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Empress Elisabeth of Austria
Empress Elisabeth of Austria (born Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria; 24 December 1837 – 10 September 1898) was Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary by marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I. She was the longest reigning Empress of Austria at 44 years.
She was born into the royal Bavarian House of Wittelsbach. Nicknamed Sisi (also Sissi), she enjoyed an informal upbringing before marrying Emperor Franz Joseph I at the age of sixteen. The marriage thrust her into the much more formal Habsburg court life, for which she was unprepared and which she found uncongenial. Early in the marriage she was at odds with her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, who took over the rearing of Elisabeth's daughters, one of whom, Sophie, died in infancy. The birth of the heir apparent, Crown Prince Rudolf, improved her standing at court, but her health suffered under the strain, and she would often visit Hungary for its more relaxed environment. She came to develop a deep kinship with Hungary, and helped to bring about the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867.
The death of her only son and his mistress Mary Vetsera in a murder–suicide at his hunting lodge at Mayerling in 1889 was a blow from which Elisabeth never recovered. She withdrew from court duties and travelled widely, unaccompanied by her family.
In 1890, she had a palace built on the Greek Island of Corfu that she visited often. The palace, Achilleion, featuring an elaborate mythological motif, served as a refuge.
All through her life, Sissi was obsessively concerned with maintaining her youthful figure and beauty, which were already legendary during her lifetime. While travelling in Geneva in 1898, she was mortally wounded by an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni.
She was born into the royal Bavarian House of Wittelsbach. Nicknamed Sisi (also Sissi), she enjoyed an informal upbringing before marrying Emperor Franz Joseph I at the age of sixteen. The marriage thrust her into the much more formal Habsburg court life, for which she was unprepared and which she found uncongenial. Early in the marriage she was at odds with her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, who took over the rearing of Elisabeth's daughters, one of whom, Sophie, died in infancy. The birth of the heir apparent, Crown Prince Rudolf, improved her standing at court, but her health suffered under the strain, and she would often visit Hungary for its more relaxed environment. She came to develop a deep kinship with Hungary, and helped to bring about the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867.
The death of her only son and his mistress Mary Vetsera in a murder–suicide at his hunting lodge at Mayerling in 1889 was a blow from which Elisabeth never recovered. She withdrew from court duties and travelled widely, unaccompanied by her family.
In 1890, she had a palace built on the Greek Island of Corfu that she visited often. The palace, Achilleion, featuring an elaborate mythological motif, served as a refuge.
All through her life, Sissi was obsessively concerned with maintaining her youthful figure and beauty, which were already legendary during her lifetime. While travelling in Geneva in 1898, she was mortally wounded by an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1867 photo by Emil Rabending
Full name: Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie
birth place: Munich,Kingdom of Bavaria
birth date: 24 December 1837
zodiac sign: Capricorn
death place: Geneva,Switzerland
death date: 10 September 1898
Occupation: Empress of Austria & Queen of Hungary
Languages: Deutsche, Hungarian,English, French, Greek
birth place: Munich,Kingdom of Bavaria
birth date: 24 December 1837
zodiac sign: Capricorn
death place: Geneva,Switzerland
death date: 10 September 1898
Occupation: Empress of Austria & Queen of Hungary
Languages: Deutsche, Hungarian,English, French, Greek
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height / taille / altezza / alto / Größe / 高さ / 高度: 172cm(5 feet 8 inches) weight / poids / peso / Gewicht / 重量: 50 kg (110 lb) chest / poitrine / busto / pechos / brustumfang / バスト / 胸围： waist / taille / vita / talle / Taillenweite /ウエスト周囲 / 腰围：55cm hip / bassin / fianchi / caldera / Hüftumfang / 股関節周囲 / 臀围 ： shoe size / chaussure / calzature / calzado / Schuhgröße / 靴のサイズ / 鞋码: |
The destined engagement of Sissi the princess of Bavaria
Born Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie on 24 December 1837 in Munich, Bavaria, she was the third child and second daughter of Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria and Princess Ludovika of Bavaria, the half-sister of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Maximilian was considered to be rather peculiar; he had a childish love of circuses and traveled the Bavarian countryside to escape his duties. 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.
In 1853, Princess Sophie of Bavaria, the domineering mother of 23-year-old Emperor Franz Joseph, arranged a marriage between her son and her sister Ludovika's eldest daughter, Helene ("Néné").
The Duchess and Helene were invited to journey to the resort of Bad Ischl, Upper Austria to receive his formal proposal of marriage. 15-year-old Sisi accompanied her mother and sister. They arrived late and the coach with their gala dresses never did arrive. The family was still in mourning over the death of an aunt so they were dressed in black and unable to change to more suitable clothing before meeting the young Emperor. While black did not suit 18-year-old Helene's dark coloring, it made her younger sister's blonder looks more striking by contrast.
Helene was a pious, quiet young woman, and she and Franz Joseph felt ill at ease in each other's company, but he was instantly infatuated with her younger sister. He did not propose to Helene, but defied his mother and informed her that if he could not have Elisabeth, he would not marry at all. Five days later their betrothal was officially announced.
In 1853, Princess Sophie of Bavaria, the domineering mother of 23-year-old Emperor Franz Joseph, arranged a marriage between her son and her sister Ludovika's eldest daughter, Helene ("Néné").
The Duchess and Helene were invited to journey to the resort of Bad Ischl, Upper Austria to receive his formal proposal of marriage. 15-year-old Sisi accompanied her mother and sister. They arrived late and the coach with their gala dresses never did arrive. The family was still in mourning over the death of an aunt so they were dressed in black and unable to change to more suitable clothing before meeting the young Emperor. While black did not suit 18-year-old Helene's dark coloring, it made her younger sister's blonder looks more striking by contrast.
Helene was a pious, quiet young woman, and she and Franz Joseph felt ill at ease in each other's company, but he was instantly infatuated with her younger sister. He did not propose to Helene, but defied his mother and informed her that if he could not have Elisabeth, he would not marry at all. Five days later their betrothal was officially announced.
Elisabeth and Franz Joseph in 1855
Troubled marriage
Elisabeth and Franz Joseph were married eight months 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 $240,000 USD today.
After enjoying an informal and unstructured childhood, Elisabeth, who was shy and introverted by nature, and more so among the stifling formality of Habsburg court life, had difficulty adapting to the Hofburg and its rigid protocols and strict etiquette. Within a few weeks, Elisabeth started to display health problems: she had fits of coughing and became anxious and frightened whenever she had to descend a narrow steep staircase.
Just ten months after her wedding, Elisabeth was pregnant and gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Archduchess Sophie of Austria (1855–1857), The elder Archduchess Sophie not only named the child after herself without consulting the mother, but took complete charge of the baby, refusing to allow Elisabeth to breastfeed or otherwise care for her own child. When a second daughter, Archduchess Gisela of Austria (1856–1932), was born a year later, the Archduchess took the baby away from Elisabeth as well.
Franz Joseph was passionately in love with his wife, but she did not reciprocate his feelings fully and felt increasingly stifled by the rigidness of court life. He was an unimaginative and sober man, a political reactionary who was still guided by his mother and her adherence to the strict Spanish Court Ceremonial regarding both his public and domestic life, whereas Elisabeth inhabited a different world altogether. Restless to the point of hyperactivity, naturally introverted, and emotionally distant from her husband, she fled him as well as her duties of life at court, avoiding them both as much as she could. He indulged her wanderings, but constantly and unsuccessfully tried to tempt her into a more domestic life with him.
Elisabeth slept very little and spent hours reading and writing at night, and even took up smoking, a shocking habit for women which made her the further subject of already avid gossip. She had a special interest in history, philosophy, and literature, and developed a profound reverence for the German lyric poet and radical political thinker, Heinrich Heine, whose letters she collected.
She tried to make a name for herself by writing Heine-inspired poetry. Referring to herself as Titania, Shakespeare's Fairy Queen, Elisabeth expressed her intimate thoughts and desires in a large number of romantic poems, which served as a type of secret diary.
After enjoying an informal and unstructured childhood, Elisabeth, who was shy and introverted by nature, and more so among the stifling formality of Habsburg court life, had difficulty adapting to the Hofburg and its rigid protocols and strict etiquette. Within a few weeks, Elisabeth started to display health problems: she had fits of coughing and became anxious and frightened whenever she had to descend a narrow steep staircase.
Just ten months after her wedding, Elisabeth was pregnant and gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Archduchess Sophie of Austria (1855–1857), The elder Archduchess Sophie not only named the child after herself without consulting the mother, but took complete charge of the baby, refusing to allow Elisabeth to breastfeed or otherwise care for her own child. When a second daughter, Archduchess Gisela of Austria (1856–1932), was born a year later, the Archduchess took the baby away from Elisabeth as well.
Franz Joseph was passionately in love with his wife, but she did not reciprocate his feelings fully and felt increasingly stifled by the rigidness of court life. He was an unimaginative and sober man, a political reactionary who was still guided by his mother and her adherence to the strict Spanish Court Ceremonial regarding both his public and domestic life, whereas Elisabeth inhabited a different world altogether. Restless to the point of hyperactivity, naturally introverted, and emotionally distant from her husband, she fled him as well as her duties of life at court, avoiding them both as much as she could. He indulged her wanderings, but constantly and unsuccessfully tried to tempt her into a more domestic life with him.
Elisabeth slept very little and spent hours reading and writing at night, and even took up smoking, a shocking habit for women which made her the further subject of already avid gossip. She had a special interest in history, philosophy, and literature, and developed a profound reverence for the German lyric poet and radical political thinker, Heinrich Heine, whose letters she collected.
She tried to make a name for herself by writing Heine-inspired poetry. Referring to herself as Titania, Shakespeare's Fairy Queen, Elisabeth expressed her intimate thoughts and desires in a large number of romantic poems, which served as a type of secret diary.
Birth of the heir to Austria and the love for Hungary
The fact that she had not produced a male heir made Elisabeth increasingly unwanted in the palace.
In 1857 Elisabeth visited Hungary for the first time with her husband and two daughters, and it left a deep and lasting impression upon her, probably because in Hungary she found a welcome respite from the constraints of Austrian court life. Unlike the archduchess, who despised the Hungarians, Elisabeth felt such an affinity for them that she began to learn Hungarian; the country reciprocated in its adoration of her.
This same trip proved tragic as both of Elisabeth's children became ill. While Gisela recovered quickly, two-year-old Sophie grew steadily weaker, then died. 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, and their relationship never recovered.
In December 1857 Elisabeth became pregnant for the third time, and on 21 August 1858, Elisabeth finally gave birth to an heir, Rudolf (1858–1889). The 101-gun salute announcing the welcome news to Vienna also signaled an increase in her influence at court. This, combined with her sympathy toward Hungary, made Elisabeth an ideal mediator between the Magyars and the emperor.
Her interest in politics had developed as she matured; she was liberal-minded, and placed herself decisively on the Hungarian side in the increasing conflict of nationalities within the empire. Elisabeth was a personal advocate for Hungarian Count Gyula Andrássy, who also was rumored to be her lover.
In 1857 Elisabeth visited Hungary for the first time with her husband and two daughters, and it left a deep and lasting impression upon her, probably because in Hungary she found a welcome respite from the constraints of Austrian court life. Unlike the archduchess, who despised the Hungarians, Elisabeth felt such an affinity for them that she began to learn Hungarian; the country reciprocated in its adoration of her.
This same trip proved tragic as both of Elisabeth's children became ill. While Gisela recovered quickly, two-year-old Sophie grew steadily weaker, then died. 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, and their relationship never recovered.
In December 1857 Elisabeth became pregnant for the third time, and on 21 August 1858, Elisabeth finally gave birth to an heir, Rudolf (1858–1889). The 101-gun salute announcing the welcome news to Vienna also signaled an increase in her influence at court. This, combined with her sympathy toward Hungary, made Elisabeth an ideal mediator between the Magyars and the emperor.
Her interest in politics had developed as she matured; she was liberal-minded, and placed herself decisively on the Hungarian side in the increasing conflict of nationalities within the empire. Elisabeth was a personal advocate for Hungarian Count Gyula Andrássy, who also was rumored to be her lover.
The Empress's last child and Hungarian Coronation
After having used every excuse to avoid pregnancy, Elisabeth later decided that she wanted a fourth child. Her decision was at once a deliberate personal choice and a political negotiation: by returning to the marriage, she ensured that Hungary, with which she felt an intense emotional alliance, would gain an equal footing with Austria.
The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 created the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. Andrássy was made the first Hungarian prime minister and in return, he saw that Franz Joseph and Elisabeth were officially crowned King and Queen of Hungary.
As a coronation gift, Hungary presented the royal couple with a country residence in Gödöllő, 32 kilometres (20 mi) east of Buda-Pest. In the next year, Elisabeth lived primarily in Gödöllő and Buda-Pest, where she gave birth to a daughter, Marie Valerie (1868–1924). Dubbed the "Hungarian child". Determined to bring this last child up by herself, Elisabeth finally had her way. She poured all her repressed maternal feelings on her youngest daughter to the point of nearly smothering her.
The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 created the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. Andrássy was made the first Hungarian prime minister and in return, he saw that Franz Joseph and Elisabeth were officially crowned King and Queen of Hungary.
As a coronation gift, Hungary presented the royal couple with a country residence in Gödöllő, 32 kilometres (20 mi) east of Buda-Pest. In the next year, Elisabeth lived primarily in Gödöllő and Buda-Pest, where she gave birth to a daughter, Marie Valerie (1868–1924). Dubbed the "Hungarian child". Determined to bring this last child up by herself, Elisabeth finally had her way. She poured all her repressed maternal feelings on her youngest daughter to the point of nearly smothering her.
Marie Valerie (1868–1924), last child and daughter of Empress Elisabeth
The mourning mother and traveling woman
After having achieved this victory, Elisabeth did not stay to enjoy it, but instead embarked on a life of travel, and saw little of her children. “If I arrived at a place and knew that I could never leave it again, the whole stay would become hell despite being paradise”.
In 1889 Elisabeth's life was shattered by the death of her only son Rudolf, who was found dead together with his young lover Baroness Mary Vetsera, in what was suspected to be a murder-suicide on Rudolf's part. The scandal was known as the Mayerling Incident after the location of Rudolf's hunting lodge in Lower Austria, where they were found.
Elisabeth never recovered from the tragedy, sinking further into melancholy. After Rudolf's death she was thought to have dressed only in black for the rest of her life, although a light blue and cream dress discovered by The Hofburg's Sisi Museum dates to this time.
In 1889 Elisabeth's life was shattered by the death of her only son Rudolf, who was found dead together with his young lover Baroness Mary Vetsera, in what was suspected to be a murder-suicide on Rudolf's part. The scandal was known as the Mayerling Incident after the location of Rudolf's hunting lodge in Lower Austria, where they were found.
Elisabeth never recovered from the tragedy, sinking further into melancholy. After Rudolf's death she was thought to have dressed only in black for the rest of her life, although a light blue and cream dress discovered by The Hofburg's Sisi Museum dates to this time.
Elisabeth The Empress, 1893
The Mayerling scandal increased public interest in Elisabeth, and she continued to be an icon and a sensation in her own right wherever she went. She wore long black dresses that could be buttoned up at the bottom, and carried a white parasol made of leather in addition to a concealing fan to hide her face from the curious.
After her son's death, Elisabeth commissioned the building of a palace on the Island of Corfu which she named the Achilleion, after Homer's hero Achilles in The Iliad. After her death, the building was purchased by German Emperor Wilhelm II. Later it was acquired by the nation of Greece (now Greek National Tourism Organization) and converted to a museum.
On her journeys, Elisabeth sought to avoid all public attention and crowds of people. She was mostly travelling incognito, using pseudonyms like 'Countess of Hohenembs'. Elisabeth also refused to meet European monarchs when she did not feel like it. On her high-speed walking tours, which lasted several hours, she was mostly accompanied by her Greek language tutors or her ladies-in-waiting. Countess Irma Sztáray, her last lady-in-waiting, describes the reclusive and highly sensitive empress as a natural, liberal and modest character, as a good listener and keen observer with great intellect.
After her son's death, Elisabeth commissioned the building of a palace on the Island of Corfu which she named the Achilleion, after Homer's hero Achilles in The Iliad. After her death, the building was purchased by German Emperor Wilhelm II. Later it was acquired by the nation of Greece (now Greek National Tourism Organization) and converted to a museum.
On her journeys, Elisabeth sought to avoid all public attention and crowds of people. She was mostly travelling incognito, using pseudonyms like 'Countess of Hohenembs'. Elisabeth also refused to meet European monarchs when she did not feel like it. On her high-speed walking tours, which lasted several hours, she was mostly accompanied by her Greek language tutors or her ladies-in-waiting. Countess Irma Sztáray, her last lady-in-waiting, describes the reclusive and highly sensitive empress as a natural, liberal and modest character, as a good listener and keen observer with great intellect.
Elisabeth in mourning dress by Philip de László, 1899
Death
Purported last photograph taken of Elisabeth at Territet, Switzerland, a week before her death
In 1898, despite warnings of possible assassination attempts, the 60-year-old Elisabeth traveled incognito to Geneva, Switzerland. However, someone from the Hôtel Beau-Rivage revealed that the Empress of Austria was their guest.
At 1:35 p.m. on Saturday 10 September 1898, Elisabeth and Countess Irma Sztáray de Sztára et Nagymihály, her lady-in-waiting, left the hotel on the shore of Lake Geneva on foot to catch the steamship Genève for Montreux. Since the empress despised processions, she insisted that they walk without the other members of her entourage.
They were walking along the promenade when the 25-year-old Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni approached them, and stabbed Elisabeth with a sharpened needle file. After Lucheni struck her, the empress collapsed.
The two women walked roughly 100 yards (91 m) to the gangway and boarded, at which point Sztáray relaxed her hold on Elisabeth's arm. The empress then lost consciousness and collapsed next to her.
Elisabeth was carried back to hotel Beau-Rivage was pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m. Countess Sztáray closed Elisabeth's eyes and joined her hands.
On Wednesday morning, Elisabeth's body was carried back to Vienna aboard a funeral train. The inscription on her coffin read, “Elisabeth, Empress of Austria”. At the time of her death, Elisabeth had been the Empress of Austria for 44 years.
The Hungarians were outraged and the words, “and Queen of Hungary” were hastily added. The entire Austro-Hungarian Empire was in deep mourning; 82 sovereigns and high-ranking nobles followed her funeral cortege on the morning of 17 September to the tomb in the Capuchin Church.
At 1:35 p.m. on Saturday 10 September 1898, Elisabeth and Countess Irma Sztáray de Sztára et Nagymihály, her lady-in-waiting, left the hotel on the shore of Lake Geneva on foot to catch the steamship Genève for Montreux. Since the empress despised processions, she insisted that they walk without the other members of her entourage.
They were walking along the promenade when the 25-year-old Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni approached them, and stabbed Elisabeth with a sharpened needle file. After Lucheni struck her, the empress collapsed.
The two women walked roughly 100 yards (91 m) to the gangway and boarded, at which point Sztáray relaxed her hold on Elisabeth's arm. The empress then lost consciousness and collapsed next to her.
Elisabeth was carried back to hotel Beau-Rivage was pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m. Countess Sztáray closed Elisabeth's eyes and joined her hands.
On Wednesday morning, Elisabeth's body was carried back to Vienna aboard a funeral train. The inscription on her coffin read, “Elisabeth, Empress of Austria”. At the time of her death, Elisabeth had been the Empress of Austria for 44 years.
The Hungarians were outraged and the words, “and Queen of Hungary” were hastily added. The entire Austro-Hungarian Empire was in deep mourning; 82 sovereigns and high-ranking nobles followed her funeral cortege on the morning of 17 September to the tomb in the Capuchin Church.
Queen of eternal youth and beauty
At 172 cm (5 feet 8 inches), Elisabeth was unusually tall. Even after four pregnancies she maintained her weight at approximately 50 kg (110 pounds, 7 st 12 lbs) for the rest of her life. She achieved this through fasting and exercise, such as gymnastics and riding.
In deep mourning after her daughter Sophie's death, Elisabeth refused to eat for days; a behavior that would reappear in later periods of melancholy and depression. Whereas she previously had supper with the family, she now began to avoid this; and if she did eat with them, she ate quickly and very little. Whenever her weight threatened to exceed fifty kilos, a "fasting cure" or "hunger cure" would follow, which involved almost complete fasting. Meat itself often filled her with disgust, so she either had the juice of half-raw beefsteaks squeezed into a thin soup, or else adhered to a diet of milk and eggs.
But meanwhile, there were some aberrations in Elisabeth's diet that appear to be signs of binge eating. On one occasion in 1878 the Empress astonished her travelling companions when she unexpectedly visited a restaurant incognito, where she drank champagne, ate a broiled chicken and an Italian salad, and finished with a "considerable quantity of cake". She may have satisfied her urge to binge in secret on other occasions; in 1881 she purchased an English country house and had a spiral staircase built from her living room into the kitchen, so that she could reach it in private.
The empress developed extremely rigorous and disciplined exercise habits. Every castle she lived in was equipped with a gymnasium, the Knights' Hall of the Hofburg was converted into one, mats and balance beams were installed in her bedchamber so that she could practise on them each morning, and the imperial villa at Ischl was fitted with gigantic mirrors so that she could correct every movement and position. She took up fencing in her 50s with equal discipline. A fervent horsewoman, she rode every day for hours on end, becoming probably the world's best, as well as best-known, female equestrian at the time. When, due to sciatica, she could no longer endure long hours in the saddle, she substituted walking.
With all the severe exercise regime and the fasting cures, the health state of Elisabeth was not stable, a little more than two years after giving birth to her son Rudolf, in October 1860 she was reported to suffer not only from "green-sickness" (anemia), but also from physical exhaustion, and had to go away on several occasions according to medical advice for the next two years, first in Madeira, Portugal, then in Corfu, Greece, and then Bad Kissingen, Bavaria.
Although on her return to Vienna in August 1862 just before her husband's birthday, a lady-in-waiting reported that “she eats properly, sleeps well, and does not tight-lace any more”,her clothing from this time until her death still measured only 47-49cm(18 1/2 – 19 1/2 inches) around the waist.
In the last years of her life, Elisabeth became even more restless and obsessive, weighing herself up to three times a day. She regularly took steam baths to prevent weight gain; by 1894 she had wasted away to near emaciation, reaching her lowest point of 95.7 lbs (43.5 kg).
In deep mourning after her daughter Sophie's death, Elisabeth refused to eat for days; a behavior that would reappear in later periods of melancholy and depression. Whereas she previously had supper with the family, she now began to avoid this; and if she did eat with them, she ate quickly and very little. Whenever her weight threatened to exceed fifty kilos, a "fasting cure" or "hunger cure" would follow, which involved almost complete fasting. Meat itself often filled her with disgust, so she either had the juice of half-raw beefsteaks squeezed into a thin soup, or else adhered to a diet of milk and eggs.
But meanwhile, there were some aberrations in Elisabeth's diet that appear to be signs of binge eating. On one occasion in 1878 the Empress astonished her travelling companions when she unexpectedly visited a restaurant incognito, where she drank champagne, ate a broiled chicken and an Italian salad, and finished with a "considerable quantity of cake". She may have satisfied her urge to binge in secret on other occasions; in 1881 she purchased an English country house and had a spiral staircase built from her living room into the kitchen, so that she could reach it in private.
The empress developed extremely rigorous and disciplined exercise habits. Every castle she lived in was equipped with a gymnasium, the Knights' Hall of the Hofburg was converted into one, mats and balance beams were installed in her bedchamber so that she could practise on them each morning, and the imperial villa at Ischl was fitted with gigantic mirrors so that she could correct every movement and position. She took up fencing in her 50s with equal discipline. A fervent horsewoman, she rode every day for hours on end, becoming probably the world's best, as well as best-known, female equestrian at the time. When, due to sciatica, she could no longer endure long hours in the saddle, she substituted walking.
With all the severe exercise regime and the fasting cures, the health state of Elisabeth was not stable, a little more than two years after giving birth to her son Rudolf, in October 1860 she was reported to suffer not only from "green-sickness" (anemia), but also from physical exhaustion, and had to go away on several occasions according to medical advice for the next two years, first in Madeira, Portugal, then in Corfu, Greece, and then Bad Kissingen, Bavaria.
Although on her return to Vienna in August 1862 just before her husband's birthday, a lady-in-waiting reported that “she eats properly, sleeps well, and does not tight-lace any more”,her clothing from this time until her death still measured only 47-49cm(18 1/2 – 19 1/2 inches) around the waist.
In the last years of her life, Elisabeth became even more restless and obsessive, weighing herself up to three times a day. She regularly took steam baths to prevent weight gain; by 1894 she had wasted away to near emaciation, reaching her lowest point of 95.7 lbs (43.5 kg).
"Children are the curse of a woman, for when they come, they drive away Beauty, which is the best gift of the gods".
--- Empress(Elisabeth) of Austria
In addition to her rigorous exercise regimen, Elisabeth practiced demanding beauty routines. Daily care of her abundant and extremely long hair, which in time turned from the dark blonde of her youth to chestnut brunette, took at least three hours. Her hair was so long and heavy that she often complained that the weight of the elaborate double braids and pins gave her headaches. Her hairdresser, Franziska Feifalik, was originally a stage hairdresser at the Wiener Burgtheater. Responsible for all of Elisabeth's ornate hairstyles, she generally accompanied her on her wanderings. Feifalik was forbidden to wear rings and required to wear white gloves; after hours of dressing, braiding, and pinning up the Empress' tresses, the hairs that fell out had to be presented in a silver bowl to her reproachful empress for inspection. When her hair was washed with a combination of eggs and cognac once every two weeks, all activities and obligations were cancelled for that day. Before her son's death, she tasked Feifalik with tweezing gray hairs away.
Elisabeth used these captive hours during grooming to learn languages; she spoke fluent English and French, and added modern Greek to her Hungarian studies.
Elisabeth used these captive hours during grooming to learn languages; she spoke fluent English and French, and added modern Greek to her Hungarian studies.
Hairdressing takes almost two hours, she said, and while my hair is busy, my mind stays idle. I am afraid that my mind escapes through the hair and onto the fingers of my hairdresser. Hence my headache afterwards. The Empress sat at a table which was moved to the middle of the room and covered with a white cloth. She was shrouded in a white, laced peignoir, her hair, unfastened and reaching to the floor, enfolded her entire body."
-- Constantin Christomanos, Greek tutor of Elisabeth on The Empress' hair coming and language learning ritual
Elisabeth used cosmetics and perfume sparingly, as she wished to showcase her natural beauty. On the other hand, to preserve her beauty, she tested countless beauty products prepared either in the court pharmacy or by a lady-in-waiting in her own apartments. She appeared to favor "Crème Céleste" (compounded from white wax, spermaceti, sweet almond oil, and rosewater), but preferred a wide variety of facial tonics and waters.
Her night and bedtime rituals were just as demanding. Elisabeth slept without a pillow on a metal bedstead, which she believed was better for retaining and maintaining her upright posture; either raw veal or crushed strawberries lined her nightly leather facial mask. She was also heavily massaged, and often slept with cloths soaked in either violet- or cider-vinegar above her hips to preserve her slim waist; her neck was wrapped with cloths soaked in Kummerfeld-toned washing water. To further preserve her skin tone, she took both a cold shower every morning (which in later years aggravated her arthritis) and an olive-oil bath in the evening.
After age thirty-two, she decided she did not want the public image of the eternal beauty challenged. Therefore, she did not sit for any more portraits, and would not allow any photographs. The few photos taken without her knowledge show a woman who was “graceful, but almost too slender”.
Her night and bedtime rituals were just as demanding. Elisabeth slept without a pillow on a metal bedstead, which she believed was better for retaining and maintaining her upright posture; either raw veal or crushed strawberries lined her nightly leather facial mask. She was also heavily massaged, and often slept with cloths soaked in either violet- or cider-vinegar above her hips to preserve her slim waist; her neck was wrapped with cloths soaked in Kummerfeld-toned washing water. To further preserve her skin tone, she took both a cold shower every morning (which in later years aggravated her arthritis) and an olive-oil bath in the evening.
After age thirty-two, she decided she did not want the public image of the eternal beauty challenged. Therefore, she did not sit for any more portraits, and would not allow any photographs. The few photos taken without her knowledge show a woman who was “graceful, but almost too slender”.
Legacy
Upon her death, Franz Joseph founded the Order of Elizabeth in memory of her.
Various memorial monument, statues of the Empress are also created in different locations in Europe including Slovakiathe and the place where she was assasinated
A large number of chapels were named in her honour, connecting her to Saint Elisabeth. Various parks were named after her and several sites in Hungary are named after her: two of Budapest's districts, Erzsébetváros and Pesterzsébet, and an Elisabeth Bridge connecting towns Komárno in Slovakia and Komárom in Hungary built in 1892 is named after Sissi.
Various residences that Elisabeth frequented are preserved and open to the public, including her Imperial Hofburg apartment and the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the Imperial Villa in Bad Ischl, the Achilleion on the Island of Corfu, and her summer residence in Gödöllő, Hungary. Her childhood family summer residence, Possenhofen Castle, houses the Empress Elizabeth Museum.
Various memorial monument, statues of the Empress are also created in different locations in Europe including Slovakiathe and the place where she was assasinated
A large number of chapels were named in her honour, connecting her to Saint Elisabeth. Various parks were named after her and several sites in Hungary are named after her: two of Budapest's districts, Erzsébetváros and Pesterzsébet, and an Elisabeth Bridge connecting towns Komárno in Slovakia and Komárom in Hungary built in 1892 is named after Sissi.
Various residences that Elisabeth frequented are preserved and open to the public, including her Imperial Hofburg apartment and the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the Imperial Villa in Bad Ischl, the Achilleion on the Island of Corfu, and her summer residence in Gödöllő, Hungary. Her childhood family summer residence, Possenhofen Castle, houses the Empress Elizabeth Museum.
In December 2014, to coincide with the presentation of the Pre-Fall 2015 'Metier d'arts' collection by luxury fashion house Chanel, shown in the Schloss Leopoldskronpalace, creative director Karl Lagerfeld directed a short film featuring Cara Delevingne as Empress Elisabeth accompanied by Pharrell Williams. During a dream sequence, the duo sing a song written by Williams entitled CC the World, playing on the iconic interlocking logo of the fashion house, the initials of its founder Coco Chanel, as well as the Empress's nickname 'Sisi'. Lagerfeld recreated the iconic gown worn by Elisabeth in the portrait by Winterhalter, whilst Pharrell takes on attire similar to Franz Joseph.
Cara Delevingne as Empress Elisabeth with Pharrell Williams as Franz Joseph for Karl Lagerfeld's short film 2014
In her youth Elisabeth followed the fashions of the age, which for many years were cage-crinolined hoop skirts,
but when fashion began to change, she was at the forefront of abandoning the hoop skirt for a tighter and leaner silhouette. While living in Budapest, she often shopped at the Budapest fashion house Antal Alter (now Alter és Kiss), which had become very popular with the fashion-crazed crowd.
She disliked both expensive accoutrements and the protocol that dictated constant changes of clothing, preferring simple, monochromatic riding habit-like attire. She never wore petticoats or any other "underlinen", as they added bulk, and was often literally sewn into her clothes, to bypass waistbands, creases, and wrinkles and to further emphasize the "wasp waist" that became her hallmark.
Elisabeth emphasised her extreme slenderness through the practice of "tight-lacing". During the peak period of 1859–60, which coincided with Franz-Joseph's political and military defeats in Italy, her sexual withdrawal from her husband after three pregnancies in rapid succession, and her losing battle with her mother-in-law for dominance in rearing her children, she reduced her waist to 40 cm (16 inches) in circumference. Corsets of the time were split-busk types, fastening up the front with hooks and eyes, but Elisabeth had more rigid, solid-front ones made in Paris out of leather, "like those of Parisian courtesans", probably to hold up under the stress of such strenuous lacing, "a proceeding which sometimes took quite an hour". The fact that "she only wore them for a few weeks" may indicate that even leather proved inadequate for her needs.
but when fashion began to change, she was at the forefront of abandoning the hoop skirt for a tighter and leaner silhouette. While living in Budapest, she often shopped at the Budapest fashion house Antal Alter (now Alter és Kiss), which had become very popular with the fashion-crazed crowd.
She disliked both expensive accoutrements and the protocol that dictated constant changes of clothing, preferring simple, monochromatic riding habit-like attire. She never wore petticoats or any other "underlinen", as they added bulk, and was often literally sewn into her clothes, to bypass waistbands, creases, and wrinkles and to further emphasize the "wasp waist" that became her hallmark.
Elisabeth emphasised her extreme slenderness through the practice of "tight-lacing". During the peak period of 1859–60, which coincided with Franz-Joseph's political and military defeats in Italy, her sexual withdrawal from her husband after three pregnancies in rapid succession, and her losing battle with her mother-in-law for dominance in rearing her children, she reduced her waist to 40 cm (16 inches) in circumference. Corsets of the time were split-busk types, fastening up the front with hooks and eyes, but Elisabeth had more rigid, solid-front ones made in Paris out of leather, "like those of Parisian courtesans", probably to hold up under the stress of such strenuous lacing, "a proceeding which sometimes took quite an hour". The fact that "she only wore them for a few weeks" may indicate that even leather proved inadequate for her needs.
Dresses
Suits and ensembles
Accessories
Jewellery
- Koechert Diamond Pearl known as the Sisi Star, a 10-pointed star of diamonds fanning out around one enormous pearl designed and made by court jeweler Jakob Heinrich Köchert for Elisabeth to wear in her hair; Two versions of the stars were created: a second type without a pearl center, was designed by court jeweller Rozet & Fischmeister.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria in Courtly Gala Dress with Diamond Stars by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1865
Articles
Books:
Videos:
Documentaries/Documentaires
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French: Secrets d'histoire - Sissi impératrice : amour, gloire et tragédie (Intégrale)
Retour sur la vie de Sissi, des trésors de la Vienne impériale aux lieux insolites et secrets où vécut l'impératrice d'Autriche, depuis la Grèce jusqu'en Hongrie. Avec la participation de Jean des Cars et Hortense Dufour, tous deux biographes de Sissi. Loin des images radieuses de cinéma avec Romy Schneider, on découvre le portrait de la véritable Elisabeth, impératrice d'Autriche. Au-delà de l'imagerie populaire de la jeune princesse bavaroise propulsée au-devant des cours d'Europe du XIXe siècle par un coup du sort, le destin de Sissi, c'est aussi et surtout celui, tragique et douloureux, d'une femme rebelle et moderne. De la jeune Bavaroise mélancolique à l'impératrice dont la beauté éblouit l'Europe, et qui mourut sous les coups d'un anarchiste italien à Genève, voici le portrait d'une femme résolument en avance sur son temps. |
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French: Sissi, impératrice d'Autriche Hongrie - Documentaire
Documentaire sur Sissi l'impératrice d'Autriche Hongrie Elisabeth de Wittelsbach dite Sissi Impératrice d'Autriche-Hongrie Née à Possenhofen, près de Starnberg, Bavière le 24 Décembre 1837 et décédée à Genève le 10 Septembre 1898. Ce documentaire met en valeur le rôle politique de l'Impératrice Elisabeth, négligé par les historiens, ainsi que ses goûts et ses passions. Les étapes importantes de sa vie sont largement évoquées, comme son mariage romantique avec le jeune Empereur François-Joseph, la disparition de son cousin le roi Louis II de Bavière et le drame de Mayerling. Cela à l'aide des nombreux souvenirs qu'elle a laissés tout au long de ses voyages, de Munich à Budapest, de Londres à Corfou et de Sassetot à Turin. En découvrant à travers ces images tous les lieux où elle vécut les événements marquants de sa vie, vous marcherez sur les pas de cette Impératrice de légende |
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French: Au coeur de l'histoire - Sissi et François Joseph l'histoire d'un véritable coup de foudre
Une foule immense, une traîne interminable et une pression monumentale… En 1854, l’empereur d’Autriche, François-Joseph épouse sa très belle cousine Elisabeth, née duchesse en Bavière. Dans ce nouvel épisode de "Au cœur de l'histoire", produit par Europe 1 Studio, Jean des Cars vous convie au mariage de Sissi. |
Films
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French: Sissi, The Rebelle Empress (With Arielle Dombasle)
A beautiful evocation of one of the most popular and least known characters in history. Blending flashbacks and introspection, the film builds to a fabulous climax in the time chosen for this final moment of soul-searching: a few hours before the Empress' assassination by a young Italian anarchist. 1898. A stunning woman dressed in black arrives in Geneva with her lady-in-waiting. Calling herself Madame Hohenembs and hiding her face behind a leather fan, the mystery woman is none other than Sissi, the Empress of Austria and Hungary. For one week, she recalls her heart-rending life with her friend and lifelong confidant, Dr. Meyer. At each meeting, she bares her soul to him, stripping her life of the gilded myths that have grown up around her: her arranged marriage to the Emperor of Austria, her constant battles with Archduchess Sophia, the suicide of her son, from which she never recovered, her thirst for freedom and independence. 7 days later, calm and appeased, she takes leave of him for the last time, unaware that she has one final rendezvous with destiny. |
Interviews
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Au cœur de l'histoire: Qui était vraiment Sissi ? (Franck Ferrand)
Franck Ferrand nous parle aujourd’hui de Sissi… L’impératrice Elisabeth d’Autriche, que l’on appelait Sissi dans sa famille et que le cinéma a popularisée sous ce nom – mais vous allez voir qu’il existe un abîme entre le personnage de fiction et la réalité… |
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Au cœur de l'histoire: François-Joseph et Sissi (Franck Ferrand)
François-Joseph et Sissi, le devoir et la rébellion, c’est le titre du nouveau livre de Jean des Cars. Il est l’invité de Franck Ferrand cet après-midi. Nous plongeons au cœur de l’histoire austro-hongroise. Et d’ailleurs, Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach nous fera visiter Vienne, sur les pas de Sissi, notamment la Hermes Villa, et les rives du Danube. |
Websites
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