Napoleon Bonaparte, precisely 5ft 6 ½ (168.9 cm) tall, built an empire that matched his outsized ambitions despite his modest stature fueling myths about his height.
His 168.9 cm frame became iconic, inspiring the 'Napoleon complex' term for perceived height insecurities, yet he dominated Europe as a military genius.
- Rose from Corsican artillery officer to Emperor of the French in 1804.
- Led victorious campaigns across Europe, from Italy to Egypt.
- Implemented the Napoleonic Code, shaping modern legal systems.
Exiled after abdication in 1814 and defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon's legacy at 5ft 6 endures as a symbol of conquering limitations.