66) The History of the Empress: Sissi (Elisabeth de Wittelsbach) 1854-1898

The history of Austria's empresses is rich and fascinating, marked by influential figures who played key roles in European politics and society. These women, each in their own way, marked the history of Austria and of Europe through their governance, their resilience in the face of personal and political challenges, and their lasting legacy.
Sissi (Elisabeth de Wittelsbach) 1854-1898
Empress of Austria
House of Habsburg-Lorraine (1780-1918)
Elisabeth of Wittelsbach, nicknamed Sissi, was the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary following her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I. Born in 1837 in Bavaria, she became famous for her exceptional beauty, her independent spirit and her resistance to the constraints of the imperial court.
Élisabeth was immediately thrust into public life after her marriage in 1854, a transition she found very difficult. She was not prepared for the rigid etiquettes and responsibilities of the Vienna court. As a result, she often traveled and sought escapes from her life at court.
She was also known for her love of poetry, her passion for horse riding, and her obsession with maintaining her figure, which included a strict diet and rigorous exercise.
His life was marked by personal tragedies, including the tragic death of his only son, Rodolphe, in what has been called the Mayerling Incident. Her mental health suffered and she became even more withdrawn.
Élisabeth was assassinated in 1898 by an Italian anarchist, Luigi Lucheni, in Geneva, Switzerland. Her assassination was widely publicized and she became a legendary figure after her death, often depicted as a tragic figure trapped by the circumstances of her royal life.