The formidable Russian empress — who reigned from 1762 to 1796 after overthrowing her own husband, Peter III — understood ...
In 1745, after being received into the Russian Orthodox Church, and changing her name to Catherine, she married Grand Duke Peter, grandson of Peter the Great and heir to the Russian throne.
As her photos circulated online, some eagle-eyed fans expressed concern. Observers commented that Catherine appeared "so sad," while another noted she looked "so stressed." Given her cancer ...