Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French on May 18, 1804. Born on August 15, 1769, Napoleon was 34 years old at the time of his coronation.
His rise to power came after a series of impactful events during the French Revolution, where he established himself as a military leader and later as the First Consul of France. The transition to Emperor was a strategic move to solidify his authority and stabilize the country, as well as to establish a dynasty. His age at the time reflects a period when many leaders are still in the early stages of their careers, but Napoleon’s exceptional abilities and circumstances propelled him to this significant position at a relatively young age.