It is not unusual for a film to stir up mixed emotions and rekindle historical debates. This is the case of Napoleon, the latest work from acclaimed director Ridley Scott, known for his ability to portray power struggles in films such as The House of Gucci and Gladiator. Scott's reunion with Joaquin Phoenix, who plays the iconic military leader and French emperor, has generated great expectations among the public, but the critics are not being too good.
Beyond the big screen, the film has sparked interest in the current Bonaparte dynasty. Although France no longer has monarchs, the descendants of this historic dynasty still live on.
Among all the members of this family, Jean-Christophe Napoléon Bonaparte, 37, stands out as the current leader of the French Imperial house. The great-great-great-nephew of Napoleon I, his lineage can be traced back to Jerome Bonaparte, the emperor's younger brother and king of Westphalia, positioning him as the legitimate heir to one of the most influential families in Europe.
As Tatler has reported, Jean-Christophe assumed command of the Imperial House of France at the young age of 11, following the death of his grandfather Louis, Prince Napoleon. Despite the great controversy generated by his grandfather's decision to remove his son Charles Napoleon from the line of succession due to his divorce and subsequent wedding, an article published in The Independent in 1997 and a book published in 1999 suggest that there is no conflict between father and son regarding the succession of the title.
Born in idyllic Saint-Raphaëla, on the French Riviera, Jean-Christophe is not only distinguished by his lineage, but also by his academic and professional achievements. Educated in France and graduated from Harvard Business School, he has worked at major financial firms such as Morgan Stanley, Advent International and The Blackstone Group. In 2022 he co-founded Leon Capital, which marked his entry into the venture capital sector.
As for his personal life, in 2019, Jean-Christophe married Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinnerberg, also a descendant of European royalty and related to Napoleon through the emperor's second wife. The wedding, held in the Saint-Louis des Invalides cathedral in Paris, was a dream event, with high-class guests and a grand ball at the Fontainebleau castle.
The legacy of the House of Bonaparte will live on after the birth of Louis Charles Riprand Victor Jérôme Marie Napoléon, son of Jean-Christophe and Olympia, in December 2022.
