personal relationships.
Like Elizabeth I of England, Catherine understood that her marital status had implications for her power as a sovereign. By strategically taking lovers rather than a husband, she avoided handing over authority to any man [6].
Catherine‘s romances allowed her to elevate a new class of nobles who owed their status to her alone. Her lovers became dependent on her good graces, making them more loyal and compliant than established aristocrats. Through pillow talk, she could manipulate their ambitions and keep tabs on court intrigue [2].
The Not-So-Virtuous Great
In the end, Catherine‘s tumultuous love life had a major impact on her reign and how she is remembered today. The men who shared her bed also shaped the fate of nations through the political influence she granted them.
While Catherine is celebrated for her role in modernizing Russia and expanding its territory, history has also fixated on her scandalous romances to a greater extent than her accomplishments. The saucy rumors and bedroom antics often overshadow her significant military victories and cultural reforms.
As Catherine aged, her penchant for younger lovers like Zubov tarnished her reputation and invited criticism that weakened her credibility as a leader [3]. After a lifetime of doing as she pleased, Catherine paid a price for putting her passions before appearances.
At the same time, Catherine‘s unabashed approach to sex as a source of personal and political power was revolutionary for a female monarch. In an era when women were expected to be chaste and submissive, she made her own rules and unapologetically pursued her desires.
Centuries later, the Great Empress is still a figure of fascination, in part because of the audacious way she took command of her private life. The legends about Catherine‘s love affairs, both real and wildly embellished, are inextricably linked to her historical legacy as one of the most formidable women ever to rule.
