germanaustriannoblesandroyals: Minor Nobles (07/?) & Mistresses (04/?): Baroness Marie &ldqu
germanaustriannoblesandroyals: Minor Nobles (07/?) & Mistresses (04/?): Baroness Marie “Mary” of VetseraMarie, better known by her nickname Mary, was the youngest of four children by Baron Albin of Vetsera and his wife Helene Baltazzi. Helene was a socially ambitious woman and wanted to find a husband of rank for her daughter. Marie supposedly once said she felt unloved by her mother and only seen as tool to marry her off at the best advantage.Marie was sent to a finishing school from ages 12 to 17 where she was educated in French, music, drawing, dancing, and handicrafts. Her mother threw many parties to socialze with the upper class and aristocracy of Vienna and to introduce her daughters to suitable men. Marie became famous for her elegance and taste in fashion.As a girl, Marie began to adore the young Crown Prince Rudolf. She met him for the first time in 1888 at a horserace. Most likely her uncle and his lover Countess Larisch, a cousin of Rudolf, introduced them to one another. After this meeting, Marie’s French teacher supposedly noticed a change in behaviour. She basically became obsessed with Rudolf, reading every article about him in the magazines, collecting photos and gathering information about him. Once her mother noticed this, she travelled with Marie to England to distract her, hoping this teenage obsession would end.It did not. After an exchange of letters, the first private meeting between Rudolf and Marie was probably in early November of 1888. Many would follow until January. The meetings were arranged by Countess Larisch, Rudolf’s personal fiacre Josef Bratfisch, and Marie’s maid Agnes Jahoda. During this time also a nud portrait of Marie was painted, most likely at the request of Rudolf, which today can be found in the Wiener Hofmobiliendepotcollection.The tragedy that Marie is remembered for most began on January 28th, 1889. Rudolf and Marie spent the day at Mayerling castle. Rudolf had spent the previous night with his confidant and mistress Mizzi Kaspar, the woman he had actually chosen for his plan but who had denied his wish. Marie and Rudolf were found dead on January 30th, 1889. Marie had been killed by a head shot from close distance. Because the bullet entered the head on the left but Marie was right-handed, it is very likely she did not shoot herself but was shot by the only other person in the room: Rudolf, who killed himself serveral hours later. In 2015, a farewell letter of Marie was found. If the rumour is true that Rudolf only began a relationship with Marie because he thought her an ideal “partner” for his suicide can currently not be proven by documents.Ever since her death her grave has been defiled serveral times. First in 1945 by the Sowjets, and again in December 1992. She was reburied on July 7th, 1959, and October 28th, 1993, respectively. Her first elaborately decorated copper coffin resurfaced in 2007 and was restored. Since 2012, it is part of the exhibition at Mayerling castle.// Vittoria Puccini as Mary Vetsera in The Crown Prince (2006) -- source link
#history#19th century