Catherine and Potemkin: The Empress's Favourite

She was slandered as the “Northern Messalina” and “a slut on the throne.” Legends were told about her “sweet-tooth” and insatiability. Historians still argue about how many lovers Catherine the Great had—dozens or hundreds? But only one of her favorites she truly loved all her life; even after separation, she only secretly married him—only he was worthy of her passion and became the “night emperor” of Russia: Grigory Potemkin. How did the son of a peasant overcome the heart of the Empress? What did he manage to do—not only to win her, but also to keep this great woman? With legendary male strength? But she never lacked “knights” in the Guards. With a sharp mind, furious energy, and talent for statecraft? Perhaps because he never asked for anything—she gave everything herself—and he faithfully kept the secret of their marriage? Or because he was ready to accept her as she was? (They say that even when their passion faded, Potemkin continued to be the master of the imperial bedroom, personally selecting young lovers for Catherine—so they were beautiful, healthy, moderately smart, not daring, and not rushing for power...) Don’t judge this couple too harshly—they weren’t ordinary mortals and lived in a completely different era, when romantic amusements often determined politics, the Empress’s private life was a matter of state importance, and her secret husband was one of the largest statesmen of the century.

A NEW BOOK by the bestseller author of “Catherine the Great’s First Passion” and “Catherine the Great’s Last Love” closes the subject in practice, becoming the climax of the trilogy about the unforgettable Catherine era—rightfully called the “Golden Age” of the Russian Empire—about grand achievements, heartfelt secrets, and love mysteries of the legendary Empress.

Earlier the book was published under the title “Catherine and Potemkin. The Secret Marriage of the Empress.”