I was asked about 'Sissi' yesterday, and why the Germans are so nuts about her (and her fictional adaptations). Here's #5ThingsToKnow...
https://twitter.com/dw_culture/status/1341325538498109441
5. She had a (relatively) laid-back upbringing.
Elisabeth was born to Maximilian, Duke in Bavaria in 1837. While member of the royal Wittelsbach family, she wasn't the eldest daughter of the main branch and was allowed to, well, *mostly* do her own thing.
Elisabeth was born to Maximilian, Duke in Bavaria in 1837. While member of the royal Wittelsbach family, she wasn't the eldest daughter of the main branch and was allowed to, well, *mostly* do her own thing.
Unfortunately, she caught the eye of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, instead of her older sister, Helene. A marriage was arranged and 'Sissi', as she was named, was thrown into the midst of the stuffy Habsburg court.
4. Her Mother-In-Law was straight up monstrous.
'Sissi' was now to produce heirs. Empress Sophia, 'Sissi's' Mother-In-Law was domineering to the point of sadism about this, publishing defamatory pamphlets when she hadn't produced a male heir, ripping kids off her post birth.
'Sissi' was now to produce heirs. Empress Sophia, 'Sissi's' Mother-In-Law was domineering to the point of sadism about this, publishing defamatory pamphlets when she hadn't produced a male heir, ripping kids off her post birth.
'Sissi' had little involvement with her kid's strict education, and her marriage to Frank Joseph was... not great.
'Sissi' had a lot of time to herself, which meant that...
'Sissi' had a lot of time to herself, which meant that...
3. 'Sissi' most probably had an eating disorder, and exercised to the point of injury.
'Sissi' spent her days exercising wildly and restricting her diet to the point of anorexia.
There's her dresses - the fashion was for corsets, and she managed to get into *that*.
'Sissi' spent her days exercising wildly and restricting her diet to the point of anorexia.
There's her dresses - the fashion was for corsets, and she managed to get into *that*.
2. Her son died in a famous murder-suicide.
Her only son, Crown Prince Rudolf shot his lover, Marie Vetsera, then himself, as their relationship was not approved of by the Habsburgs. This occurred at the 'Mayerling' retreat, outside Vienna, on 30th January, 1889.
Her only son, Crown Prince Rudolf shot his lover, Marie Vetsera, then himself, as their relationship was not approved of by the Habsburgs. This occurred at the 'Mayerling' retreat, outside Vienna, on 30th January, 1889.
1. She was assassinated by an Italian anarchist.
On the 10th of September, 1898, she was stabbed by Luigi Lucheni, an anarchist, at Lake Geneva. She died later that day, after 44 years as Empress.
On the 10th of September, 1898, she was stabbed by Luigi Lucheni, an anarchist, at Lake Geneva. She died later that day, after 44 years as Empress.
'Sissi' is a bit of a 'Princess Di' style figure - a people's favourite who was somewhat stifled by the weight of royalty. Her early life was romanticised to the point of absurdity, and the Romy Schneider 'Sissi' films have loads to do with that.
To this day she's a cult figure, with musicals about her life currently touring.
Netflix is producing a series about her due next year, starring Devrim Lingnau - I wonder how accurate it'll be? /FIN.
Netflix is producing a series about her due next year, starring Devrim Lingnau - I wonder how accurate it'll be? /FIN.
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