Love is the most beautiful feeling in the world; a feeling that cannot be explained, only felt; an expression that cannot be defined, only expressed; love is life, love is beauty, love is joy. Love stories of Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, etc., have inspired many lovers all over the world. Similarly, take a look at the stories of these couples whose long-lasting love for each other continue to inspire and amaze people. Popular Couples in History and Today There are a few rare and timeless love stories in history. The following are brief love tales of the most popular couples throughout history and today. Cleopatra and Antony The love story of Cleopatra and Mark Antony is hardly unknown to anyone. He, a brave Roman general and she, the most beautiful woman in the world and Queen of Egypt, were in love against all odds. Their love was doomed from the beginning and ended with both of them committing suicide. Interestingly, the lead characters in the movie Cleopatra (1963) were played by Elizabeth Taylor (as Cleopatra) and Richard Burton (as Mark Antony), who at that time, was the most famous couple in the world. Mumtaz Mahal and Emperor Shah Jahan Although the Emperor's and his Queen's name may not be included in many famous couples' list, the symbolic Taj Mahal, speaks volumes of their love. Emperor Shah Jahan built this beautiful monument as a symbol of his love for his beloved wife after her death and also named it Taj Mahal, after her. Josephine and Napoleon The love of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte for his beautiful Queen Josephine is expressed in thousands of passionate letters he wrote to her while on war campaigns. Although they had their share of adulterous affairs, separation, his remarriage, their love for each other never wavered. The famous last words of Napoleon were, "France, armée, tête d'armée, Joséphine." (France, army, head of the army, Joséphine) Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt These distant cousins, sharing the same surname, were at that time, one of the most influential couples when Franklin Roosevelt (popularly known as FDR) was elected the 32nd President of the United States and she was the president and chair of numerous committees for Human Rights. They had their share of turbulent times, both prior to marriage and later, but, remained married until FDR's death. Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom (later the Duke of Windsor) accepted the opposition of his ministers, his family, the nation, and his subjects as he let go of his throne to marry his beloved and twice divorcee Wallis Simpson. A union, which was once one of the most scandalous affairs, turned out to be a long and everlasting love story when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor spent 35 years of married life together. Marie and Pierre Curie Maria Sklodowska-Curie and Pierre Curie are the world's first couple to win the Nobel prize for the discovery of radium and polonium. These intelligent Nobel laureates mixed personal love with professional life and achieved remarkable success together. Their daughter Irene and son-in-law Jean Frédéric Joliot-Curie were also awarded the Nobel Prize. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are perhaps one of the longest married celebrity couples today. They married in 1947 when she was Princess Elizabeth, the heiress presumptive to the British throne, and he was Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2007. Hillary and Bill Clinton Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary are considered as America's most powerful and influential couple. The US secretary of state and the former president have faced turbulent times in the relationship (with the President's affair and impeachment) and are still going steadily together. Victoria and David Beckham It was a headline when the soccer star David Beckham wed Spice Girls' Posh, Victoria Adams, in 1999. A decade later, even today, they are the most famous and 'it' couple. They endorse brands of millions of dollars, have their successful individual ventures, and raise 3 sons together. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Considered as one of the most popular and glamorous couples today, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been together for the past 5 years. 'Brangelina', as they are termed by the paparazzi, have adopted several kids and along with their own, raise 6 kids together. Jada Pinkett and Will Smith Will Smith once famously said, 'We (he and Jada) were together for two years before she even laughed at something I said!' The couple are married for more than 10 years now and interestingly, Will attributes the success of their long-lasting marriage to the concept of open marriage. Apart from the above mentioned ones, there were several famous people who are/were together for a lifetime for love. Here is a list.

• Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
• Jacqueline and John Kennedy
• Yoko Ono and John Lennon
• Mastani and Bajirao
• Nancy and Ronald Reagan
• Clementine and Winston Churchill
• Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier
• Mary and Abraham Lincoln
• Nefertiti and Amenhotep IV
• Gracie Allen and George Burns
• Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince Charles

This is only a short list. It will continue to grow as long as mankind survives and we nurture love in our hearts. As it is, love is eternal! Ciao!