The family tree of Napoleon Bonaparte, one of history’s most influential military and political leaders, reveals a network of powerful European alliances, royal marriages, and dynastic connections that shaped 19th-century Europe. The chart highlights both Napoleon’s immediate relatives and the broader Bonaparte connections through marriage, inheritance, and political strategy.
Napoleon’s Parents and Origins
At the top of the family tree stand:
- Carlo Buonaparte
- Letizia Ramolino
They were members of Corsican nobility and parents to Napoleon and his ambitious siblings. Their lineage marks the foundation of the Bonaparte dynasty, which would soon dominate European politics.
Napoleon’s Siblings and Dynastic Alliances
Napoleon’s rise to power opened doors for his brothers and sisters, many of whom received prestigious titles and political offices.
Jérôme Bonaparte – King of Westphalia
One of Napoleon’s closest allies, Jérôme was placed on the throne of Westphalia. He married Josephine de Beauharnais, further strengthening the Bonaparte political web.
Lucien Bonaparte
A key political figure during the early years of Napoleon’s rule, Lucien remained influential though he did not accept a crown.
Pierre Napoléon Bonaparte
Part of the extended Bonaparte line, Pierre played political roles but did not attain royal status.
Roland Bonaparte and Marie Bonaparte
Representatives of later generations, they continued the Bonaparte legacy into the 19th and 20th centuries.
Marie Bonaparte’s marriage linked the family to the Greek and Danish royal houses.
Through her came a connection to Prince George of Greece and Denmark, showing how the Bonaparte bloodline blended with other European dynasties.
Napoleon Bonaparte – Emperor of the French
At the center of the chart is:
Napoleon I (1769–1821)
- Emperor of the French
- Founder of the First French Empire
- Architect of sweeping European reforms in law, administration, and government
- One of history’s greatest military strategists
Napoleon’s political and military achievements transformed Europe and made his family name synonymous with power.
Napoleon’s Wives and Royal Connections
Josephine de Beauharnais
Napoleon’s first wife and Empress of the French, though the marriage eventually ended in divorce due to lack of an heir.
Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma
Daughter of Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, her marriage to Napoleon symbolized a critical political alliance between France and Austria.
Her father, Francis II, was one of the last great rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and a major figure in European politics.
Napoleon II – The Hope of the Dynasty
Napoleon’s only legitimate son, Napoleon II, appears beneath him in the chart.
- Born from Napoleon’s marriage to Marie Louise
- Known as the King of Rome
- Lived most of his life in Vienna after the fall of Napoleon
- Though he never ruled France, he carried the title Emperor in the Bonapartist tradition
He represents the unfulfilled hope of a long-lasting Bonaparte-led empire.
The Italian and Württemberg Connections
The chart also highlights marriages that connected the Bonapartes to other royal houses:
Victor Emmanuel II of Italy
Connected through Princess Maria Clotilde of Savoy and further to the Bonaparte descendants.
Victor Emmanuel later became the first King of a unified Italy.
Frederick I and Catharina of Württemberg
These ties show how Napoleon strategically allied with German royalty to fortify his influence across Europe.
Legacy of the Bonaparte Dynasty
The Bonaparte family tree demonstrates Napoleon’s unprecedented ability to carve a dynasty from military success and diplomacy. Through crowns, marriages, and strategic alliances, Napoleon placed his relatives across the continent—reshaping Europe’s political landscape.
Although the empire eventually collapsed, the Bonaparte legacy lived on through marriages into Greek, Danish, Italian, Austrian, and Westphalian royal lines.
The chart ultimately reflects not just a family but a vast political network created by one of history’s most ambitious leaders.
