She enjoys to hear sad stories.

I like listening to sad stories because mainly it's actually mostly reality compared to other stories also I live how the emotion in there is tense and realistic sometimes. Some people like me don't like listening much about compliments because most of them aren't real and people don't know the story (or maybe tragic) behind it.

People like to hear about other people's misery for two reasons: 1. It makes them feel better about themselves, because they actually feel good knowing that somebody is in a bad situation while they may be not. I had an ex-boss like that too. She took pleasure in knowing that I was struggling to make ends meet..sad but true. Now that I'm successful, owning my own home, new car and great job, when ever I speak about it on FB (beause she would ask how I'm going) she gets jealous, because things are going well for me. Some people are twisted people that way,they just enjoy other people's misery. AND 2. Sometimes people ARE NOT happy with their lives and would be glad to hear that other people aren't happy just like they are, for example that scenario you gave with other people's husbands being good to them, her marriage probably isn't doing well and so it would make her feel better to know that other people's husband are treating them badly as well. There's a saying "misery loves company" So it can be one out of those two reasons, why your bosses wife thinks the way she does, and it really twisted and demented.

i think we must remember the proverb said, don`t look someone only from the cover.. even she is happy, even she is rich or even she get a good husband, it doesn`t mean she never get a bad situation in her life.. so maybe she ever feel the bad life before you see now from the cover situation

If she was someone who liked to spread gossips, I wouldn't be surprised, but if she doesn't, I don't know... Even if she is rich there must be something that happened to her, or that she's not happy with her husband. Maybe she needs those sad storied to prove herself that she or her husband is better... Like you, I wouldn't tell anything about my husband that is not neutral. You shouldn't feel uncomfortable as it's not her business, it's your marriage after all.

i guess inside the home where none can see, they have problem and this issue is not breaking out and seeing,knowing some bad stories makes her strong inside, that she is not the only one who feel something is missing, there is an emptiness, sadness and grief. She get the courage and braveness from other people's stories. I am somewhat like this so I may guess we have something, even little in common.

If you mean she enjoys other peoples suffering I don’t think she and I would ever be friends. Why are people this way? I think she likes this because she loves gossiping about those people which would be very bad.

It sounds like she is jealous. Maybe she isn't as happy as you think she is. If she is, I guess she just doesn't want anyone else to be happier than her!

I think she has her own insecurities too, and she can only find refuge in listening to other peoples problems, that way, she knows she is not the only one suffering. Because of her status, she cant disclose her personal life easily, you said you "think" she is happy, try asking her if she is really ok, you might be amazed, maybe she needs someone to talk to