During the revolution she was married to Alexandre, vicomte de
Beauharnais who was arrested in 1794 because he was suspected of
supporting the aristocracy. He was guillotined for it and Josephine
was imprisoned. 5 days after her husband was murdered, she was
released because Maximilien Robespierre was guillotined and the
reign of terror had come to an end. She met Napoleon 1 year
later.