XII. MATHILDE LETITIA WILHELMINE (1820-1904), daughter of Jerome, and
sister of Prince Napoleon (XI.), was born at Trieste on the 20th of May
1820; after being almost betrothed to her cousin Louis Napoleon, in 1840
she was married to Prince Anatole Demidov. His conduct, however, led to
a separation within five years, and the tsar Nicholas compelled him to
make Princess Mathilde a handsome allowance. After the election of Louis
Napoleon to the presidency of the republic she took up her residence in
Paris, and did the honours of the Elysee till his marriage. She
continued to live in Paris, having great influence as a friend and
patron of men of art and letters, till her death on the 2nd of January
1904.