Countess Ekaterina Mikhailovna Ribopierre (nee Potemkina; 1788-1872) was the wife of diplomat and chief chamberlain Alexander Ivanovich Ribeaupierre[1], and a cavalry lady of the Order of Saint Catherine[2] and State Lady of the court, and recipient of the Order of Queen Maria Luisa.

The couple fell for each other, though Ekaterina's mother wished for a more advantageous marriage for her daughter and did not consent to the union; at one point Nikita Volkonsky was considered for a husband.

The couple aroused sympathy from others, Ekaterina's cousins, Prince Golitsyn and Count Branicki intervened on her behalf.

In December of 1817, the couple and their children were on a ship that was shot at by Turkish forces while they sailed from Constantinople through the Bosporus Strait after the Battle of Navarino.

Following the signing of the Treaty of Adrianople in 1829, the family returned to Constantinople where they lived in the Russian embassy in Buyuk-Der which had an excellent view of the Bosphorus and a magnificent garden.

During Ribeapierre's stay on a diplomatic mission in Berlin beginning 1832, Ekaterina maintained her reputation as a hostess of luxurious receptions and arranged great festivities.

The couple were regulars at all palace meetings and enjoyed the favour of the imperial family; they stood out in society because they shunned intrigue and gossip.