Catherine Dolgorukova was urged by her family to become the Tsar’s mistress—but she got a lot more than she bargained for.


Urged to become the new mistress of Tsar Alexander II, Catherine Dolgorukova got a lot more than she signed up for when they ultimately tied the knot, especially considering their significant age gap. Although she was completely devoted to him, every day that she spent with his family was a nightmare, and they never stopped harassing her—even long after she had cut ties with them.