Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, a prominent member of the Hapsburg dynasty, was heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne before his life was cut short, the catalyst for a chain of events that threw the entire continent into chaos. But even before he altered the course of history, the Archduke’s life had already been more than dramatic enough to make the history books.
Born to the French monarchy, destiny seemed set for the life of Catherine of Valois. Seeing the unfortunate fate of her elder sister, Catherine likely feared what her own fate might be. However, rather than bow down to that pressure, Catherine forged her own path—only to find herself forgotten and disrespected in the end.
We all think we know the Spartans—bare-chested warriors shouting “This is Sparta!” and charging into battle without fear. But how much of that is Hollywood, and how much is history? Behind the legend lies the startling truth—a real society more brutal, bizarre, and complex than most people realize. Let’s pull back the curtain on the true lives of ancient Sparta’s most feared fighters.
Where do you even begin with Henry II of France? From his years as a captive in Spain, to his unlikely rise to the throne, to his sudden and violent end, there was never a dull moment for this infamous ruler. The fact that he was part of one of history's most twisted love triangles didn't hurt matters either! It's high time for Hollywood to make a movie about this truly debaucherous king, but for now, dive into these scandalous facts about Henry II of France.
Famous for her iconic hair styles, lavish soirées, and political activism, Georgiana Cavendish was the toast of the town. But as the high society beauty struggled with her cruel husband, illicit affairs, and gambling addiction, her popularity plummeted. Banished, mistreated, and heartbroken, Georgiana would learn that money and parties can’t buy happiness. Like her tragic descendant Princess Diana, the Duchess of Devonshire led both a charmed and a cursed life.
Cleopatra has become widely known in popular culture as a royal Egyptian seductress, infamous for enticing powerful men to do her political bidding. But a closer look at her life reveals that this impression may be a misogynistic misrepresentation, and that in reality, she was far more cunning and capable in her own right.
He dreamed of the White House—but left behind a curse instead. Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. was the powerful patriarch of America’s most iconic political dynasty, with presidential ambitions of his own. But behind the polished image lurked shady business deals, dangerous political sympathies, and scandalous affairs. In the end, his legacy wasn’t a presidency...it was a chilling trail of tragedy that would haunt the Kennedy name for generations.
A little-known empress from the early to mid-17th century was the Infanta Maria Anna of Spain. Not only was she married to an important leader of the Holy Roman Empire, but she was also a member of the infamous Habsburgs—one of history's most powerful, but twisted, dynasties.
Peter the Great revolutionized Russia—but at a terrible price. He crushed rebellions with a cruelty and bloodlust that Russia hadn't seen since Ivan the Terrible. But nothing could ever stain his legacy more than the worst thing he ever did: He murdered his own son. Brutally. So why are we calling a man like that "great?" It's complicated. Let's find out.
Fame is a powerful privilege to have, but for Charles Lindbergh, it didn't save him from tragedy or controversy. Though he became a celebrity through his aviation accomplishments, his legacy remains riddled with scandal. After all, he took his darkest secret to the grave.
William Randolph Hearst wasn’t just the scion of the Hearst dynasty—he was a king-making media magnate. But his penchant for sensational “yellow” journalism, rivalries with competing newspapers, and scandalous affairs nearly depleted the family fortune.
Princess Stéphanie of Belgium was not the average royal. After a brutal childhood, she married a beast of a husband whose fatalistic mood swings dashed her hopes of becoming Empress. When she finally forged a path of her own, her actions created an irreparable rift in her family and shook the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha down to its foundations.
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