In 1762 Catherine's husband became Tsar Peter III but he ... the process of Westernisation begun by Peter the Great. During her reign she extended the Russian empire southwards and westwards ...

Catherine is responsible for a huge expansion of the Russian Empire, including the acquisition of Crimea, and turning Russia into one of the great powers of Europe. Brought from Germany as a young ...

Catherine died on 5 January 1589 and was buried next to her husband in the church of St Denis in Paris.