Hortense Eugénie Cécile Bonaparte, born on April 10, 1783, in Paris, France, was Queen of Holland as the wife of King Louis Bonaparte. She was the stepdaughter of Emperor Napoléon I and daughter of his first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais. Hortense later married Napoléon I's brother, Louis, making her Napoleon's sister-in-law. She became queen consort of Holland when Louis was made King of Holland in 1806, and they had three sons. Hortense was known for her love of fine art and music, being an accomplished amateur musical composer. Despite her reluctance to marry Louis at first, she accepted the proposal for the family's political wellbeing. As Queen of Holland, she initially struggled with her marriage, her forced move to the Netherlands, and her relationship with Louis. Her personal life also saw her respond to romantic overtures from Colonel Charles Joseph, Comte de Flahaut, with whom she had an illegitimate son. Hortense's life was filled with complexities, including her difficult marriage, her artistic pursuits, and her romantic entanglements, making her a figure of both historical and personal interest.

Hortense Catherine Schneider, also known as La Snédèr, was a renowned French soprano born on April 30, 1833, in Bordeaux, France, and passed away on May 5, 1920, in Paris. She gained fame as one of the greatest operetta stars of the 19th century, particularly acclaimed for her association with the works of composer Jacques Offenbach. Schneider's career took off after making her debut in Agen in 1853, followed by a successful stint at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens, where she captivated audiences with her performances in Offenbach's productions. Her exceptional talent and stage presence earned her admiration, making her a favorite of the Second Empire and even leading to rumors of her involvement with King Edward VII. Schneider retired after her marriage in 1878 and bequeathed her house to L'Orphelinat des Arts. Her life has been immortalized in various publications and films, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence. Schneider's impact on the world of opera and operetta remains influential to this day.

Hortense Dufour, born in 1946 in Saintes, is a renowned French writer with a diverse literary portfolio. Her childhood and youth were spent in Marennes, Charente-Maritime. Dufour, the daughter of a French magistrate and an Italian musician, is known for her extensive travels across the globe, including Europe, England, Ireland, the United States, and Maghreb countries. She honed her passion for writing from a young age and was discovered by publisher Jean-Jacques Pauvert at 22. Dufour's literary contributions span numerous novels and biographies, delving into the lives of historical figures such as Calamity Jane, Cleopatra, Marie-Antoinette, Colette, George Sand, Joan of Arc, and Madame de Pompadour. Her novel "La Marie-Marraine" earned her the Grand prix des lectrices de Elle in 1978, while "Le Bouchot" secured her the Prix du Livre Inter in 1983. In recognition of her literary prowess, she was awarded the Order of Knight of Arts and Letters in 2010. Dufour's influence extends beyond her written works, as she has also contributed to television programs and served as the godmother of the multimedia library of Marennes. Her captivating storytelling has garnered international acclaim, with several of her works translated into various languages.