Famous Couples

Love is the most beautiful feeling that cannot be explained, only felt; an expression that cannot be defined, only expressed; love is life, love is beauty, love is joy. Love story of Romeo and Juliet has inspired lovers all over the world. Similarly, take a look at the stories of these couples whose love for each other continue to inspire people.

There are a few rare and timeless love stories in history. The following are brief love tales of the most popular couples throughout history and today.

The love story of Cleopatra and Mark Antony is hardly unknown to anyone. He, a brave Roman general and she, the most beautiful woman in the world and Queen of Egypt, were in love against all odds. Their love was doomed from the beginning and ended with both of them committing suicide.

Interestingly, the lead characters in the movie Cleopatra (1963) were played by Elizabeth Taylor (as Cleopatra) and Richard Burton (as Mark Antony), who at that time, was the most famous couple in the world.

Although the Emperor's and his Queen's name may not be included in many famous couples' list, the symbolic Taj Mahal, speaks volumes of their love. Emperor Shah Jahan built this beautiful monument as a symbol of his love for his beloved wife after her death and also named it Taj Mahal, after her.

The love of Napoleon for his Queen Josephine is expressed in thousands of letters he wrote to her while on war campaigns. Although they had their share of affairs, separation, his remarriage, their love for each other never wavered. The famous last words of Napoleon were, "France, armée, tête d'armée, Joséphine." (France, army, head of the army, Joséphine)

These distant cousins were, at that time, one of the most influential couples when Franklin Roosevelt was elected the 32nd President of the United States and she was the president and chair of numerous committees for Human Rights. They had their share of turbulent times, both prior to marriage and later, but, remained married until FDR's death.

King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom (later the Duke of Windsor) accepted the opposition of his ministers, his family, the nation, and his subjects as he let go of his throne to marry his beloved and twice divorcee Wallis Simpson.

A union, which was once one of the most scandalous affairs, turned out to be a long and everlasting love story when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor spent 35 years of married life together.

Maria Sklodowska-Curie and Pierre Curie are the world's first couple to win the Nobel prize for the discovery of radium and polonium. These intelligent Nobel laureates mixed personal love with professional life and achieved remarkable success together. Their daughter Irene and son-in-law Jean Frédéric Joliot-Curie were also awarded the Nobel Prize.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are perhaps one of the longest married celebrity couples today. They married in 1947 when she was Princess Elizabeth, the heiress presumptive to the British throne, and he was Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2007.

Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary are considered as America's most powerful and influential couple. The US secretary of state and the former president have faced turbulent times in the relationship (with the President's affair and impeachment) and are still going steadily together.

It was a headline when the soccer star David Beckham wed Spice Girls' Posh, Victoria Adams, in 1999. A decade later, even today, they are the most famous and 'it' couple. They endorse brands of millions of dollars, have their successful individual ventures, and raise 3 sons together.

Considered as one of the most popular and glamorous couples today, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been together for the past 5 years. 'Brangelina', as they are termed by the paparazzi, have adopted several kids and along with their own, raise 6 kids together.

Will Smith once famously said, 'We (he and Jada) were together for two years before she even laughed at something I said!' The couple are married for more than 10 years now and interestingly, Will attributes the success of their long-lasting marriage to the concept of open marriage.

Apart from the earlier mentioned ones, there were several famous people who are/were together for a lifetime for love. Here is a list.

• Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
• Jacqueline and John Kennedy
• Yoko Ono and John Lennon
• Mastani and Bajirao
• Nancy and Ronald Reagan
• Clementine and Winston Churchill

• Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier
• Mary and Abraham Lincoln
• Nefertiti and Amenhotep IV
• Gracie Allen and George Burns
• Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince Charles

This is only a short list. It will continue to grow as long as mankind survives and we nurture love in our hearts. As it is, love is eternal! Ciao!