Elizabeth Patterson of Baltimore marries Napoleon Bonaparte’s youngest brother

December 24, 1803

Categories: Culture, Women
Tags: 1776 – 1816, Baltimore City

Rich socialite Elizabeth Patterson (1785-1879), born and raised in Baltimore in a wealthy family, marries Jerome Bonaparte (1784-1860), Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s youngest brother in Baltimore. After sailing to Europe, Elizabeth is not allowed to land with Jerome in France and goes to London where she gives birth to a son.

Madam Bonaparte never remarries and returns to Europe several times, unsuccessfully trying to take advantage of her marriage to the Bonaparte family. Although in dispute with her own family, she moves back to Baltimore and proceeds to personally invest in real estate. She ends a long life as America’s first female millionaire.

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