Elizabeth “Sissi” von Oesterreich  1837- 1898 Elizabeth von Oesterreich had a fairly inf

Elizabeth “Sissi” von Oesterreich  1837- 1898 Elizabeth von Oesterreich had a fairly informal childhood compared to most royals. She spent a lot of time in the countryside with her siblings, her parents had no official obligations to the royal court so her childhood was very easy going.  In 1853, Sissi met Franz Joseph. Franz was meant to marry Sissi’s sister but he and Sissi fell in love. When Sissi was sixteen the two married but love faded from the relationship. Sissi was used to the life she lived in her childhood, when she was more independant. She was not happy with the strict protocol of the royal court. Her step mother and husband were heavily involved with opposing the revolutionary and separatist tendencies in the Habsburg empire. Sissi was unacquainted with these politics and had trouble adjusting to this life. Her mother in law tried to help Sissi and acted harshly. She took her children, sending Sissi into depression, and sent her away from her home as an invalid.  When Sissi returned she was more confident in the politics of her country. She took control of issues involving Hungary, Austria’s neighbor. In 1867, she was crowned Queen of Hungary. As a gift for the coronation, Sissi was presented with a residence in Gödölló, where she and her husband began living. Sissi’s Austrian subjects felt neglected that the queen would live outside her first country. They dubbed the child she had in Hungary “the Hungarian Child” and said that if she had been a boy, Sissi would have named him after Hungary’s patron saint.  Sissi was widely known for her beauty, and the time she spent on it. She was anorexic at times and spent three hours daily taking care of her long hair. While Sissi’s hairdresser took care of Sissi’s hair, the Monarch would study languages. During that time she learned three new languages. She tested many beauty products but preferred not to use them often, natural beauty was most valuable to Sissi. She slept without a pillow, believing this would help her maintain better posture. She bathed in olive oil and had face masks made from fresh fruit and other natural products to apply to her face daily. The beauty of the Queen made her very popular in Austria. In 1870, Sissi withdrew from the public life. She lived quietly until 1898. While leaving Geneva, Sissi was attacked by anarchist Luigi Lucheni. He stabbed Sissi and ran. She did not die immediately but the assassination was successful. Sissi did not initially realize she was hurt because of her tight corset. She died on boat that was meant to take her from Geneva. Luigi was sentenced to life in prison, he was found hung in his cell in 1910- apparently a suicide.  Sissi became a subject in pop culture in the fifties with Ernst Marischka’s films. Sissi was featured in earlier films but not as the main character.   -- source link
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