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Was She the First Celebrity?

How an ancient Egyptian queen named Cleopatra mastered the art of fame 

March 2026
by Jane Nussbaum

Art by Carolyn Ridsdale

    Like all stars, Cleopatra knew how to make an entrance.

    It was a summer day in 41 b.c. A beautiful ship sailed up a river. Silver oars dipped in and out of the crystal clear water. Huge purple sails blew in the wind. 

    At the center of it all was Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt. On the ship, the queen lounged beneath a golden canopy. She was dressed as the Roman goddess Venus.

    Cleopatra was sailing to meet the Roman general Mark Antony—one of the most powerful men in the world. She wanted him to understand that Egypt was important and worth protecting. And she knew that ruling wasn’t just about power and might. It was also about image. 

    So Cleopatra didn’t just show up. She put on a show. It was just one of the many ways the queen dazzled crowds and made a name for herself outside Egypt. 

    Was Cleopatra the world’s first celebrity?

    Like all stars, Cleopatra knew how to make an entrance.

    It was a summer day in 41 b.c. A beautiful ship sailed up a river. The ship had silver oars and purple sails.

    Cleopatra VII was on the ship. She was the queen of Egypt. She lounged beneath a golden canopy. She was dressed as the Roman goddess Venus.

    Cleopatra was sailing to meet Mark Antony. He was a Roman general. He was one of the most powerful men in the world. Cleopatra wanted him to know that Egypt was important and worth protecting. She knew that ruling wasn’t just about power and might. It was also about image.

    So Cleopatra put on a show. It was just one of the many ways she dazzled crowds and made a name for herself outside Egypt.

    Was Cleopatra the world’s first celebrity?

    Like all stars, Cleopatra knew how to make an entrance.

    It was a summer day in 41 b.c., and a beautiful ship was sailing up a river. Its silver oars dipped in and out of the crystal clear water, and its huge purple sails blew in the wind.

    At the center of it all was Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt. On the ship, the queen—who was dressed as the Roman goddess Venus—lounged beneath a golden canopy.

    Cleopatra was sailing to meet the Roman general Mark Antony, one of the most powerful men in the world. She wanted him to understand that Egypt was important and worthy of protection. And she knew that ruling wasn’t only about power and might but also about image.

    So Cleopatra didn’t just show up—she put on a show. It was just one of the many ways the queen dazzled crowds and made a name for herself outside Egypt.

    Was Cleopatra the world’s first celebrity?

A Born Ruler

    Cleopatra was born in 69 b.c. She belonged to a long line of pharaohs, or rulers, originally from Macedonia. That was a kingdom in northern Greece. For hundreds of years, her family ruled Egypt. She took over at age 18. 

    Historians say Cleopatra was brilliant and charismatic. As the child of royalty, she received the best education possible. She could speak nine languages. One of those was Egyptian. It was a language her Greek-speaking family had mostly ignored. 

    But learning Egyptian was a smart move. Speaking it helped Cleopatra connect with the Egyptian people. 

    The queen also knew how to play to a crowd. At festivals, she often dressed up as the beloved Egyptian goddess Isis. When she did, her people worshipped her like a pop star. 

    Cleopatra was born in 69 b.c. She came from a long line of pharaohs, or rulers, originally from Macedonia. That was a kingdom in Greece. For many years, her family ruled Egypt. She took over at age 18.

    Historians say Cleopatra was brilliant and charismatic. As the child of royalty, she got the best education possible. She could speak nine languages. One of those was Egyptian. It was a language her Greek-speaking family had mostly ignored.

    But learning Egyptian was a smart move. Speaking it helped Cleopatra connect with the Egyptian people.

    The queen also knew how to play to a crowd. At festivals, she often dressed up as the beloved Egyptian goddess Isis. When she did, people worshipped her like a pop star. 

    Cleopatra was born in 69 b.c. She belonged to a long line of pharaohs, or rulers, originally from Macedonia, a kingdom in northern Greece. Her family ruled Egypt for centuries, and she took over at age 18.

    According to historians, Cleopatra was brilliant and charismatic. As the child of royalty, she received the best education possible. She could speak nine languages—including Egyptian, a language her Greek-speaking family had essentially ignored.

    But learning Egyptian was a smart move, because speaking it helped Cleopatra connect with the Egyptian people.

    The queen also knew how to play to a crowd, and at festivals, she often dressed up as the beloved Egyptian goddess Isis. When she did, her people worshipped her like a pop star.

Silver Screen Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images (Taylor); Wordsworth Editions Ltd, 1993 (book)

Forever Famous 
Cleopatra’s life has inspired graphic novel characters, films, and plays.

Powerful Partners

    But Cleopatra didn’t just know how to connect with her people. She also formed powerful bonds with other leaders. These bonds inspired even more interest in her life. 

    Take Mark Antony, for example. He was dazzled by Cleopatra that day in 41 b.c. Soon he moved to Egypt to be with her. For more than a decade, they ruled as a team. They had children together. They entered wars together. And they caused quite a stir in Rome. Women there were expected to be quiet and obedient. They weren’t supposed to be powerful leaders. 

    This made Cleopatra even more famous. After all, nothing draws attention like a woman breaking the rules. 

    Cleopatra knew how to connect with her people. She also formed powerful bonds with other leaders. These bonds inspired even more interest in her life.

    Take Mark Antony, for example. He was dazzled by Cleopatra that day in 41 b.c. Soon he moved to Egypt to be with her. For more than 10 years, they ruled as a team. They had children together. They entered wars together. And they caused a stir in Rome. Women there were expected to be quiet and obedient. They weren’t supposed to be powerful leaders.

    Breaking these rules made Cleopatra even more famous.

    But Cleopatra didn’t just know how to connect with her people. She also formed powerful alliances with other leaders, and these alliances inspired even more interest in her life.

    Take Mark Antony, for example. He was dazzled by Cleopatra that day in 41 b.c. Soon he relocated to Egypt to be with her, and for more than a decade, they ruled as a team. They had children together and entered wars together. And they caused quite a stir in Rome, where women were expected to be quiet and obedient—and were certainly not expected to be powerful leaders.

    This made Cleopatra even more famous. After all, nothing draws attention like a woman breaking the rules.

A Legend Is Born

    Eventually, a Roman leader named Octavian declared war on Antony and Cleopatra. In 31 b.c., they were defeated. Before they could be caught, the couple took their own lives. 

    After Cleopatra’s death, Octavian claimed Egypt for Rome. But he couldn’t erase the queen. Since her death, Cleopatra’s fame has only grown. People around the world are still amazed by her story. They’re still dazzled by her image. They’re still searching for her tomb. 

    If that’s not celebrity, what is? 

    Eventually, a Roman leader declared war on Antony and Cleopatra. His name was Octavian. In 31 b.c., he defeated them. Before they could be caught, the couple took their own lives. 

    After Cleopatra’s death, Octavian claimed Egypt for Rome. But he couldn’t erase the queen. Since her death, Cleopatra’s fame has grown. People are still amazed by her story. They’re still dazzled by her image. They’re still searching for her tomb.

    If that’s not celebrity, what is?

    Eventually, a Roman leader named Octavian declared war on Antony and Cleopatra, and in 31 b.c., they were defeated. Before they could be captured, though, the couple took their own lives.

    After Cleopatra’s death, Octavian claimed Egypt for Rome, but he couldn’t erase the queen. Since her death, Cleopatra’s fame has only increased. People around the world are still fascinated by her story and dazzled by her image—and they’re still searching for her tomb.

    If that’s not celebrity, what is?

The Search for Cleopatra’s Tomb

Meet the woman on a mission to solve one of history’s greatest mysteries.

March 2026
by Jane Nussbaum

    Dust filled the desert air. Kathleen Martínez’s heart pounded. It was November 2022, and her team had just found something very exciting. 

    Martínez is an archaeologist—someone who studies ancient people. In front of her was the entrance to a tunnel. It was carved by hand through solid rock some 2,000 years ago. 

    That alone was amazing. But to Martínez, the tunnel was something more. It was a clue that could help her solve one of history’s greatest mysteries. 

    Would it lead her to the lost tomb of Cleopatra VII?

    Dust filled the air. Kathleen Martinez’s heart pounded. It was November 2022. Her team had found something exciting.

    Martínez is an archaeologist. She studies ancient people. Her team had found the entrance to a tunnel. It was made about 2,000 years ago. It was carved through solid rock—by hand.

    That was amazing. But to Martinez, the tunnel was something more. It was a clue. It might help her solve one of history’s mysteries.

    It might lead her to the lost tomb of Cleopatra VII.

    Dust filled the desert air. Kathleen Martínez’s heart pounded. It was November 2022, and her team had just found something very exciting.

    Martínez is an archaeologist—someone who studies ancient people. In front of her was the entrance to a tunnel that had been carved by hand through solid rock some 2,000 years ago.

    That alone was extraordinary. But to Martínez, the tunnel was something more. It was a clue that could help her solve one of history’s greatest mysteries.

    Would it lead her to the lost tomb of Cleopatra VII?

Paul Olding

From Courtroom to Ruins

    Martínez grew up in the Dominican Republic. That’s a country in the Caribbean Sea. She was a brilliant and curious student. From a young age, she dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. She wanted to study ancient Egypt’s pharaohs. But her parents didn’t think archaeology was a practical career. So Martínez became a lawyer instead. 

    Yet her love of history never left her. She started training in archaeology as a hobby. She was fascinated by Egypt’s last pharaoh, Cleopatra. “She was the most powerful woman of her time,” Martínez has said.

    Martínez became especially interested in where Cleopatra was buried. Many historians believe she was buried near her royal palace. That was in the city of Alexandria. But her tomb has never been found there. And Martínez didn’t think it ever would be. Why?

    Cleopatra felt a close connection to the goddess Isis. That’s why Martínez believed the queen would have been buried in a temple dedicated to her. In 2004, Martínez decided to travel to Egypt to try to prove it. 

    Martínez grew up in the Dominican Republic. That’s a country in the Caribbean Sea. She was a brilliant and curious student. She dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. She wanted to study ancient Egypt’s pharaohs. But her parents didn’t think archaeology was a practical career. So Martínez became a lawyer.

    Yet her love of history never left her. She trained in archaeology as a hobby. She was fascinated by Egypt’s last pharaoh, Cleopatra. “She was the most powerful woman of her time,” Martinez has said.

    Martinez became interested in where Cleopatra was buried. Many historians believe she was buried near her royal palace. It was in the city of Alexandria. But her tomb has not been found there. And Martinez didn’t think it ever would be. Why?

    Cleopatra felt a connection to the goddess Isis. Martínez believed the queen would have been buried in a temple dedicated to her. In 2004, Martínez went to Egypt to try to prove it.

    Martínez grew up in the Dominican Republic, a country in the Caribbean Sea. She was a brilliant and curious student, and from a young age, she dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. She wanted to study ancient Egypt’s pharaohs, but her parents didn’t think archaeology was a practical career. So Martínez became a lawyer instead.

    Yet her love of history never left her. She started training in archaeology as a hobby. She was fascinated by Egypt’s last pharaoh, Cleopatra. “She was the most powerful woman of her time,” Martínez has stated.

    Martínez became especially interested in where Cleopatra was buried. Many historians believe she was buried near her royal palace, which was in the city of Alexandria. But her tomb has never been found there, and Martínez didn’t think it ever would be. Why?

    Cleopatra felt a close connection to the goddess Isis, so Martínez believed the queen would have been buried in a temple dedicated to her. In 2004, Martínez decided to travel to Egypt to try to prove it.

Paul Olding (MartÍnez); Shutterstock.com (Background); Jim McMahon/Mapman ® (Map); Kenneth Garrett (Taposiris Magna)

Where in the World?
Cleopatra’s royal palace was in Alexandria. Taposiris Magna is about 30 miles away, close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Hunting for Proof 

    Martínez visited 20 different places in Egypt. None seemed quite right for Cleopatra’s tomb. Some were too small. Others were dedicated to the wrong god or goddess. 

    Finally, she traveled to Taposiris Magna. This temple is about 30 miles outside Alexandria. Little was known about it—including who built it and when. Martínez took the lack of information as a sign. Taposiris Magna could be where Cleopatra is buried. 

    Martínez began digging at the temple. The project has lasted 20 years so far. In that time, her team has uncovered many clues. 

    They learned that Taposiris Magna had been built for Cleopatra’s great-great-great-grandfather. They discovered that the temple was dedicated to Isis. They found coins with the queen’s image. They dug up pottery from Cleopatra’s time period.

    Then came the biggest discovery: the tunnel. It was 4,300 feet long, leading to the nearby sea. Martínez’s team learned that the temple complex had been much bigger. Part of it had sunk into the water. Cleopatra’s tomb could be buried beneath the waves.

    If it is, Martínez hasn’t found it—yet. But her work is still inspiring. She has already changed what experts know about Cleopatra. And she has never stopped looking for answers. 

    Martínez visited 20 different places in Egypt. Some were too small for Cleopatra’s tomb. Others were dedicated to the wrong god or goddess.

    Finally, she went to Taposiris Magna. It’s a temple. It’s about 30 miles outside Alexandria. No one knows who built it or when. Martinez took the lack of information as a sign. Taposiris Magna could be where Cleopatra is buried.

    Martínez began digging at the temple. The project has lasted 20 years so far. In that time, her team has uncovered many clues.

    They learned that Taposiris Magna had been built for Cleopatra’s great-great-great-grandfather. They discovered that the temple was dedicated to Isis. They found coins with the queen’s image. They dug up pottery from Cleopatra’s time period.

    Then they found the tunnel. It was 4,300 feet long. It led to the sea. Martinez’s team learned that the temple complex had been much bigger. Part of it had sunk into the water. Cleopatra’s tomb could have been in that part.

    Martínez hasn’t found it yet. But she has changed what experts know about Cleopatra. And she’s never stopped looking for answers.

    Martínez visited 20 different places in Egypt, but none seemed quite right for Cleopatra’s tomb. Some were too small, and others were dedicated to the wrong god or goddess.

    Finally, she traveled to Taposiris Magna. This temple is about 30 miles outside Alexandria. Little was known about it—including who built it and when. Martínez took the lack of information as a sign. Taposiris Magna could be where Cleopatra is buried.

    Martínez began digging at the temple. The project has lasted 20 years so far. In that time, her team has uncovered many clues.

    They learned that Taposiris Magna had been built for Cleopatra’s great-great-great-grandfather. They discovered that the temple was dedicated to Isis. They found coins with the queen’s image, and they dug up pottery from Cleopatra’s time period.

    Then came the biggest discovery: the tunnel. It was 4,300 feet long, leading to the nearby sea. Martínez’s team learned that the temple complex had once been much larger. Part of it had sunk into the water—so Cleopatra’s tomb could be buried beneath the waves.

    If it is, Martínez hasn’t found it—yet. But her work is still inspiring. She has already changed what experts know about Cleopatra. And she has never stopped looking for answers.

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