She was married to Radama when she was almost a child, and was suspected of poisoning her husband. Radama left no descendants when he died and Ranavalona took the throne in 1828 after eliminating any potential rivals. After becoming Queen, Ranavalona had most of her relatives assassinated. She persecuted and expelled foreigners, including the island's missionaries, in 1835, and extended her rule all over the island with her 20,000-man army. She also had her lover Rainitaiarivoy named Prime Minister.
Queen Ranavalona died hated by her subjects and foreign countries alike. She was mother of King Radama II, who succeeded her.