Why does Catherine the Great have a bad reputation?

Question

It seems to me that she was an excellent monarch, but I always see people roll their eyes, laugh, or make strange remarks in discussions of her. What is it that she did which has left such a legacy?

Answer 1

It's probably because of the (untrue) rumours that say she died having sex with a horse and that she had an enormous number of lovers.

Here are some facts about her:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_109
http://members.tripod.com/~Nevermore/ctgfaq.htm
http://www.snopes.com/risque/animals/catherine.asp
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/catherinegreat/p/catherinegreat.htm

Answer 2

Catherine the Great was never bellowed in Russia.
She was a German who pushed many Russians from the throne, including own husband. That included imprisonments, even murders.
Having lovers in old age was a perfect start-point for gossips. All her "favorites" were of low rank and became very rich, again stepping on too many toes.
She was a good ruler by many standards, but the gossips survived until now.

Answer 3

Although its true she was attracted to enlightenment ideals and initially favored social reform, rebellions and uprisings against her rule shattered her dreams of turning Russia into a modern European society and made her more attached to absolute power. The harsh measures she used against rebellious subjects earned her a smeared reputation in history.

Answer 4

She bankrupted her country with wars of conquest and great building projects causing massive poverty among the Russian population.

Answer 5

Her son hated her because of her role in deposing and killing his father, Peter III. Given how soon after her death most of the lies about her started, I think it's clear that if he didn't start them, he certainly encouraged them.