The 10 greatest love letters of all time

These are the ten most romantic love letters of all time, according to one poll.

We've reproduced the entirety of the most romantic love letter of all time below, and extracts of the top 10.

1. Johnny Cash wishes wife June Carter Cash a happy 65th birthday (1994)

Happy Birthday Princess,

We get old and get use to each other. We think alike. We read each others minds. We know what the other wants without asking. Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit. Maybe sometimes take each other for granted.

But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realise how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met. You still fascinate and inspire me. You influence me for the better. You’re the object of my desire, the #1 Earthly reason for my existence. I love you very much.

2. Winston Churchill tells wife Clementine Churchill of his undying love (1935)

Time passes swiftly, but is it not joyous to see how great and growing is the treasure we have gathered together, amid the storms and stresses of so many eventful and, to millions, tragic and terrible years?

Read more here.

3. John Keats tells next door neighbour Fanny Brawne he cannot live without her (1819)

My love has made me selfish. I cannot exist without you - I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again

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4. Ernest Hemingway professes his love to Marlene Dietrich (1951)

I can't say how every time I ever put my arms around you I felt that I was home. Nor too many things. But we were always cheerful and jokers together.

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5. Napoleon Bonaparte sends his love to Josephine de Beauharnais (1796)

The charms of the incomparable Josephine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart.

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6. Richard Burton tells Elizabeth Taylor of her beauty (1964)

You don’t realise of course, E.B., how fascinatingly beautiful you have always been, and how strangely you have acquired an added and special and dangerous loveliness.

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7. King Henry VIII expresses his love for Anne Boleyn (1527)

I beg to know expressly your intention touching the love between us.

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8. Beethoven pens his love for his ‘Immortal Beloved’ whose true identity remains a mystery (1812)

Love demands everything and that very justly - thus it is to me with you, and you with me

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9. Gerald Ford reminds wife Betty Ford of his and their family’s love for her shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer (1974)

No written words can adequately express our deep, deep love. We know how great you are and we, the children and Dad, will try to be as strong as you.

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10. Jimi Hendrix tells his “little girl” to spread her wings (date unknown)

Happiness is within you....so unlock the chains from your heart and let yourself grow

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Source: A poll of more than 1,000 people by insurance company Beagle Street.