Category: BIOGRAPHY
From a Swiss farm to a palace in Constantinople: the extraordinary life of Elisabeth Tschumi.
From the serene hills of rural Switzerland to the opulent palaces of Constantinople, the life of Elisabeth Tschumi is a tale of destiny, courage, and transformation. Born into a modest peasant family, she would go on to marry Ahmet Tevfik Pasha—the last Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire—and become Lady Afife Okday. Her extraordinary journey bridges two worlds: the pastoral landscapes of Upper Aargau and the political heart of a fading empire on the brink of modernity.
Frederick Bruce Thomas: an extraordinary character’s tribulations
Frederick Thomas blossomed in Moscow. He obtained Russian citizenship, was married three times and had five children. Around 1914, he bought a dacha near Odessa and he also owned buildings in Moscow. Now it was clear for all to see: the African-American immigrant from Mississippi, the son of slaves, had made a fortune in Russia.
Joan of Navarre, Duchess of Brittany & Queen of England
As an ambitious woman, Joan of Navarre chose an alliance with England, despite being Valois from her mother’s side. In 1402, she agreed to marry Henry IV, the first king of the Lancaster dynasty, nicknamed “the usurper” by his detractors.