Gaius Marius was married to Julius Caesar’s Aunt

You will be surprised that he was married to Julius Caesar's aunt, one of these interesting facts about Gaius Marius. He wed Julia, who was the daughter of Gaius Julius II, the sister of Gaius Julius III, and later Julius Caesar's aunt. Although the Julii Caesares family was patriotic, it didn't seem possible that they would advance past the position of praetor to become consul at this time. Only once, in 157 BC, did Julii do this in the second century. Both parties gain from the union: Marius gains respect by wedding into a patriarchal family, while Julii gains a lot of money and energy. Whether Marius ran in the yearly election of former magistrates for the position of the consul is unknown, but, likely, he lost at least once.

Gaius Marius' status as a significant influence in Roman society was firmly cemented by their marriage in 110 BC. After many years of blissful marriage, the couple had a son, Gaius Marius the Younger, who was chosen to serve as consul in 82 BC but also committed suicide that year. Julia passed away in 69BC, having outlived her spouse. Her grandson, Julius Caesar, emotionally read a letter to pay tribute to his aunt at her funeral.