5 Minute Biographies

In the third episode of season 12 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of one of the most notorious criminal gang leaders in history - Al Capone. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the second episode of season 12 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of one of the most influential figures in the history of civil rights - Martin Luther King Jr. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the first episode of season 12 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the 40th President of the United States - Ronald Reagan. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the tenth and final episode of season 11 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the all too short life of one of the UK's most talented vocalists - Amy Winehouse. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the ninth episode of season 11 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the serial killer Ted Bundy. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the eighth episode of season 11 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of an actress who became one of Hollywood's most famous pin-ups and sex symbols during the 1940s - Jane Russell. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the seventh episode of season 11 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of an actor who at one point was the highest-paid in Hollywood and was simply known as Bogie - Humphrey Bogart. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the sixth episode of season 11 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of one of the greatest racing drivers of all time - Juan Manuel Fangio. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the fifth episode of season 11 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a look at the man who many call one of the greatest generals in history - Alexander the Great. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

“And thus I take my leave of this world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me.” – Anne Boleyn Anne Boleyn was a pivotal English historical figure with a legacy that far outweighs the fact that she was one of King Henry VIII’s six wives and one of two that he had executed, even though that is the main fact that many people know about her.  For example, she is essentially the main reason why the Church of England was created, and she also gave birth to arguably one of England’s greatest monarchs. However, history has not been kind to her, and Anne Boleyn is still seen by many as an ambitious homewrecker who got her just desserts after marrying a ruthless, selfish tyrant. Anne was born to the Earl of Wiltshire, Thomas Boleyn, and Lady Elizabeth Howard, but the exact date of her birth is in dispute. Some list it as early as 1499 and others as late as 1512, although the vast majority of historical documentarians believe her birth occurred somewhere between 1501 and 1507. She grew up as a highly educated woman for the medieval era and received tutelage in both the Netherlands and most importantly, France where she was even a maid of honour to Claude, the queen consort to King Francis I. Anne Boleyn possessed a sharp wit and a keen insight into the political maneuvering that went on in medieval times and upon returning from her tutelage overseas in 1522 she intended to marry her cousin James Butler, the 9th Earl of Ormond. However, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the marriage was called off, which Anne was none too happy about. She didn’t rest on her laurels though, and instead of sitting still and licking her wounds, Anne began instead to manoeuvre herself into the court and managed to get herself a posting as one of the maids of honour for King Henry’s then-wife Queen Catherine of Aragon. From this position, Anne Boleyn pounced on the fact that Catherine was unable to produce a male heir for the King, having so far only provided him with a daughter and began to plot her ascent to the throne. She started by spreading rumours, that she knew would eventually arrive at the ear of the king, about Catherine’s inability to produce boys and that he would be better off marrying her instead because she was more likely to be able to bear him a son. Anne Boleyn’s plot was successful, and the king began his pursuit of her in early 1526. Initially, Anne resisted these attempts, until the king promised to annul his marriage to the queen and marry her instead. The king petitioned Pope Clement VII to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, but the church refused to do so, not only on political grounds but also because ecclesiastical law forbade it. Consequently, England started to distance itself from the Catholic Church and began limiting its power in the country. King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were secretly married on 14 November 1532 which was followed by a formal marriage ceremony on 25 January the following year. The king’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon was annulled by the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer on 23 May. This was an act that could not be forgiven by the Pope who began ex-communication proceeding against Henry and Thomas Cranmer with the king deciding to seize control of the Church of England, placing himself at its head. On 1 June 1533, Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England. This, of course, was fine if Anne could follow through with her promise of a male heir for the king, otherwise, it was a potentially dangerous path to take. She was a beautiful woman and would be able to keep the king entertained for a while but her feminine charms w...

In the first episode of season 11 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the Argentinian revolutionary who helped to overthrow the Cuban government - Che Guevara. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/  - Thanks!

In the tenth and final episode of season 10 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the only President of the United States ever to resign from office - Richard Nixon. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/  - Thanks!

In the ninth episode of season 10 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who became a king and oversaw the dismantling of the British empire - King George V. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the eighth episode of season 10 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at probably the best-loved author from the 19th century - Charles Dickens. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!

In the seventh episode of season 10 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a Hollywood actress who gave up acting at the age of 26 to become Princess Grace of Monaco - Grace Kelly. Please consider supporting the show by buying me a coffee at http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee/ - Thanks!