Napoleon’s Romance & Age Gap Controversies Go Far Beyond Vanessa Kirby’s Character

In Napoleon, the unconventional nature of Napoleon’s marriage with Empress Joséphine is a key focus, but their relationship is not quite as controversial as another one of Napoleon’s romances. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte, this historical drama chronicles the emperor of France’s rise to power through various battles and major historical events. The film also focuses heavily on Napoleon’s relationship with Joséphine (Vanessa Kirby), his first wife. In real life, Napoleon met Joséphine in 1795, when she still went by Rose. He proposed to her in January 1796, and they married two months later, on March 9, 1796 (via Napoleon.org).