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Birth and family -

Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie was born on December 24, 1837, in Munich, Bavaria, into the Wittelsbach family, a prominent German royal dynasty. Pictured is the Herzog-Max-Palais where she was born.

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Her famous nickname -

She was affectionately called "Sisi" or "Sissi" by her family and close acquaintances, a name that has become iconic. 

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Unconventional upbringing -

Sisi grew up in a liberal household, enjoying outdoor activities like horse riding and hiking, which shaped her free-spirited personality.

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Betrothed by chance -

Originally intended to marry her sister Helene (pictured), Emperor Franz Joseph fell in love with 15-year-old Sisi during a family visit to Bad Ischl in 1853. Elisabeth, however, felt little affection for the Emperor, describing him as conservative and humorless.

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Married young -

Sisi married Franz Joseph on April 24, 1854, at the age of 16, becoming the Empress of Austria. She was seen crying during the procession in Vienna, aware of the stifling imperial life awaiting her at the court.

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Struggles with court life -

Life at the Hofburg Palace contrasted starkly with her upbringing. Overwhelmed by court etiquette and constant scrutiny, Sisi found herself at odds with her role as Empress.

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Clashes with Archduchess Sophie -

Sisi's mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie (front row, seated, second from left), disapproved of her and openly undermined her authority, particularly as a mother, controlling the upbringing of Elisabeth’s children.

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Beauty icon of her era -

Sisi was considered one of the most beautiful women of her time, admired for her slender figure and long, flowing chestnut hair. 

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Elaborate beauty rituals -

Her hair care took up to three hours daily, and she followed extreme diets and fitness regimens to maintain her figure. This portrait was supposedly one of Emperor Franz Joseph's favorite paintings of his wife.

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All about physical fitness -

She was passionate about exercise, setting up private gyms in her residences and excelling in horseback riding, hiking, and fencing.

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Unconventional diets -

Whenever Elisabeth's weight approached 50 kilos (110 pounds), she embarked on "fasting cures," nearly eliminating food. Disgusted by meat, she consumed thin soups made from beef juice or subsisted on milk and eggs.

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Provided a male heir -

Sisi's first child, Sophie, was born in 1855, followed by Gisela in 1856. In 1858, she gave birth to Crown Prince Rudolf, providing the empire with a long-awaited male heir. Later, in 1868, her youngest daughter, Marie Valerie, was born. 

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The death of her daughter Sophie -

In 1857, her first daughter, Sophie, died of illness during a family trip, deepening Sisi's struggles with depression. Sophie was two years old. 

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Deep affection for Hungary -

Sisi felt a profound connection to Hungary, even learning its language to immerse herself in its culture. She became a key advocate for the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which granted Hungary greater autonomy.

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Crowned Queen of Hungary -

Franz Joseph and Sisi were crowned King and Queen of Hungary in 1867, solidifying her bond with the Hungarian people.

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A linguistic talent -

The Empress used her morning routine not only for grooming but also for studying languages. She was fluent in German, French, Hungarian, and English, and even pursued modern Greek with dedication.​

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Poet and writer -

Sisi wrote Heine-inspired poetry, calling herself Titania after Shakespeare's Fairy Queen. Her romantic poems, often secret diaries, reflected her travels, classical Greek and romantic themes, and sharp critiques of the Habsburg dynasty.

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Love of travel -

On her imperial steamer Miramar, the Empress explored the Mediterranean, favoring Cape Martin and Corfu. She also ventured to less traditional royal destinations like Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, and Egypt. Reflecting on her journeys, she remarked, "If I arrived at a place and knew that I could never leave it again, the whole stay would become hell despite being paradise."

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Avoided public appearances -

From her 30s onward, Sisi avoided public appearances and refused to be photographed or painted, fearing the effects of aging.

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Mayerling incident -

The Mayerling incident refers to the tragic events surrounding the deaths of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria, and his 17-year-old mistress, Mary Vetsera. 

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Imperial hunting lodge -

On January 30, 1889, their bodies were found in an imperial hunting lodge near Vienna, with evidence suggesting a murder-suicide. Rudolf, aged 30, was married to Princess Stéphanie of Belgium.

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Perpetual mourning -

After Rudolf's death, Sisi wore only black for the rest of her life, withdrawing further from public and court life.

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Mental health struggles -

Sisi suffered from depression and an eating disorder, struggles compounded by the demands of her imperial duties and personal tragedies.

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Risking her life -

In 1898, despite warnings of assassination attempts, the 60-year-old Empress traveled incognito to Geneva, but her identity was revealed when someone at the Hôtel Beau-Rivage disclosed her presence. This was the last photograph taken of Sisi in Switzerland, a week before her death. 

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Anarchist assassination -

On Saturday, September 10, 1898, Sisi and her lady-in-waiting, Countess Irma Sztáray, were walking to catch a steamship in Geneva when Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni approached and fatally stabbed her with a needle file. She had been the Empress of Austria for 44 years. 

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Unplanned target -

Lucheni initially intended to kill the Duke of Orléans, but after learning he had left Geneva, he targeted the Empress upon discovering that she was there in a newspaper. He was later tried as a common murderer, declared sane, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Denied the chance for a political statement, he attempted suicide in 1900 and ultimately hanged himself in 1910.

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Empress Elisabeth of Austria -

As Geneva mourned, Sisi's body was placed in a triple coffin, with glass panels for viewing. Her funeral train journeyed to Vienna, where the coffin was marked "Empress of Austria" before adding "Queen of Hungary." On September 17, a grand procession led her to the Imperial Crypt.

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Immortalized in Vienna -

Statues, exhibits, and memorials across Vienna honor Sisi, celebrating her as one of Austria's most enduring figures.

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Portrayal in arts -

Sisi's life has inspired numerous films, plays, books, and TV series, including the Netflix miniseries 'The Empress,' starring Turkish-German actress Devrim Lingnau (pictured).

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Legacy of an Empress -

Her legacy lives on in both cultural and historical memory, with her life seen as both glamorous and tragic. Sisi famously declared, "I want always to be on the move," capturing her restless spirit and aversion to confinement.

Sources: (History Extra) (Tatler) (Britannica) 

See also: Last words of royals throughout history

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