THE EMPRESS ON CHRISTMAS

 

Her name was never mentioned in any history class of mine. I was well into my 30’s when I discovered this extraordinary woman, Elisabeth of Bavaria, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary.

I made certain to read everything I could about her. She became a favorite historical figure. This sovereign remains well known and revered in Europe but is mostly unknown here. In her time, she was known mostly by her nickname Sisi (pronounced Cee cee).

Elisabeth’s older sister was the one slated to marry the young Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. This was considered a done deal by their parents. But once Franz (a notorious horn dog) set eyes upon the beautiful 16-year-old teenager he defied even his controlling manipulative mother and married Sisi instead.

And this woman truly was the mother-in-law from hell with no concept of boundaries when it came to their marriage. She considered Elisabeth a silly young bride due to her quirkiness, often calling her unworthy and worthless.

Even after the birth of her two daughters, Elisabeth was unable to feel secure in her position. Her mother-in-law made it clear Elisabeth could be replaced and discarded due to the lack of a male heir. Fortunately, her next child was a son.

A few years back, TCM featured a European made 1950’s movie & sequel about the life of Elisabeth of Bavaria. I didn’t mind the captions/subtitles one bit. I recorded both and watched them on Christmas Day. It felt like a Christmas gift to myself. I enjoyed both although they played out like Disney films.

Recently PBS Passport ran a scripted series based on Elisabeth’s life, also with captions/subtitles. This one was more adult and interesting.

And early in this Christmas season I watched another more recent European movie about Elisabeth. -- Whether in Hollywood or Europe, lots of creative licenses were taken and facts distorted.

I’ve often wondered if these famous people from history are watching from another dimension and thinking: This is so embarrassing if I wasn’t already dead, I’d die! -- Or perhaps they’d be flattered to still be remembered.

For some reason, historical figures have always seemed more real to me than Hollywood celebrities, with a few exceptions.

In many ways, Empress Elisabeth compares to Princess Diana. Both were taller than average and independent spirits who didn’t care for royal protocol. Both were vain and style conscious. Elisabeth in her youth was considered the most beautiful woman in Europe.

Also, both were noted for their kindness and generosity, treating everyone as equals. They were heavily into more than just token charity work. Both actively used their positions to create a better world.

When traveling with their regal husbands both women easily upstaged and outshone them! Later they become estranged from their husbands, and free to enjoy separate lives.

As with Princess Di, the Empress suffered the paparazzi, gossip, and unwanted publicity leading to her death. We already know the details of Diana’s demise.

In Elisabeth’s case, she happened to be visiting Geneva, Switzerland traveling incognito. This was leaked to a newspaper along with the name of her hotel. An anarchist hellbent on assassinating a sovereign got wind of this and stalked her.

The Empress was stabbed in the heart with a sharpened file, murdered at age 60.

You can have Liz Taylor and her movies, marriages, & affairs. To me, Elisabeth of Bavaria is a far more intriguing personality.