Having multiple marriages is not uncommon throughout history and various cultures. From ancient rulers to modern day celebrities, some individuals have racked up an impressive number of spouses over their lifetimes. But who holds the record for the most marriages by one person?
Why Did People Historically Have Multiple Marriages?
There are a few key reasons why having multiple spouses was accepted or even encouraged in certain societies and for certain individuals:
- Royal marriages were often used to form alliances and unite kingdoms. Rulers would marry multiple times to create ties with powerful families and expand empires.
- Wealthy individuals could afford to support multiple spouses and thus demonstrated their high status.
- Men of high rank were allowed harems of women in some cultures as a display of virility and influence.
- Polygamy ensured male heirs and large families to work the land or continue a dynasty.
- Early death of a spouse, especially in childbirth, necessitated remarriage to provide offspring.
Therefore, the practice was embedded within the traditions of royalty, aristocracy, and the elite. It also served important social and political functions for certain civilizations throughout history.
What Is the Record for the Most Marriages?
Records of the most married person in history vary slightly across sources, but the individual with the most verified marriages is believed to be an Arab ruler named Ismail the Bloodthirsty.
Ismail ruled Morocco from 1672 to 1727 and is said to have married up to 500 women. Though the exact number is difficult to confirm, accounts agree that he had hundreds of wives in his harem.
Some other individuals with an exceptionally high number of marriages include:
- Henry VIII – King of England from 1509 to 1547, had 6 wives
- Elizabeth Taylor – Hollywood actress married 8 times to 7 husbands
- Glynn Wolfe – American who claimed to have the most recorded marriages at 29 times
- Linda Essex – Australian who married 23 times
Here is a table comparing the estimated marriages of some of history’s biggest polygamists:
| Name | Marriages |
|---|---|
| Ismail the Bloodthirsty | Up to 500 |
| Henry VIII | 6 |
| Elizabeth Taylor | 8 |
| Glynn Wolfe | 29 |
| Linda Essex | 23 |
While these men and women racked up numerous marriages, none come close to matching the sheer number attained by Ismail the Bloodthirsty during his 55 year reign.
Why Did Ismail the Bloodthirsty Have So Many Wives?
As ruler of Morocco from 1672 to 1727, Ismail Ibn Sharif formed political alliances and expanded his rule through his many marriages.
Some key reasons Ismail took so many wives include:
- Consolidating power – Marriages sealed pacts with important tribes and factions.
- Showing strength – A large harem displayed virility and influence.
- Supporting concubines – Servile concubines required marriage under Islamic law.
- Seeking heirs – He needed sons to inherit his empire.
- Affording multiple wives – His wealth enabled massive polygamy.
Ismail used marriage as a tool to build his empire and project his potentate. But managing such a large number of wives and concubines was complex even for a sultan.
How Did Ismail Manage His Extensive Harem?
Supporting hundreds of wives and concubines required vast resources and a complex system:
- Palace space – Ismail housed his harem in an elaborate palace called the Dar al-Makhzen.
- Servants – Eunuchs and female servants tended to the women’s needs.
- Rules and order – The harem followed strict protocols and hierarchy.
- Separate homes – Each wife had her own living space within the palace.
- Education – Ismail’s children were educated according to status.
- Extravagant gifts – Gifts of jewelry, clothing and luxuries kept wives satisfied.
By keeping his wives comfortable yet isolated in the palace, Ismail maintained order despite the challenges of overseeing so many marriages and offspring, which numbered in the hundreds.
Why Did Ismail Have the Title “The Bloodthirsty”?
Despite his political acumen and management skills, Ismail was a ruthless leader which earned him the notorious epithet “The Bloodthirsty.” Reasons for his violent reputation include:
- Merciless militarism – Ismail expanded his empire through savage conquest.
- Harsh punishment – Criminals and enemies were dealt death or mutilation.
- Vicious power struggles – He murdered rivals to consolidate his authority.
- Cruelty and intimidation – Public executions and fear were used liberally.
- Persecution of tribes – Tribes refusing allegiance were brutally suppressed.
This brutality contrasted with the opulence and comfort of his immense harem, demonstrating the extremes Ismail indulged in as Moroccan ruler according to most accounts.
Later Rulers with Vast Harems
Ismail the Bloodthirsty’s prolific marriage habits were succeeded by other rulers seeking to demonstrate their influence and virility by amassing immense harems including:
King Mongkut of Siam
Also known as Rama IV, Mongkut ruled Siam (now Thailand) from 1851 to 1868 and had 968 wives and concubines according to some counts.
Muammar Gaddafi of Libya
Libya’s dictator from 1969 to 2011 is said to have married and divorced multiple wives, maintaining a harem of up to 200 at a time catered to by female bodyguards.
Akbar the Great of India
The third Mughal Emperor ruled from 1556 to 1605 and his harem contained over 5,000 women according to chroniclers.
Sultan Ibrahim the Mad of the Ottoman Empire
Also known as “Ibrahim the Mad,” he ruled from 1640 to 1648 and is said to have drowned 280 concubines of his harem in the Bosphorus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the record holder for most marriages is believed to be Ismail the Bloodthirsty, Sultan of Morocco from 1672 to 1727, with an estimated 500 wives. His prolific marriages were an instrument of power and expansion, though managing hundreds of wives and concubines required a complex harem system.
While later rulers maintained vast harems as displays of virility and influence, none could compare to Ismail’s matrimonial excess which allowed him to consolidate control in Morocco through alliances, and project his authority across his realm and beyond.