Betsy Balcombe
1802–1871 (age 69)
Biography
Betsy Balcombe (1802-1871) was an aristocrat whose life was marked by the unusual friendship she formed with Napoleon during his exile on Saint Helena. As a young visitor who welcomed the former emperor into her family’s circle, she provided companionship and humanity during his final years.
Her recollections and writings preserved a gentle, personal portrait of Napoleon, reflecting both warmth and historical sensitivity, and ensured that her unique perspective endured.