Born in 1556, Anne Hathaway was from the small village of Shottery, one mile from William Shakespeare's hometown, Stratford.

William and Anne married in November, 1582 when Shakespeare was 18 years old and Hathaway was 26. Sixth months after their wedding, Anne gave birth to their daughter Susanna. In February 1585, the couple gave birth to twins, Hamnet and Judith.

After the birth of their children, Shakespeare left his home for London and Hathaway rarely saw her husband until around 1611 when he spent the end of his life back in Stratford. Anne Hathaway died in 1623 and is buried in the church in Stratford next to her husband, who died seven years earlier.

Just before she died, a monument to her husband was built in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.

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Text: Celeste Beck