Anne of Cleves Got the Last Laugh
Back in the days before photography, it was common for royals to base their marriage decisions on a single portrait of somebody. King Henry VIII did just that with his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. After his third wife passed away during childbirth, Henry was searching for his next partner and chose Anne based on a flattering portrait. When they met in person for the first time, however, sparks failed to fly.
Henry did not find Anne attractive, and he rudely made no secret of it. He called her a “Flanders mare” and was repulsed by her alleged body odor. The marriage was supposedly never consummated, so it was quickly annulled to Henry’s relief. Because Anne didn’t make a fuss about the annulment, they remained on good terms. Anne outlived all of Henry’s other wives, as well as Henry himself, and overall enjoyed a comfortable life.