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She was a great-graundaughter to Claude de Beauharnais ( 1680 - 1738) and Renee Hardouineau ( 1696 - 1744) who were married in La Rochelle during 1713. Their oldest son was François de Beauharnais , Marquess de la Ferte-Beauharnais ( 1714 - 1800) who served as a governor of Martinique. Their younger son was Claude de Beauharnais, 1st Count des Roches-Baritaud ( 1717Events January 4 — The Netherlands, Britain & France sign Triple Alliance March 2 — Dancer John Weaver performs in the first ballet in Britain shown in Drury Lane The Loves of Mars and Venus March 31 Bishop Benjamin Hoadly, acting on the advice of King Ge - 1784Events January 6 the Turks agree to Russia's annexation of the Crimea in the Treaty of Constantinople January 14 The U. Congress ratifies the Treaty of Paris with England to end the American Revolutionary War February 27 Count of St Germain dies of pneumo).
Claude was married in 1753Events January 1 Britain and its colonies adopt the idea that 1st January should be New Year's Day, following adoption of the Gregorian calendar in September 1752. The concept was first conceived in 1582, but suffered from slow public adoption. April 5 Fo to Marie Anne Françoise Mouchard ( 1738 - 18131813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). Events March 17 Through a newspaper, the Prussian king Frederick William III of Prussia calls for resistance against the Napoleonic occupation April 27 War of 1812: Battle of York). Their oldest son was Claude de Beauharnais, 2nd Count des Roches-Baritaud ( 1756Events March 17 St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in New York City for the first time (at the Crown and Thistle Tavern). May 15 Seven Years' War: The war begins when England declares war on France. August 29 Frederick the Great attacks Saxony October 1 Seve - 1819Events January 17 Simon Bolivar proclaims the Republic of Colombia January 29 Sir Stamford Raffles lands on the island of Singapore February 6 Formal treaty between Sultan Hussein of Johor and the British Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles originates Singapore F). In 1783Events February 3 American Revolutionary War: Spain recognizes United States independence. February 4 American Revolutionary War: Great Britain formally declares that it will cease hostilities with the United States of America. May 18 Saint John, New Brun the 2nd Count married Claude Françoise de Lezay ( 1767Events The Burmese invasion reaches the Thai capital of Ayutthaya, razing it. North Carolina woodsman Daniel Boone goes through the Cumberland Gap and reaches Kentucky in defiance of a decree from King George III. He discovers a rich hunting ground, conte - 1791). The marriage resulted in the birth of first her older brother Alberic de Beauharnais ( 1786 - 1791) and then Stephanie herself. Her father was remarried in 1799 to Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis ( 1775 - 1850). The second marriage resulted in the birth of her half-sister Joséphine de Beauharnais, Marchioness de Quiqueran-Beaujeu ( 1803 - 1870).
The fates of her family however would be defined by another Joséphine. On December 13, 1773 Alexandre, Vicomte de Beauharnais, first cousin of her father, was married to Joséphine Tascher de la Pagerie. On July 23, 1794, Alexandre was guillotined. Joséphine had affairs with several influential figures of the French Directory, including Paul François Jean Nicolas Barras. The later would introduce her to his recent favorite Napoléon Bonaparte. Napoléon soon started courting her. On March 9, 1796 they were married.
General Napoléon was now stepfather to Eugène de Beauharnais and Hortense de Beauharnais, second cousins of Stephanie. As his prominence and wealth continued to rise , Napoléon found himself being de facto patron to both the Bonaparte and the de Beauharnais families. Stephanie would soon see her patron rise to become First Consul of France.Her "uncle" crowned himself Emperor of France on December 2, 1804. As a prominent member of the new Imperial Family, Stephanie held residence in the Tuileries Palace. Her new status allowed her to live a rather luxurious life. She would soon however have to depart both the Palace and France.
This was a consequence of her "uncle"'s effort to secure an alliance with the Prince-elector of Baden. The alliance was to be secured through a marriage between the descedants of the two sovereigns, connecting the two Dynasties. The Prince-Elector was to be represented by his grandson. Napoleon on the other hand lacked legitimate descedants of his own. He addopted Stephanie and named her "Princesse Française" ( Princess of France). The marriage took place in Paris on April 8, 1806. On July 25, 1806 her new grandfather-in-law was named Karl Friedrich, Grand Duke of Baden . He would serve as head to the Confederation of the Rhine.
By most accounts the arrainged marriage was not particularly successful. Her husband was determined to continue living as a bachelor. He set residence in Karlsruhe. She was allowed to settle separately in Mannheim. Even the official complaints by the Emperor of France did not resolve this situation. The Grand Duke offered Schwetzingen to be their common Summer residence. But only Stephanie accepted the offer. The situation changed somewhat when it became evident that the aging Grand Duke would not live much longer. The couple apparently reconciled in an effort to produce heirs for the throne.
On June 10, 1811, Karl Ludwig Friedrich, Grand Duke of Baden succeeded his grandfather. He and Grand Duchess Stephanie would have five children:
The Grand Duke died on December 8, 1818. Stephanie remained a widow for the rest of her life. She was reportedly a devoted mother to her three daughters. Her residence in Mannheim became a popular Salon for artists and intellectuals. Stephanie died in Nice at the age of 71.