Random Tragic Life Of Elisabeth Of Austria (13 items)

• 

  (#12) Elisabeth's Father Likely Influenced Her Rebellious Attitude

  Elisabeth's father, Duke Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria, was informally known as "Max" among his peers. A free spirit, he had a deep interest in music, especially Bavarian folk music. He traveled extensively around the world, including to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. He even constructed a temporary circus behind his palace residence in Munich.

  He encouraged his daughter's adventurous personality. Elisabeth rejected rigorous academics in favor of equestrian pursuits and long hikes into the Bavarian countryside. Elisabeth's unorthodox upbringing seemed to limit her ability to adhere to a conventional royal lifestyle.
• 

  (#10) Elisabeth Was Extremely Popular In Hungary

  Hungary was historically oppressed in the Austria-Hungary empire. In 1848, after popular uprisings in Hungary threatened Austrian rule, Franz Josef instituted harsh reprisals against the Hungarian people, which further damaged relations between the two regions.

  Elisabeth was sympathetic to Hungary, likely encouraged by her—possibly romantic—relationship with Count Gyula Andrassy, a Hungarian populist leader. Elisabeth eventually convinced her husband, after Austria's defeat at the hands of Prussia in 1867, that improved relations with Hungary and expansion into the Baltic states could reestablish Austria as a European power. Franz Josef and Elisabeth were officially crowned King and Queen of Hungary in 1867. Andrassy was named as the prime minister of the Hungarian part of the dual state. The union set off a period of stability and economic prosperity in the region. Elisabeth became extremely popular, and even today, she's revered in Hungary—numerous Hungarian memorials and statues are dedicated to her memory.
• 

  (#1) Elisabeth Married Her First Cousin, Emperor Franz Josef

  Elisabeth of Austria's mother and aunt decided her future from an early age. Princess Ludovika and Princess Sophie were ambitious, aristocratic sisters from Bavaria's ruling Wittelsbach family. They wanted their children to marry influential men in the ruling class.

  Princess Ludovika had two daughters, Elisabeth and Helene. Princess Sophie had a son, Austrian Emperor Franz Josef. Sophie arranged for Franz Josef, Elisabeth, and Helene to meet. Both women intended for 23-year-old Franz Josef to court and marry Helene, Princess Ludovika's eldest daughter. But Franz Josef was more interested in the 15-year-old Elisabeth. He married Elisabeth only eight months after their first meeting, on April 24, 1854.
• 

  (#11) Elisabeth Was An Iconoclast Who Spent Great Lengths Of Time Away From Home

  Elisabeth was not suited for a submissive, polite lifestyle. Many royals focused on their lineage, appearances, and producing as many male heirs as possible. Elisabeth, one the other hand, chafed at the egregiously formal, protocol-driven atmosphere of the Austrian court. After she gave birth to Crown Prince Rudolf she suffered a physical collapse that indicated that she might have tuberculosis. Her doctors recommended that she travel to a more tropical climate.

  She stayed on the Portuguese island of Madeira without her children or husband for six months. She so enjoyed the hiatus that she began traveling on a frequent basis. As she aged, her involvement in politics grew, and she influenced her husband on matters of state, especially in Hungary. By the end of her life, she spent virtually no time in Vienna. She believed Vienna caused her to become ill, displaying what many believe were psychosomatic symptoms.
• 

  (#9) Elisabeth Would Not Allow Photographs

  Despite her renowned beauty and dedication to maintaining her looks, Elisabeth refused to sit for portraits or allow formal photographs beginning at the age of 32. She was famous for riding on horseback or walking in public with a fan or parasol covering her face to prevent people from photographing her.
• 

  (#8) Elisabeth Was Assassinated By An Italian Anarchist On the Streets Of Geneva

  By 1898, the Empress Elisabeth only spent a few weeks out of the year in Vienna, opting instead to travel around Europe. In September of that year, Elisabeth planned to take a steamboat across Lake Geneva to Montreux. Elisabeth left her hotel for the short walk along the lake to the ship's boarding area. 

  Italian anarchist and fanatic Luigi Lucheni stalked Elisabeth and discovered she was staying at the hotel Beau Rivage. He approached the unprotected empress, appeared to stumble, and braced himself by leaning on Elisabeth. He stabbed her with an industrial file attached to a wooden handle, penetrating her heart and lungs. Because of Elisabeth's extremely tight corset, however, she didn't feel pain from the wound and successfully made her way to the ship. Only a few minutes after the craft's departure, Elisabeth collapsed and died. Authorities immediately arrested Lucheni, placed him on trial, and gave him a life sentence. He hanged himself in 1910.

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking