King Charles XIV John of Sweden was the first monarch of the House of Bernadotte, reigning from 1818 until his death in 1844. Born as Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte in France, he was a Marshal of France under Napoleon Bonaparte before being elected Crown Prince of Sweden in 1810. His ascension marked a significant shift in Swedish history, as he established a new royal lineage. During his reign, Charles XIV John focused on modernizing Sweden and promoting peace. He worked to strengthen the economy and improve infrastructure, laying the groundwork for Sweden's future development. His legacy continues through the Bernadotte dynasty, which still reigns today.