Secret Life of...

- Season 1

(2012)

We know him as the king with a whack of palaces, a weight problem, and a penchant for killing off his wives. However, there is much more to Henry VIII than the old tyrant depicted in history books. Welcome to the Secret Life of Henry VIII.

He alone was said to be worth 50,000 men on the battlefield. Such was the military genius of Napoleon Bonaparte. He ruled an empire with an empire-sized ego but was also a hopeless romantic. Welcome to the Secret Life of Napoleon.

She was the queen with the powdered white face, high forehead, and a wardrobe that made her the Lady Gaga of her era. Elizabeth I was also a passionate woman with a wicked temper and iron will. Welcome to the Secret Life of Elizabeth I.

His name means Little Boots, a bit too cute for the tyrant he was to become. The Roman Emperor Caligula was one nasty piece of work. His life was practically a manual on the making of a monster. Welcome to the Secret Life of Caligula.

We think of Queen Victoria as the dry, weary matron in black who grumbles, "We are not amused," but in private life, Victoria was passionate, lively, full of surprises, and a sexual dynamo. Welcome to the Secret Life of Queen Victoria.

He conquered the known world by age 25, and not only did Alexander the Great win more than 40 battles, but he likely did so while intoxicated, riding bareback, and wearing skimpy battledress. Welcome to Secret Life of Alexander the Great.

He was a playboy poet, and one of the first true celebrities in history. Lord Byron's words made women swoon (as well as a men). One of the great Romantic poets, he embraced fame like no other. Welcome to the Secret Life of Lord Byron.

The Borgias were the original crime family. Their historical "rap sheet" would shock the Sopranos, only the Borgias committed their sins inside the Vatican. Their daily life was shocking. Welcome to the Secret Life of the Borgias.

We all remember her four famous words, "Let them eat cake," however, Marie Antoinette did not actually say these words, but her image as the Queen of Wretched Excess has endured. Welcome to the Secret Life of Marie Antoinette.

The name Casanova is synonymous with seduction. He was a lothario, a chick magnet of the highest order. A man of many disguises. His mother was an actress, so theater was a part of his upbringing. Welcome to the Secret Life of Casanova.

We can thank Marquis for the word 'sadist.' Explore the two faces of Marquis, a man who spent most of his life in prison. We visit his Paris haunts, and reveal some his favorite sexual toys. Welcome to the Secret Life of Marquis de Sade.

Her name is synonymous with intrigue and seduction. She is considered the ultimate femme fatale, and a superstar of the Belle Epoque. However, who was the real Mata Hari, and how did she evolve? Welcome to the Secret Life of Mata Hari.

She is famous for having sex with her horse. Now, that may be pure legend, but Catherine the Great did have an outsized libido. She was also smart, ambitious, and a masterful politician. Welcome to the Secret Life of Catherine the Great.

The big hair, lacy cuffs, the platform shoes - Yes, Louis XIV was over the top, and nobody outshone The Sun King. He may have been pint-sized, but Louis had a huge appetite for sex, food, and bling. Welcome to the Secret Life of Louis XIV.