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Empress Elisabeth of Austria
One of the most interesting and mysterious leading figure of European monarchies -
Birth
Born on 24 December 1837 in Munich, Bavaria, she was the fourth child of Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria and Princess Ludovika of Bavaria.
Full Name:Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie
Other best known names:Sissi,Empress Elisabeth of Austria,Elisabeth of Bavaria... -
Period: to
Childhood
Maximilian (her father) was always considered to be rather peculiar . The family's homes were the Herzog-Max-Palais in Munich during winter and Possenhofen Castle in the summer months, far from the protocols of court. "Sisi" and her siblings grew up in a very unrestrained and unstructured environment; she often skipped her lessons to go riding about the countryside.
From her father she inherits a love of nature and a passion for horses and riding; of his mother, affection for people and humility -
The Herzog-Max-Palais in Munich
Habitual residence of the family.
Throughout her childhood. -
Possenhofen Castle
The family home at summer months.
Throughout her childhood. -
She falls in love
In the summer of 1853, Sisi, her sister Elena and her mother were invited to Bad Ischl by her aunt, the Archduchess Sofia, who was looking for her son, a discreet, beautiful wife who could speak French.
But her son Franz Joseph I and Sisi fell in love at first sight and although the archduchess opposed, they managed to get married. -
Marriage
The couple were married later in Vienna at the Augustinerkirche on 24 April 1854. The marriage was finally consummated three days later, and Elisabeth received a dower equal to today's 240,000 USD. -
Augustinerkirche
Augustinerkirche-Wedding place -
Period: to
Personality through the time
She was very tall and weighed only 50kg. She had a long hair
She was rebellious, cultured and too advanced for the time.
She cared for her figure maniacally, she did a lot of sport and had a strict and controversial diet, she only ate boiled fish, fruit and squeezed meat juice. Her favorite poet was Heine.
She didn't want to be photographed or portrayed.
And her attitude became more maniacal after the death of Rudolf -
Period: to
1st daughter
Archduchess Sophie of Austria,(1855-1857), deceased at two years of age afflicted with typhus.
Her death pushed Elisabeth, who was already prone to bouts of melancholy, into periods of heavy depression, which would haunt her for the rest of her life. She turned away from her living daughter, began neglecting her.
Then it was when she was forbidden to raise her daughter and future son -
Period: to
2nd Daughter
Gisela de Habsburgo-Lorena,Archduchess of Austria (1856-1932).
she survived to the typhus that her sister suffered. The relationship with her mother was nonexistent -
Archduchess Sophie of Austria
1º Daughter -
Period: to
1st Son
Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria,the expected Crown Prince of the Crown (1858-1889).
In 1889, he died in a suicide pact with his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, at the Mayerling hunting lodge.The ensuing scandal made international headlines.
This episode, which is known as «Mayerling's Crime».
Then, Sisi left Vienna and began to dress completely in mourning, forbidden to be photographed and her relationship with her husband cooled. -
Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria
He was heir apparent to the throne of Austria-Hungary from birth.
1st son of Sisi -
Period: to
Last daugther
Marie Valerie,archduchess of Austria (1868-1924).
Of all her children, she was the only one who could be raised by she -
Archduchess Gisela of Austria
2º Daughter of Sisi -
Period: to
Last years
She made many trips, but the exchange of letters that she had with her husband during this time rekindled her relationship with him. -
Sissi
Empress Elisabeth of Austria -
Sissi and Franz Joseph I
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Luigi Lucheni
Her killer -
Imperial Cript
The place where she was buried -
Assassination
In Geneva, she was attacked by an Italian anarchist, Luigi Lucheni.
Luigi pretended to trip over her, and then he put a fine stiletto in her heart. Actually, his goal wasn't her, but when his plan failed, he decided to go for her.She was buried in the Imperial Crypt -
Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria
Last daugther of Sisi -
Now
One of the best known figure of European monarchies.
For that reason she is the protagonist of a multitude of movies
This is the most famous movie about this icon
