Sissi and Franz: dream wedding for the 19 Century

At their wedding on April 24, 1854 that were seen as a dream couple: Elisabeth, Empress of Austria - Sissi - and Emperor Franz Joseph. But the marriage was fraught with many problems and life events.

Mainly by the success of Sissi movies to know more about Elizabeth than her husband. Just a reigning monarch in Europe has attracted much attention as the Empress of Austria and queen of Hungary. Sissi is in its people by their appearance and character, very popular and successful films of the fifties who enjoys cult status real Austrian border.

A happy childhood
Sissi is the second oldest daughter of Duke Maximilian of Bavaria and Duchess Ludovica. As a child, she spends the summer months, along with his seven brothers Possenhofen near Lake Starnberg. There, children in the open, rural romp, play and travel. Elizabeth was always a wild child, sensitive and loving of freedom.

In the summer of 1853 taught the 15-year-old Emperor Franz Joseph I meet her future husband, in Bad Ischl. You must then Helene Princess Sissi, the Bavarian sister are presented, but everything is different.

The young Empress
By chance he meets Isabel falls in love with her ​​and the next day to celebrate the commitment of two. On April 24, 1854 the couple married the most beautiful and richest in the world - as the press - in the Augustinian Church in Vienna. The wedding is the dream wedding of the 19 century. In Vienna, a celebration of the week. But the mother of Emperor Franz is from the outset against the compound. Sissi is too young and uneducated. People, however, admires and loves beauty and naturalness Sissy.

Sissi in the Vienna Hofburg
The wedding begins for the young empress a very difficult time. Sissi, accustomed to freedom, is forced on the label of the Viennese court. At that time morality in society and especially in the imperial court in Vienna were very strict and forced.

1858 meets its primary obligation of the Empress Elisabeth: she brings two daughters of the crown prince as expected for the world. Sophie, Gisela and Rudolf can not stay with his mother. Archduchess Sophie believes it must provide appropriate education and accepts the supervision of children. Relationship between Sissi and the law is too bad to worse.

Franz can not help. The emperor should be the care of many political problems in the country. Civil unrest have shaken Europe tremble, and the rulers. The young emperor of 38 million people to rule and prevent the disintegration of the monarchy, and his wife both own.

Sissi runs a cult of beauty
Empress Elisabeth is a melancholy and nostalgia. This is increasingly the same Sissi aware of its beauty and operates a cult of beauty around them. With a size of 1.72 m, weighs only 50 kg. To maintain this look, they undergo a strict diet and excessive driving sport. In the Vienna Hofburg Sissi can create your own "gym. " They stoned every day, is also taking long walks and walking. She is especially proud of her hair. You who walk to the heel to take several hours per day for care.

The Empress is removed
Self-presentation and the cult of beauty take their toll. Sissi to squeeze a constant concern for themselves is the extent to which cancels important ceremonial duties of the court, without notice, only because they are dissatisfied with their appearance. As it grows, hiding from the photographers behind the shelves and displays. Finally, you can take pictures all over. The diets of many weaken their bodies and Sissi seriously ill.

Fateful year
But Sissi suffer further setbacks. In 1857 their first daughter Sophie died just two years. For months, Elizabeth withdrew to their rooms and pray and seek solace in church. Events for parties, diplomatic receptions and even talk to Francis Joseph refuses. Ten years later, his brother, Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, shot and killed by insurgents. His wife Charlotte is crazy.

With the death of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, is lost even a close friend. Setbacks Sissi increased loneliness. Then, when even the suicide of his son Rudolf committed, can not recover from this blow. Elizabeth was removed and only black clothes. She travels all alone and restless throughout the world to escape their personal problems. Separated from her husband all the time.

Death in Geneva
His latest journey takes them to Geneva. There, the Empress is killed September 10, 1898. The monarchy's opponents Lucheni Luigi stand with a polished nail for the heart. At first the damage did not realize Sissi and raise even a waiting ship. There, she collapses. His last words were: "What really happened to me?" Then she fainted and died on September 10, 1898. Kaiser Franz Joseph survived his wife of nearly 20 years. Regency dies after a 68-year-old of 1916 in Vienna.