Henry VIII's first wife was Catherine of Aragon, whom he first met when she came to England to marry his older brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales, in 1501. However, Arthur died shortly after their marriage, and there were subsequent negotiations for Catherine to marry Henry, who eventually became king after the death of his father, Henry VII. Catherine and Henry were married in 1509, shortly after Henry's ascension to the throne.
Catherine of Aragon bore Henry several children, but only one survived infancy, Mary, who later became Queen Mary I of England. Henry's desperation for a male heir led him to seek an annulment of his marriage to Catherine, claiming it was invalid due to Catherine previously being married to his brother. This led to a rift with the Catholic Church and ultimately to Henry's break with Rome, leading to the establishment of the Church of England.
Henry's second wife was Anne Boleyn, whom he married in 1533 after his marriage to Catherine was annulled. Anne Boleyn's inability to provide Henry with a male heir led to her downfall, and she was executed for treason in 1536.
Henry's third wife was Jane Seymour, whom he married shortly after Anne Boleyn's execution. Jane Seymour finally provided Henry with a male heir, Edward, but she died shortly after giving birth in 1537.
Henry's fourth wife was Anne of Cleves, whom he married in 1540 as part of a political alliance. The marriage was annulled after only six months.
Henry's fifth wife was Catherine Howard, whom he married later in 1540. Catherine was executed for adultery in 1542.
Henry's sixth and final wife was Catherine Parr, whom he married in 1543. Catherine Parr outlived Henry
