Catherine II of Russia

Catherine II (21 April 1729 — 6 November 1796) (Russian: Екатерина II, romanized: Yekaterina II) was a German-born empress of Russia who ruled from 1762-1796.^[1] She was born Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, but is most commonly known as Catherine the Great (Russian: Екатерина Великая, romanized: Yekaterina Velikaya).^[1]

Catherine came to power after overthrowing her husband, Peter III, in a military coup.^[2] During her 34-year-reign, Russia experienced a renaissance of culture and sciences, and Russia was recognized as one of the great powers of Europe. She was one of Russia's greatest monarchs.^[3]

Catherine was born in Stettin, which was a part of the Kingdom of Prussia at the time. Her parents were Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst and Princess Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. Catherine had five brothers and sisters.

She married her cousin Peter III (who, like Catherine, was German) at age fifteen. At age 32, she became empress of Russia.

Catherine was educated in three languages (Russian, German and French). She grew up as a Lutheran (Protestant). When she married Peter, she changed to the Russian Orthodox church.

Catherine's marriage was said to be unfaithful and unhappy. Peter and Catherine were each rumored to have several lovers.

After they had been married for nine years, Catherine bore a son, Paul, on 1 October [O.S. 20 September] 1754. Both parents accepted him as legitimate, even though there had been rumors about Catherine having been unfaithful. Catherine also had a daughter, Anna, born in 1757. Anna died in 1759.

Catherine and Peter had a very difficult relationship. When Peter died, Catherine was left to rule Russia on her own.

Catherine had many lovers. Historians know the names of twenty lovers, including:

• Count Serge Saltykov, Catherine's first lover, and probably Paul's father
• Count Stanisław August Poniatowski, who was made king of Poland because of Catherine's help
• Count Grigory Orlov, one of the leading figures of the coup against Peter III, and his brother Alexey Grigoryevich Orlov. They gave Catherine the Orlov diamond as a gift. This diamond was later put into the Russian sceptre.
• Prince Grigory Potyomkin, who was very successful in the military forces. He started the Black Sea Fleet, founded cities such as Sevastopol or Kherson. He is said to have been Catherine's true love. The two are said to even have married in secret.
• Count Platon Zubov, her last love. When she died, aged 67, he was not even 40 years old.

Six months after Peter took the throne, Catherine led a palace coup to overthrow him.^[2] The question of who killed Peter and why is still much discussed.

Catherine was greatly admired by the public.^[2] She was very involved in foreign affairs, including the successful Russo-Turkish War, which conquered new territories for Russia.

During her 34-year reign, Russia experienced a renaissance of culture and sciences. According to one source:^[3]

Her reign is often characterised as the [peak] of the Russian Enlightenment, a period in which Russia adopted Enlightenment ideals while maintaining its autocratic governance.

During this renaissance, many new cities, universities, and theatres were founded. There was large-scale immigration from the rest of Europe, and Russia was recognized as one of the great powers of Europe.

Catherine was one of Russia's most significant monarchs. One source states she "reshaped not only [her] country but the whole of Europe."^[3]

Catherine suffered a stroke on 16 November [O.S. 5 November] 1796 and lost consciousness. She never woke up and died in her bed at 9:20 the following evening.

Catherine was buried at the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Catherine the Great | Biography, Facts, Children, & Accomplishments | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2025-07-31. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Zarevich, E.R. (2022-09-16). "The Military Coup That Put Catherine the Great on the Throne". Explore the Archive. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Carruthers, Amelia (2024-11-06). "Peter and Catherine the Great: Russia's Transformative Monarchs". AC Studies. Retrieved 2025-09-16.