Empress Sisi – The 19th Century Princess Diana
She was a royal who hated, the pressures, of royalty, and aristocracy with. The comment untrue dedicated. Herself to helping the poor she was also a woman trapped in a loveless marriage whose, life, was tragically, cut, short and, I we're not talking, about Princess, Diana the beloved, British royal, who died in 1997. We're talking about Empress, Elisabeth, of Austria better. Known as Cece a. Legendary. Beauty Cece rose up from a bohemian background, to become co-regent. Of the second most powerful empire on earth but she was also a free-thinking woman, who suffered, dark depressions, and found herself stifled. By life among Vienna's 19th century elite reviled by the rich beloved by the poor Cece was a woman who led a complex, and tragic, life even as her influence, helped shape Europe for generations, to come in a video today the tale of the 19th century version, of Princess. Diana. Twas. The night before Christmas. 1837. All through the house not a creature was stirring and, not even a mouse best that is you've lived in the stately home of Duke Maximilian Joseph. Of Bavaria. And his wife Princess. Luna Vica in which case everything, was utter chaos, the royal couple had just welcomed their newest child into, the world young Elizabeth nicknamed. Cece was one of an incredible, seven children that Princess Ludovico, had pumped out producing. A plethora, of as. Spares. The reason for this was Princess Ludovico's family as sister, to the powerful Austrian, Archduchess, Sofia, her children were conceivably, one tragedy, away from becoming next, in line to the imperial, throne for, most kids in 19th century household such proximity to power would have meant a strict, upbringing, luckily for baby sissy, though duke Maximilian's household, it wasn't, most, despite. His royal position the Duke was passionate. Liberal he believed in democratic, values pacifism. And spending, time with a common man when he wasn't on his estate he could be found playing Zilla, at a local tavern CeCe's, charters it was therefore a bit unusual on the one hand she had to go to educate lessons and things like that like any, other rich gifts on the other those, lessons were constantly, interrupted, by her free-spirited, dad he would whisk, the children away on adventures. This menses he grew up with, and now look deeply at odds with the privileged, world in which she lived she certainly couldn't, have known that world was about to have to fight for, its life in February, 1848. When sissy was only 10 a revolution, in France snowballed, into a series, of revolutions, all, across, Europe, that threatened, to sweep, the old order away in Austria Hungarian. Uprising forced, Emperor Ferdinand, the first to step down CeCe's, aunts the Archduchess, Sophia engineered, it so her son took, his place that December 18, year old Franz Josef became the Emperor of Austria the, second, biggest power in Europe although little cc didn't know it yet his ascension it, would change her life come, 1849, the revolutions, across Europe they had been crushed in Austria Franz Joseph's, new regime it cracked down hard on the Hungarians, who'd tried, to split off from the Empire not that it was the revolution.
That Led sissy, to catastrophe. Though it, was love in, 1853. Franz Josef now firmly in control of his empire decided, to find a wife his, mother Archduchess Sofia contacted. Her sister, Princess Luna Vica and asked, if she had a suitable, daughter princess Ludovico picked CeCe's older sister Helen, that August Helen her mother and CeCe they all travel to bard iskele to meet friends, Joseph Cece, was now 15 and already, a beauty she had flowing, chestnut hair that reached all the way down to our ankles and, eyes that people, could write sonnets about when Franz Joseph met her all thoughts of Marian Helen they went out of the window the 23 year old Emperor was blown away by Cece he demanded, her hand in marriage right, there and then given, that Archduchess, Sofia and Princess Ludovico had come all this way expecting, a marriage they simply, cut their losses Helen was simply, shoved aside and Cece was betrothed to the ruler, of Austria it, should have been a happy time and for Franz Josef it really was for, Cece though this, was the beginning of a life of misery. From. The moment the couple got engaged CeCe's, life it went into a tailspin. Suddenly, all those lessons she'd skipped to play with dad were a big deal she, had to cram a lifetime's, learning into a few short months so that she didn't look like a total, dumb-dumb at court just as suddenly she was being forced to sit for portraits, that friends Joseph could parade around his empire showing off his new wife to his subjects, for the naturally, shy Cece this was, as shocking as being plunged, into ice water and. What it kept getting worse that, I before Cece was due to leave for Austria, a huge, ball was thrown in her honor the teenage girl was forced to parade before a crowd of onlookers in, an expensive, gown inscribed, with the Arabic, for Oh Lord, what a beautiful, dream but, a radiant, exterior, are concealed something, much, much, darker by, now Cece had almost entirely. Stopped eating it's, thought that this period is when she developed the anorexia, that would haunt her for the rest of her life but, this was, the 19th century and female suffering it was practically. A spectator, sport despite, of misery Cece was put in a carriage and whisked, off to the yenna on April the 24th, 1854. She and friends Josef they, were officially, married almost, immediately, things went so far south they were basically in the Atlantic, life, in Vinnie's Court circa 1854. Was one governed, by ceremony, deference, and strict etiquette, ignoring. Any one of these things could result, in you being ostracized, Cece, who'd grown up in a relaxed household, she willfully. Ignored, all three, this set Cissy on a collision, course with her, new mother-in-law from, the moment, her son chucked pious Helen, for this young, tramp Archduchess, Sophia, had been determined, to make CeCe's life hell, now, that the girl was finally in Vienna so for you decided it was time to go for Disney, villain, when. Cece and Franz Josef's, first child was born on March the 5th 1855, Archduchess, Sophia snatched, the baby away from Cece, and forbade. Her from ever seeing it she even named that child Sophia, after. Herself, classy. Naturally. This made Cece, extra miserable, she begged her husband, to put his foot down and get the baby back the friends Josef he was nothing, if not a mummy's, boy while he wanted Cece to be happy he also refused. To upset his mother and so when Cece gave birth to their second child barely, a year later, on July the 12 1856. There was nothing to stop us Duchess Sophia from snatching, baby, chiseler, away - and, that is Archduchess. So fear of Austria folks a woman who literally, stole, babies, but, if you thought that this despicable, behavior was, it well wait until, you hear the next part, not, long after Gisela was born Cece entered her private chambers to find a crude pamphlet, lying, on a desk left, anonymously, the pamphlet declared that any Empress who failed to give birth to a boy was, an abject failure to, this day we don't know who left the pamphlets but we could probably hazard.
A Guess after. The pamphlet introduced Cece who we should remember is still only 18 -, a whaling wreck Archduchess. Sofia, wrote to her friends, you cannot imagine how charming, Cece is when, she cries, sadly. Fate and Archduchess, Sofia they weren't done making her cry just yet. If. You. Ever looked at Vienna on a map you'll know that it lies close to two borders just, outside the city is the Slovak border and its capital Bratislava. Known, when our story is set as Pressburg. To, the south is the edge of a land far more mysterious and alluring a land with a long proud history that, only recently submitted to Austrian domination, this was, the land known. As Hungary for Viennese society in 1857, Hungary was a source, of both fascination. And revulsion exotic. Revolutionary. Beautiful, dangerous. All, this may be why in the spring of that year Cece, begged her husband to take her there on vacation perhaps, sensing how close his wife was to cracking franz, josef agreed even let, her bring the children in may the imperial, family they board as a carriage and left at the end of a heinz for the east of the empire from the moments, they crossed into Hungary Cece, was in love it's hard to say what exactly captured, her heart it could be the simple fact that she was away, from Vienna and her baby, stealing mother-in-law, but it could also be the language the landscape, or the informality. Of the Hungarian court whatever, the cause by the time they reached Budapest, Cece, had given, her heart to this downtrodden Kingdom sadly, no sooner had Hungary, captured, her heart than. It cruelly broke it in Budapest, the family came down with a nasty case of food poisoning CC, Franz Joseph, and baby Gisela, they were recovered, but baby Sophia did, not on May the 29th, 1857. The child died in CeCe's arms after, two years of barely, seeing her own child when she finally got her back death, snatched. Her away back, in Vienna Archduchess, Sofia declared the baby's, death proved, that CC, was unfit, to be a mother for her part seized he plunged into a black depression that was painful, even, by her standards she, stopped eating drinking, only broth, and began exercising fanatically. Punishing, her body for the sins she imagines. That she had committed nonetheless. The duties of life at court continued, bearly was baby Sophia cold, than Sisi who was pregnant again she, gave birth on August the 21st 1858. To the general excitement of all excitements. Because the new baby Crown Prince Rudolf was a boy and, Franz Joseph finally, had an air while, Sisi may have been suffering depression the arrival of Rudolf did have one welcome, upshot in the way at politics of 19th century Europe, cc's inability, to have a son had rendered her powerless, at court, now that she'd produced friends Joseph an heir she suddenly wasn't quite so weak. Although Archduchess, say fear still snatched Rudolf, away CC finally, had some political muscles, to flex she began to ditch boring, court life spending a time writing poetry and working, out instead she took up unladylike habits, like smoking and, began to claw back her, bohemian, past she, also began learning Hungarian for. The elites in Vienna this was tantamount to Sisi aligning, herself with. Revolutionaries. As Sisi began to excel, at the language and surround, herself with more and more hungarians, on a personal, staff Austrian, polite society it, came to regard her as a bit of a traitor, if the Viennese were scandalized, now well wait, until sissy.
Met, Count and recei. Cows. And recei was the sort of guy holocron romances, are written about a dashing, Hungarian, nobleman, and recei had been involved, in the revolution of 1848 and. Seen action in the war when Franz Josef's new regime had crushed the Hungarians, in 18-49, and recei had barely escaped, with his life, a few years later had been sentenced, to death in absentia by the end of the 1850s, though and receipt had returned to Hungary and was now living and awkward, life where basically everyone, agreed not to mention his involvement in the revolution, it was at this time that, he met CC Hogg books have been written about the relationship, between CC, and and resi exploring, all of the possibilities at, the one end of the spectrum you have histories, that asserted, the two were simply friends, who bonded, over their joint love of the Hungarian, language and, Hungarian, culture on the other hand you have books that suggest, from the moment the two first set eyes on each other they were rolling, in the bedsheets every time Franz Josef's, back was turned, certainly, plenty of people envy and I believed that CC was fooling, around with this handsome Count it, also helps that there were joint rumors that Franz Josef had also, taken mistresses, whatever, the truth it's undeniable. That CC, and Friends Joseph's relationship, had started to break down around. The time and drasi, appeared in 1862, CC abandoned, Vienna began spending time abroad Switzerland. Ireland England Greece, all became sissy's ports in the storm, of her life as well of course did. Hungary now, this caused even more problems than you might be expecting, in the mid 19th century other, class marriages, they weren't made for love it wasn't super important, if you spent time gallivanting. Around with, Hungarian, men, what was important, was producing, heirs CC, had given her husband baby Rudolf but that wasn't enough Franz, Joseph had his heir but Archduchess, Sofia, was determined, that he also have a spare, CC though she wanted no part of, this baby-making plan way into the 1860, CC refused, thousand access to her bet at court, this was an absolute scandal it was made worse by the way that CC was cozying. Up to the insurrectionist. Hungarians, vienna was. Practically, spitting her name by this point luckily world events were about to give everyone in austria far more serious, things to worry about in 1862, a wily politician became, Prussia's new minister, president's known as Otto von Bismarck he. Had two grand, plans one, was to unite most german-speaking, peoples, into a single nation and the other was to make sure Catholic, Austria, absolutely. Wasn't, a part of his new Germany, and if you want more details on all of that we do have a Bismarck video, that you can check out I will link to it below this. One but for now all you need to know is that in summer of 1866, Bismarck. Had a plan and, he put that second, part of the plan into action the seven weeks war was as one-sided.
As It sounds Prussia, steamrolled. Austria, the army was smashed and Prussian troops they came close to occupying Vienna the only reason they didn't, was because Bismarck, pulled back at the last minute preferring, a humiliated. But intact, Austria to a disintegrating. Empire right on his doorstep not that the Austrian Empire didn't try its hardest to disintegrate, anyway, with Vienna humiliated, the old drive the Hungarian independence, it came roaring back as 1867. Rolled, into view it seemed entirely, possible Franz, Josef was going, to have to fight yet another version of the 1848, revolutionary. War but this time and, something that he hadn't had in 1848, he had Sisi. Back. In August 1865. CC and Franz Joseph had taken the first tentative steps towards, reconciliation, it, started with a letter CC wrote her husband saying this she needed more control of her life more right to see our own children, by the time of the seven weeks war CC had been back in Vienna where she visited the wounded, and military hospitals providing comfort, to the dying come 1867, she was close enough to both Vienna and Budapest to, prevent catastrophe. The creation of the austro-hungarian Empire from what it once just been Austria, was more than the work of one woman but if CC hadn't been there it could have all come crashing, down as, Hungary rumbled towards independence, there were elements of the Viennese course that wanted, another, war one that would crush Budapest, once, and for, all equally, of course there were those in Hungary who were willing to fight for, full independence. Just about the only person who, could possibly talk to both sides were, CC she was able to talk Franz Joseph out of repeating, the mistakes of 1848, and instead settle, for a diplomatic, solution she was also instrumental in, getting the Hungarian, side to, the table it was skilled backroom, diplomacy, of the highest, order and it absolutely, worked On February the 8th 1867. The austro-hungarian. Empire it was born without, any bloodshed under, the new system the east of the empire would be an independent. State under Hungarian, control, in return the Hungarians, would make friends Joseph their King and accept joint administration. Of Defense and foreign affairs, for, CC this meant being crowned queen of Hungary in a summer ceremony, in Budapest count, and receive his part became Hungary's, new prime minister it was a remarkable, transformation from.
The Carnage, of 1848, and for CC her new position meant, a chance to live in her beloved Hungary, in a full time the queen of Hungary she threw herself into charity, work visiting hospitals across the Dual Monarchy holding, hands with the dying and talking, to them not like a royal but, like a fellow human being cc's, common touch it boosted her popularity, immeasurably. As did her involvement, promoting, new humane treatments, for the mentally ill she, was so happy that she even agreed to resume her wifely duties, on April the 22nd, 1868. CC gave birth while in Budapest to her fourth child Valerie. Valerie was the first of the Imperial, couple's children born in Hungary she was also the first that Archduchess, Sophia didn't get her talons into CC, was allowed, to raise the girl all by herself perhaps, unsurprisingly, she grew to absolutely, dote, on her, new daughter now, ideally this would, be where things kind of ended with CC finally, happy as a mother and as an honorary Hungarian. And even, as a wife but the story of CC it's, not a happy one and there are still a lot of tragedies, to come. In. May 1872. Archduchess. Sophia suffered a stroke while in a family's Grand Palace of Vienna as, she lay dying the elite of Austria came to pay their respects, camps ministers Royals they all passed, through her bedchamber and among, their number was, CC for all Sophia seemed like a complete villain, in our story it's worth remembering that she lived in a really different time women, in her position were meant to be powerless Babymakers. Yet sophia was able, to subvert that to take a revolution, by the horns and use it to put her teenage son on the throne not, only that she was then strong enough to rule the court at Vienna bending, it to her will she, may have been haughty spiteful, and a bit of a witch but she was also admirable. Just in, her own way and, maybe that's why it said that she and CC finally, managed, to reconcile, in those, final hours after, Sofia passed away Cece was freed, of a nemesis from now on the 34, year old and breast could be, whoever she, wanted to be over the next few years CeCe's, eccentricities, both, good and bad they grew, exponentially. She mastered ancient Greek became an exercise, fanatic who could have two dumbbells like a circus, strongman she also devised brand new hair treatments, that impressed, the whole empire thus happily her anorexia. Continued, to dominate her life as the 1870s rolled, on sissy, began only eating milk based foods such as cheese determined, to, keep her waist tiny yet, this could have all stayed in the backgrounds, well and not for what happened, to Rudolf by, 1881, cc's only son was no longer the baby of the family but, a melancholy, lads of 22. Valium, he married, Princess stéphanie of Belgium, in a, rather ironic, turn of events ICI immediately, took against, a new daughter-in-law, branding. Her with venom. Archduchess, Sophia would have been proud of clumsy. Earth just. As Sisi and Franz Joseph had done Rudolph and Stephanie's marriage it soon hit the rocks the difference while Sisi had managed to keep her misery, bottled up Rudolph, though he, wouldn't be so strong in late 1888, the unhappy Rudolf met 17 year old Baroness, Mary and it began an affair with her On January the 30th 1889. He took his new flame to his hunting lodge mailing. Them, Rudolph convinced, the poor girl that the world was now out to get them and they needed to die for their love Mary, who was herself a melancholy, romantic, she, agreed taking, a pistol Rudolf shot Mary dead and, then he turned the gun on himself.
When The news hit Vienna, Cece suffered, a catastrophic, breakdown, she began to talk about suicide telling, a frightened friends Joseph that she, wanted to die her, youngest daughter Valerie would find, her laughing hysterically, for no reason, finally, in 1890, Cece did the only thing she could she, fled Vienna she, even fed hungry instead, that broken Empress began roaming, the world travelling by boat to far-flung, shores as, she traveled Cece refused to see anyone but the crew living a Spartan, life and the bowels, of the ship when, terrific storms broke out she would order captain to tie her to a chair on the deck so that she could be battered by the wind and the waves watching, the sea royal and crash around her as her soul roiled, inside, her breast when, someone worked up the courage to ask what she was doing Cece simply replied that she wanted to travel, the whole world over until. I drown, and I'm forgotten, and, well I wish it would soon be granted. On. May the 11th 1878. A German man known as max Hodel fired a pistol that kaiser film the first to see past him in the street, although the Kaiser was unhurt Hodel was more than just a crackpot, he was an anarchist deeply, committed to something known as the propaganda, of the deed the idea that violent terrorist actions would inspire other anarchists, to carry, out more atrocities, hurdles, faith would turn, out to be rather well placed his, plot shot at the Kaiser was, the start of a wave of an accursed attacks come, September, 1898, Sisi must, have been aware of the new threat just, four years before On June the 24th, 1894. An anarchist, had stabs, the presidents of France to death at a banquet two years after that and other Anika's to gun down the spanish prime minister but even with these high profile killings she likely believed that she couldn't be a target, she, was at Lake Geneva with their friends countess earnest array to seek treatment for her ill health and not, to worry about anarchist, killers this turned out to be very fortunate, for the anarchist killer who was already waiting, in Geneva, Luigi, Lucania had come to the lake after reading the prints on Rhea Foley all would be visiting his plan was to stab the young roll to death but then Prince honoré cancelled his trip and, the assassin, was left kicking his heels in Geneva with nothing to do it was in this frame of mind that Lucania, found out about Cece, CeCe's, visit to Lake Geneva was supposed to be clandestine, but someone, had informed the press now the papers were full, of pictures of the Empress and with that Janie, had found his new target Cece, for her part was completely unaware of the assassin, as she and the counter strolled around the lake they failed to notice they were being watched until, there was too late on September the 10th 1898. The two women were walking towards, a steamship, when a passing, man punched, Cece in the chest the Empress was knocked, off her feet but quickly recovered, thanking those who helped her she and the countess then continued to the steamship as if nothing had happened as the boat pulled away from the shore Cece, began to feel faint the countess opened a corset, for her only to watch in horror as blood, began, to seep, out of an invisible wound, the, passing man had been Lucini and the punch had been a direct, blow to CeCe's, heart with, a sharpened, file as the countess called for help Cece fell unconscious the, steamship turned rounds, but, it was too late by the time the ship reached the shore Cece, was dead when the news reached the now captured, new chaney he said right it put on trial he demanded to be executed, instead, he was sentenced to life in prison, twelve years later on October the 19th 1910. He, hanged himself in a Cell you Cheney's foul deed it didn't go unheeded not two years later an anarchist chard king umberto of, Italy to death a year after that President, McKinley of America, was likewise killed one and I kissed it's bullet thought of CC what did she think is she lay on that steamship, her, life slipping away for an answer we, could turn to her writings, in the last year's CC wrote I loved, I lived, I wanted, through the worlds but never, reached what, I strove for it's.
A Fittingly tragic, end to a tragic, life the woman who had everything and had, nothing who, never found what, her heart really, wanted but, there's another ending and one that's not quite so downbeat. Not long after CeCe's, assassination. Her daughter Valerie wrote now, it has happened just, as she always wished quickly, painlessly, without, medical, consultations. Without, long anxious days, of worry for, her loved ones to, which cc's friends the poet Carmen Silva added her death was beautiful, calm and great, within, the sight of beloved, great nature, painless, and peaceful. Only, to the world did. It seem horrific, CC's life may have been one of tragedy, but it was also one of beauty a life more intensely. Passionate than, perhaps any of us will ever live at the end of baldness it's comforting, to think that maybe just maybe they're reluctant Empress, she. Found peace at. Last so, I really hope you found that video interesting, if you did please do give us a thumbs up below and don't forget to subscribe we've got brand new videos just like this every day of the week for more from me why not check out my other channel called top tens you will find that linked to below and, as, always thank. You for watching.
2019-06-08 16:45
This video is like a series of unfortunate events
This story is perfect fodder for a great David Lean-type film!!!
Mayerling Incident should have it's own video
well written!
She IS beautiful ... but what a study on misery ...
Simon, please make a docu about edgar allen poe
Bohemian upbringing?? But she was from Bavaria.. not Bohemia... very confusing. And besides ohemia was a part of austria... still it is good and fitting to marry ones vassals. Even if it is more prudent to for an allaince with another empire. That failure in maintaining alliances was what frans joseph was really bad at, never mind the goly alliance that ruled post napoleonic europe with austria and russia at its center keeping prussia and france at beck and call... or russias help in dealing with hungary in the crazy year... in 1855 that promise was broken ans austria failed to enter the crimean war on russias side. And correspondingly was isolated... and soon enough lost the southern german states to the seven week war with prussia. Frans joseph... what a failure of a person!
You should do one about Catherine the great.
I mean Hungary was under Habsburg control for 400 years at that point - i wouldn't qualify that as "new"
"But this was the 19th century and female suffering was practically a spectator sport" I actually laughed out loud.
Please do a video abou Eugenia de Montijo, the last Empress of France that inspired Mérimée's Carmen !
To Otto von Bismark not wanting Austria in the empire, Bavaria and Baden-Wuttenberg are both majority catholic and their culture is more like that of Austria than Prussia/North Germany
Heh, you are right Mr. Simon. Sisi was truly the 19th Century Princess Diana.
To be fair to Sophie, and as interesting and sympathethic Sisi is, she wasn't completely wrong. Sisi wasn't the only unhappy empress in history, yet they didn't ditch their responsibilities and their children for up to a year at a time (her depression didn't help of course, but still)
Good old cycles of abuse. They never go out of style.
BISMARCK ALWAYS HAS A PLAN!!!
Between the Romy Schneider fairy tale and the "She was a 21st century woman trapped in the 19th century" is the real Sissi. She was progressive because it was her way of leaving her mark. She came in an age where the enlightened monarchs of absolutism of the 18th century had given mixed results and most monarchs were trying to find a better way, especially in a time of rapid economic and social upheaval where the old values seemed less than certain. Some fell back on conservatism, hoping it would all blow over, while others were progressives hoping it would make them popular with the people who increasingly demanded more political participation. It would be wrong to see her as a 21st century style reformer, she was a product of her time and most of her progressive ideas were more convenience and a wish to do away with bothersome things than be truly progressive. She was in so many other ways just as conservative as all the others when it came to her own privileges and power.
How you pronounced Sisi ist just hilarious
That’s why the media should be eliminated! They destroy people and all false news and they don’t know the whole story
I'd be very much interested in seeing a Biographics episode on Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908), because she has remained such a controversial figure, with opinions ranging from her being a ruthless and degenerate tyrant, who stopped at nothing to remove her rivals, to her being unfairly maligned by Chinese reformers and western writers. Yet, it can be agreed that she lived in a pivotal time in Qing Dynasty history, outliving her husband, son, and nephew, and ironically was advocating western reforms by the time of her death in 1908. Also, one on Puyi, the last emperor of China would be interesting, because his life spanned the final years of the Qing Dynasty, through the turmoil of the 1920's and 1930's, was at least complicit in Japanese occupation of Manchuria, and eventually ended his life, after nearly a decade of re-education, ended his days as a gardener in Beijing following Mao's rise to power.
Good job, great video as always I think Franz Joseph would be very interesting
Could you do a video about Lovecraft?
We have a statue of her here in Madeira Island. I love these videos
I loved the video. Thank you.
Sisi, 19 Century Diana. Helene, 19th century me.
“Pumped out” children. Lovely phrase.
Yessssss woke up to 24 minute video today is gonna be a good day!!!!
hi biographics, can you do a video on Saladin from the crusades or Balian, ive been fascinated by the crusades since the kingdom of heaven movie and there is so much history in that time period, would be great vid....keep it up tho i really like watching your vids
ayyyyy hungarian rhapsody #2. Also, I cry during every single one of these videos. I don't know how you do it but I love it
So sad, yet a great story.
Constantine XI Palaiologos next? aka. The last Roman Emperor?
Today's terrorists are the 19th century's anarchists. Just as destructive and pointless.
20:22 Max Hodl!? This is what happened to Satoshi... He used his BTC earnings to buidl a *TIME MACHINE* !!
@Biographics CAN YOU DO A VIDEO ON HERTA BOTHE PLEASE !!!!!!!!!
Bismarck always has a plan.
si-si, the Chinese princess of 44 :D
Great biographic and wonderfully presented as always thanks Simon
Princess diana was a narcissists She did everything in her power to sabotage her son She won't be missed
Nice video. Sisi's two daughters who survived childhood were also pretty interesting women, though their ttories are not as "biography worthy", I guess. Helene (Nene), Sisi's sister who was supposed to mary Franz Joseph ended up marrying somebody she actually loved ( late, by standards back then, though she would have been young to marry by ours). Her live was not always a happy one, either, though, and she died of cancer at only age 56.
Finally about sisi !!
Hey Simon, how about a video on John M. Browning
Can you do Queen Marie of Romania, she has an amazing story
Please do a bio on Marcus Aurelius!! The stoic leader of Rome has been call the greatest human to have ever lived. And his religious beliefs still influence us today! I would be stoked to find out more about him :)
I have two suggestions. The first being Huddie William Ledbetter AKA Leadbelly, being from an ethnic minority, convicted of 2 murders and still being a major influence in musical figures since, would be great if he was a little more well known. The second is Horatio Nelson, dedicating his life to the Royal Navy, being wounded many times including loosing an eye, before loosing his life in the battle of Trafalgar. He is a hero of Britain (and me, personally) and really deserves praise. Hope you will consider both my suggestions, but if you were to pick only one, i'd prefer Horatio. Also I am really grateful for your videos, they are fantastic. Thanks a lot. :)
Can you do one on Clark Gable!? Please!???
The reverse isis
Great video. Such a sad story. I had never heard of her before.
Anyone who watched Princess Sisi as a kid? Can't be the only one who sat through it thinking it's a princess show and then found himself very interested in the fate of the Austro-Hungarian empire
OOOOOMG it’s been soooooo long since I’ve seen something about her, almost 30 years ago
Could you make a biography about William of Orange? He was the leader of the Dutch at the time of the 80 years war between the Netherlands and Spain. And I'd love to see a biography about him.
Beautiful. Well done!
I knew about her during my holiday in Vienna in 2007 and her story was popularised by the 50's trilogy with Romy Schneider. FUN FACT: Christine Daae's Think of Me outfit is a replica of the famous Franz Xavier Winterhalter's famous portrait of Sissi in the 2004 movie version of The Phantom of the Opera.
Very nicely done. One of her benign yet odd eccentricities was to travel in her coach in Vienna, then stop at a house and pay a surprise visit to the completely flabbergasted inhabitants. Nobility simply did not pay social calls on commoners, much less royalty and an empress at that. A member of the Wittelsbach family,she was also cousin and good friend of King Ludwig of Bavaria, builder of Neuschwanstein and other castles and no slouch at eccentricities himself. She said she was one of the few who understood him, and really, she probably was.
Eleutherios Benizelos??
A fine job!
“Come 1849, revolutions across Europe had been crushed.” Uh...Garibaldi would like a word. 1849 is literally the year he was charged to lead the Expedition of the Thousand.
It's interesting her life paralleled Princess Diana. Even in death, they both died from a severe blow to the chest. If I recall correctly, it tore her aorta.
I love watching and listening to you Simon keep up the great work!
A very interesting woman. She would've made a good subject for opera.
Try Korean famous general yi su shin a Korean naval commander
You should do a biographic on Judy Garland. Her life is a tragic one, and she's a household name even today. I think it would be a perfect addition!
I'd really like to see some day an unbiased biography of Catherine the Great of Russia. There are some claims that make it seem like all the good ideas & real power were all Potemkin (bios written by blokes) not her, but that doesn't match how everyone always described her as incredibly sharp & intelligent. & then movies that only focus on dumb romantic side. She was one of the longest living most powerful monarchs & I've never seen a bio that does her justice & shows what she did politically. Hope this channel one day does! thks Simon!
Can you do kurt cobain plz
I visited the palace in Vienna where she lived and was amazed by all the machinery shed had made to work out. They looked almost like modern day gym machines but made of wood, and she had designed and commissioned them herself. They say she spent hours on them and horseback riding every day. She had all these different forward thinking habits yet was trapped in a jail of tradition.
Her name is Elisabeth (A-lee-sah-beth). Also, she isn’t Bohemian. Also also, when she met Franz Joseph her hair was blonde and short.
Her Name is pronounced Like cissy Not CC
I loved learning about Sisi! I’d never heard of her but she’s now one of my favorite historical figures. Thank you
Trump2020
Off topic, but please consider a biographic on Josiah Henson. Credited to being the inspiration for Tom in Harriot Beecher Stowes "Uncle Tom's Cabin". He legally escaped slavery, only to be cast back in, and created a safe haven for escaped slaves when they reached Canada.
I would LOVE an episode on Simonetta Vespucci!!!
I had never even heard of her before this video but Sisi´s story made me cry
Isn't in poor taste to refer to a woman birthing children as "pumping out"? Or is it terribly witty writing? Asking for a friend. Later edit: despite my snarky tone, I thoroughly enjoyed this video and its history; as a side note, you mentioned at the end a quote by poet Carmen Sylva; she was not only a poet - that's a pseudonym used by a former queen of Romania, Elisabeth, wife of Carol I. Cheers!
10:41 what's that tune? It's so familiar!
How different from Diana could it be? Sisi was swiftly assassinated during a polite visit. Diana died at the hands of a drunken driver fleeing paparazzi with her current lover; pretty sordid in comparison if you ask me.
Touché
@Michiel Korte That was silly. Have you ever used glue, driven in a car, used chapstick or eaten chocolate? Criminal!
Also Sisi didn’t care about the poor. While her people starved she used eggs, milk and more food products purely for her skin.
Simon, it’s time to groom the facial hair. You’re starting to look unkempt.
Would you be able to do a video on empress Wu? She is/was also known as Wu Zhao, Wu Hou, during the later Tang dynasty as Tian Hou, and in English as Empress Consort Wu. I find her story extremely interesting as she started out as a simple concubine but later as one of the most powerful people in her country. She is both praised for the many positive things she did, such as her leadership resulting in important effects regarding social class in Chinese society and in relation to state support for religion, education, and literature; and villaified as a murderer and terrible mother. Overall I believe she is an important and interesting historical figure with a very interesting life.
I think of 18yo girls now... such a different time.
Can you make a bio on Gustavus Adolphus ? ( The lion from the north ) He is an important king in Sweden’s history. Sweden was one of the poorest and weakest country in Europe but he made Sweden in to an empire. He changed military tactics and that’s why he is called “father of modern warfare” he was killed in a battle. (Sorry for my bad English)
Could you do a video on Jimmy Doolittle? Hes a gentlemen that has smarts, determination and a haunted past that would be a good bio to do.
Wow! THey should make a movie about Sisi!
@CroxlD What was the name of the movie?
They did
I seriously need Biographics rehab! I can't stop shaking and I feel cold. Lol
How about a video that discussing why the Brits love fantasy tabloid stories about their royals..... And why all of a sudden Americans are supposed to care about this frumpy family because an abscure actress married into them..... So sick of hearing about these people.
Propaganda of the deed sounds like something that would explain a lot of violent acts in modern times.
Do Miklós Nyiszli.
"Anarchist" with no qualifier... paid stooge says what?"
Even tho we know so much about her can we get a Diana Bio? I may have missed it you guys have so much content.
Sisi was many things and affected many people in many differing ways. One of the most interesting, and curious, was the affect she had on Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain.) He was in Europe at the time. He was deeply moved and depressed by her murder and wrote a long piece entitled "The Memorable Assassination," in which he attributed abundant virtues to the late Empress. Although it exists in his papers and is available today, he never submitted it for general publication. It is clear he admired her greatly, possibly because she was a royal who, at least in his eyes, lacked faults he found in most other monarchs.
you should make a BIO on Jean Baptiste Bernadotte. This guy was born a peasant in pre-revolutionary france and somehow became king of sweden.
I can tell you it wasn’t the language that she liked in Hungary, it sounds absolutely ridiculous, hahaha.
Client: calls pizza place Pizza employee: how can I help you? Client: can I get a pizza with cheese and pineapple? Pizza employee: gross. ok anything else?
One of 7 children Princess Ludavika pumped out. Simon that's randy
@Michiel Korte Thank you !
Cheryl Abellar 8: Ludwig, Hélène, Elisabeth, Karl Theodor, Marie, Mathilde, Sophie and Maximilian
Could you cover Ludvig of Baviera Sisi’s cousin!!! The man built castles so that Wagner could play his works!!
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Mehmet the Conqueror, Suleiman the Magnificent any one of these three would be amazing!
I went to Vienna and Budapest last November. We visited both Hofburg and Schonbrunn Palace. I was particularly interested in Sisi and Maria Theresa. The Sisi exhibits in both Palaces were amazingly preserved and presented (complete with audio guides) . this includes life size accurate figures of Sisi with her 22 inch waist A definitely must visit for Sisi enthusiast The only frustrating part was you couldn't take pictures inside both palaces
Is there a bio video in the future about Franz Joseph? Also love these videos!
p u m p e d o u t
She was much prettier than Diana.
Probably right. I never thought Diana was attractive. Horrible haircuts.
I need a Biographics on Simon Whistler! DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
History is friggin amazing!
Would it be possible for an autobiography on the Emperor Augustus. As he, in my opinion, is the best politician in human history. He went from a simple gentrymen to being able to manipulate the Senate to make him emperor. Thus, introducing the age of the emperors.
Wow her unbelievable life made me feel really guilty for thinking she got a pretty cool assassination. Like I think that Luigi dude could be part of the Brotherhood
The poet Carmen Sylvae was a pseudonim used by Queen Elizabeth of Romania.
Trivia: Sisi consumed Cocaine from time to time, the Sisi-Museum in Vienna still shows the syringe she used to inject.
Sisi documentaries are so rare!!! Thank you
Do Josip Broz Tito the president of Yugoslavia beacause of the mpment ehen he came to the White House and lit his cigar everybody was afraid of telling him he can't smoke in there I think it would be a cool video I mean he went from a locksmith to president and fucked off Stalin so it could be cool to cover him
Austrosized?
A very good one. Well done.
Bismarck aaaalways had a plan!
What did Dodi say to his chauffeur? "Want to come for a ride with me and Di(e)?
Plese consider doing a video about Neil Armstrong. It is appropiate because we are coming up on the fiftyth aniversy of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. It would also be appropiate because of his severail close calls with death flying exxperimental machines, and how it can be argued he may be the best pilot in human history. It migh also be appropiate to cover how being the first person to walk on the moon affected his life.
She made it until 60... Her life was not cut short.
I recently read an interview with Neil Tennant, where he said he wanted the UK to remain in the EU because it was similar to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a positive unifying force that prevented extremist nationalism. LOL.
Thanks for this! I'd not heard this biography before.
Her heart got what it least expected. Quite literally.
Maximillian IN Bavaria...proofread and doublecheck your scripts guys, this is getting tiresome...
Finally, my call has been answered!
14:35 Did you get a notification on some device, sure I heard a ping or pop type sound
Powerless baby makers ! Many women, in many countries, still play this role today ! And they are not even queens or empresses, just common women. In some pants of the world women still live in the 19th century !
This is another favorite, I appreciate you.
Do an episode about yourself! The origins of the Whistler clan and how you became a douche
sisi is probably the most beautiful woman ever... damn.
Suggestion: Philo Farnsworth - The Father of Television.
It's just a damn shame the anarchists didn't spread and multiply, could have prevented many wars, including 2 world wars, or more.... oh well, never mind.
Have anyone here seen the "Princess Sisi" cartoon that aired on FOX-KIDS ?
Simon, my man, you have thoroughly slaughtered all the Hungarian names in this video
Too complex
"Eating cheese to keep her waist tiny"
Duke max was duke on Bavaria not duke of Bavaria, it was because duke max was a member of the lower branch of the house of wittlesbach
Fantastic, cheeky video. Sisi was an amazing and tragic woman. And I might mention here President Abraham Lincoln as well as the other sad figures you so aptly tied together in your video. Nice job.
Wow the Diana connection is remarkable. Diana’s life was a paradox the most photographed woman in the world was lonely the most loved woman was unloved by her husband her smile was sad her life was a fairy tail and tragedy .
Can we get a Biographic for the incredible creative mind Jim Henson
I’d hate being a royal. Sisi never deserved any of that.
Hey Simon, there is a channel called vidIQ that does bios about content creators and different YouTube channels. They said they want to to a video on you. They recently did a bio on the King Of Random. You should check them out and get up with them.
A magyarok királynéja.
I wouldn't say the Austro-Hungarian empire was the 2nd strongest in the world or even europe at that time. Or ever for that matter but at that point it was more like the 5th strongest. Behind the U.K, France, Prussia/Germany, Russia, than finally Austria/Austro-Hungarian Empire. JS. Loved the episode tho
Madeira caralho
She was also one of the first people to workout on a daily basis. Even had a gym in her palace.
She was yet another self obsessed narcist and a braindead cow just like the Whore of Wales. Tarrt murdered her own children
Painless? I don't agree on that
Her image is all over Vienna. She was a very memorable person from our trip to Vienna years ago. Thank you for this .
Can you do Elizabeth Hamilton
She was still very relevant to the mainstream culture of Austria up to the 1960s.. (and even noticeable in France..)
I saw the title of this video and thought it was about Empress Cixi (Xixi? Idk there are tons of transliterations.) of China. Then I saw the subtitle.
oh how im glad there isnt a prince rudolf today i cant imagine the teasing
nope nope nope - have you ever visited the museum in Vienna or talked to Sisi historians? she was an egoist if there ever was one, self centered and using her position and the unconditional love of her husband only for her own benefits - every german documentary about her tells you that + this comparison is so outdated and disproven - how outdated are your sources?
i sincerely admire you and appriciate all of your work. This was a very interesting story to tell. But why do you use so many pronouns? It's just so weird to me.
There's a wonderful series of three movies in beautiful Agfacolor made in Austria in the mid-50s on Sisi starring Romy Schneider and Karlheinz Boehm. The movies do not cover the later period of Sisi's life and are very romantic, with some comedy. Also there are episodes concerning Sisi and Franz Joseph in the 1970s TV series Fall of Eagles. The portrayal of Archduchess Sophia as The Mother-in-law from hell is outstanding. There's a fine episode on the Mayerling affair with Rachel Gurney who was about the same time playing Lady Marjorie Bellamy on Upstairs Downstairs, as Empress Elisabeth of Austria aka Sisi. FYI Queen Elisabeth of Belgium was her niece and Sisi was very close to her first cousin the Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria. Carmen Sylva was the pen name of a Queen of Romania, but not the well-known Queen Marie.
Wow, the Hapsburgs were screwed up . . . . She deserved BETTER in life.
Could y'all do a video on Joe Beyerle?
She sounds more like a 19th Century Princess Margaret: an intelligent but unhappy woman who didn't 'fit the mold' and had no outlet for her talents.
In my language her name is Tits
can you do Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe
As a Canadian. I would like too see Louis Riel
could you do Max Weber?
bismarck always had a plan :)
It’s good you did a bio on her I recently read a novel about her and reviewed it on my channel.
Could you do Frida Khalo!! I feel like her life has been misconstrued by pop culture and it is important to her art to understand the full context of her life!! There needs to be far more emphasis on her politics.
The wicked mother in law Sophie of Bavaria. How horrible this story is. Sisi's husband was crazy because he had a crazy mother. A man who has a crazy mother can also become crazy and why didn't he help his wife? It is sad how her son killed his mistress and himself but it is said that he had many mistresses. Maybe this mistress threatened to expose him if he didn't marry her and divorce his wife. Who knows.
Brits and their Diane so full of themselves!! Mother Theresa died the same year also!! Poor little rich girl. I am all for all helping others but do not put yourself in the down out of luck when you have more then the normal woman in life.
Awesome episode! More please!
sisi or cerci?
Michael Collins Irish leader please
Only Romy Schneider could ever portray Sissi.
Pumped out haha
As a child I loved the movies about sisi with Romy Schneider. But they are painting a romantic kind of life.. great video
My idea for a bio vid would be about the fallen musicians of the Seattle music scene. Cobain, Staley, Hoon, Cornell, etc.
You should make a timeline documentary of the House of Plantagenet from the time of the last Plantagenet (the split of Lancaster and York and later war of the roses) who was the very bloody French originated dynasty of royalty from which the British royalty emerged. The last bloody Plantagenet was Richard III of York who supposedly murdered the 2 princes in the tower and the princes were of the Lancaster line. One of the princes was Edward V, age 12, who was king at that time but who disappeared with his younger brother Richard in the tower where their bones were later found in a box. So it is thought that Richard III of Plantagenet York murdered the princes so he could be king and he became king but was later killed by Henry VII, father of Henry VIII in revenge for the murder of the boys. Henry VII was from the house of Lancaster and his wife from the House of York and they formed the House of Tudor. All of this is confusing, of course, but if you could explain as to why and how he became the king after the 2 princes died in the tower. I am asking because they found the bones of Richard III and they say the DNA doesn't match up. So they say someone cheated or what happened? I guess we might never know and there isn't any good info on Youtube or the internet either. I guess one just does not know if someone has cheated and now the bloodline is messed up but maybe it is all messed up and one doesn't know who really cheated and when in that entire historic bloodline of royalty.
Damn anarchists...
anarchist were wild in the early 20th century
Im going to be a marine biologist one day, and I hope to be the sort of marine biologist that gets a biohrapghics video
Who remembers Fox kids's cartoon show about her?
Franz-Joseph = Franz-YO-seph.
Wow.....Just WOW
Calling Austria the second most powerful country in Europe is a bit of a stretch. You could argue wether it was even the most powerful within the 'Deutscher Bund'.
@Ulverup Still not true. Said Empire got his ass beaten by Prussia in 1866.
He did say "empire", in that case the statement might be true.
Speaking of anarchists....can we have a bio on Nestor Makhno, the one anarchist who tried to create a government with no government in the 1920s.
Ummm, Mediterranean, not Atlantic.
You all please cover Gabor Csupo he worked and helped create the most influential cartoons of the 80's and 90s like Rugrats and the Simpsons
Princess Diana was the only one of the royal family I liked she was a saint in disguise only wanted good for people unlike her mother in law
5:33 South? To the Atlantic? Really? This must have been another Vienna in a different place.
22:46 ... Now THAT is a moustache!
I love your videos because half the time, I don't know who that person is, so everything is a complete surprise. It's so fun.
But Bismarck had a plan Bismarck always has a plan
you should do one about Belle Gunness
Do one on hideki tojo
Finally I can think of Sisi in her own right without thinking of of Romy Schneider and technicolor Kaiserschmarrn.
@Susella Thanks but even so I think I'll give it a miss.
Romy Schneider portrait her again in Luchino Visconti's Ludwig - no Kaiserschmarrn here.
I wish he didn't try to draw parallels so hard between Diana and Sisi. Diana played the martyr for her own poor choices. Sisi's suffering had a lot more to do with her time.
Not a creature was stirring... EEK! GET THAT MOUSE!!
This seemed to me to be good. Andrássy - the correct pronunciation is : á is a long a - and 's' in Hungarian is pronounced 'sh'. Double 's' is just a longer 'sh'. Well, Empress Elizabeth loved the Hungarians so I'm sure she would have found this important!
I'm surprised she was able to give birth since she was anorexic.
Even her son Rudolph had a sad countenance. You did her story justice, simon. Beautifully told. Your best yet! I have been a fan for a few years now and after this, I shall love you ever more dearly.
One of your best, Simon. Thank you!
The 'strangest life' portrait had sadness in the eyes
You should do a video on Malcolm wheeler Nicholson
You are a great story teller. You had me tearing up through some of it.
I read a book about her when I was a kid, and her writings are fascinating
We’re just going to ignore the fact that her cousin was her husband?
Bismarck always had a plan! LOL
I keep seeing the Franz Kafka in your videos how about doing a video on him? Since you live in CZ you got a lot of info you can get.
Sisi gets killed by an Italian. Today's revisionists: "Meh, big deal! “ Franz Ferdinand gets killed by a Serb. Today's revisionists" ZOMG THE SERBS STARTED WW1! “.
What a wonderful woman.
Geeze how effin depressing I couldn't get to the end of it
Can you do Robert J. O'Neill?
So, she was able to get pregnant despite her anorexia?
Ssisi lived to the age of 61, she by all accounts lived a full life, longer then most in her day.
VIDEO SUGGESTION — I’ve been suggesting this for a while now and having recently seen your request that we follow up suggestions with a little explanation I decided to give it a go. Few nations on earth have ever been so consequential as the United Kingdom in the 20th century. With the stroke of a pen the UK could change the lives of millions living within its empire. Bearing this fact in mind one must consider that The Troubles created ripples that impacted not just those living in Ireland and the UK, but many living outside of these nations. Michael Collins, being perhaps the most key personality in the story of Irish/UK relations, requires close examination. He is a polarizing figure even today. Considered by some to be the George Washington of Ireland and others to be nothing more than a criminal and terrorist, there is certainly much to know about the man. I hope you consider this as a topic. Thanks for all of your content.
But Empress Elisabeth lived before Princess Diana right?
For everyone who was moved by this story, I recommend watching a recording of the musical Elisabeth. It’s a german language musical about the life of Sisi and fairly accurate. The only twist, her suicidal tendencies are portrayed as death personified being in love with her.
Where did Franz Ferdinand come in to this story?
"Bismarck always has a plan"
Could you perhaps do a video about kaiser Karl I Austria (also known as Charles iv of Hungary)? I feel like he is largely underrated in comparison to the likes of Wilhelm II and other figures in ww1. Also because he was not only the last emperor of Austria-Hungary, but was also the last Hapsburg monarch.
Full Disney villain!
About time Simon, Sisi never got the recognition she deserved for what she helped create out of a hodgepodge Europe of interlocking and discordant treaties. Well done Simon, Well done Sisi!
Do one about barack obama. Or Ronald Reagan
Do one about Mohammed atta the 9/11 rig leader
I've always been intrigued by this Empress story amd the Austrian- Hungary empire history as well. I've read books on these topics, watched series on Sisi... But your videos are so well made! I loved this one.
3:37 Chris Hansen get in here
the old reich it was an horrible beauty a compleat mess...
Been binging biographics while at work the past 2 weeks. Thank you for all the care on research and presentation guys. 2 requests, I'd love a video on Otis Redding. He's the king of soul, 'Mr Pathetic', and nobody has ever captured emotion in music like him for me. His life was unfortunately short. However his life, and the beginnings of Motown, are fascinating to contrast the social issues of the time. Another video would be cool to see the creative process behind producing one of these videos. Keep it up fam
Is it just me or is Luigi Lucheni the real hero of the story, he killed a monarchist and gave Sissi what she had wanted for years, all around a great man who will be missed.
You should cover Lauri Torni.
Corrections...anarchists...try islamists
Absolutely one of your best bios so far. I think both sexes are interested in the trove of interesting women ignored by history. I hope you mine this vein ad infinitum. I knew nothing of Sisi or her assassination. Nor did I realize that anarchists conducted more successful assassinations since 1860 than any other group, save maybe capitalist intelligence services.
An INTENSE Bio, Simon...but beautiful and well orated.
Thank you for a great video, I'd never heard of her before. You do have a female audience, despite what you may think. I enjoy the military stories, but there are many men and women in history who are not related to anything military. More stories on powerful women and artists, inventors etc.. please. Thanks, a fan.
Can you please do Thomas Garrigue Masaryk?
Please do a video on Buhnhallalilli Matabatabatambo
It is said that emperor Franz Josef said, when getting the news of his wife's assassination, commented, that he was not spared anything [bad] in this world, and whatever you hold against him, he lost his wife to an assassin, his son to suicide and his brother was executed in Mexico, and he stood through all of it with a calm, almost stoic attitude.
I loved this story the empress will live on through memories and ideas
Do Aileen Wuornos
The anarchists did nothing wrong. These royals were and are all leeches on society.
You misspelled Prussia. You spelled Prusia
Do a video about Herberts Cukurs.
Thank you. You've taught me so much more than I ever learned in any history class.
As a Hungarian, I can confirm that she is still popular here, she was very well loved within my country.
I think sissi would have been unhappy in whatever marriage she was in of it had etiquette like on Vienna. If she had married someone like her own father had been,she would have been happy.franz should have married Helene.sophia would have loved her so would have the Vienna court .but ah they would not have gotten the Hungarian kingdom to accept Vienna domination. Anyone know what became of the almost empress of Vienna,Helene?
This is a story nearly everyone my age or older grew up with 8n Germany and Austria. There is a very popular movie series starring Romy Schneider that we watched every Christmas. Calling her the Austrian Diana is a wonderful comparison - she has so much mystery, tragedy and romanticism around her story.
People in those royal families were just a bunch of psychopaths. I cant imagine how Sisi felt. I wish time travel was a thing for situations like those. I would really want to be her friend and her support system. She was plagued with mental illness.
Sisi had an anchor tattoo on her shoulder/back. The traveling to Madeira and Corfu at the beginning was to strengthen her health. She was 5 feet 7,7 inches tall and weight around 110 lbs. If you look at the models now, they are taller and weight about the same. Is it healthy? No. But this typ of woman is still idealized in the beauty industry.
How about doing Ludwig II of Bavaria, the fairytale king and Sisi's cousin next?
What is so fairy tale about that particular king?I never heard of him before
Btw she had a Tattoo on her shoulder, of an anchor.
She was not caught in a loveless marriage. She wanted to marry him. But she was very selfish and self centered. All her biographies agree on that. She hated monarchy but still gladly accepted the financial advantages of her royal status. She was a horrible mother and just loved to blame others for her wasted life. I am her biggest fan though. Fascinating. Yet weird. A total bitch. Lmao
as usual, women in history rarely have a good story
This might be your best written episodes. A great tribute
Whew Chile, the drama!!!
Oh my, so sad.
Could you do a video about Mark "Chopper" Read he was a modern day outlaw here in Australia that has alot of myth and legend and there are several dramatized versions of his story one of which launched the actor Eric Banners career.
I'm laughing, Sisi is a relitive, so thank you. Poor thing. However anemia, migranes, lung issues, incredibly difficult hair but pretty, yep, it's a family thing. "Hungarian and a royal line!" Very my fair lady!
Can u do empress cixi of china?
When I was little my mom bought me a gorgeous illustrated book about Sisi, so in a weird way I've always had a soft spot for her even tho I never really knew much about her beyond what that book said. Thanks for this video I now know, also I now feel sad as hell
I'm sorry but this is full of historical inacuracies. The Archduches Sophia was not a villian, she just didn't get along with Sissi because they both had very different characters. There are even letters she wrote to friends where she speaks very fondly of Sissi. Also The child Sophia died of Typhoid fever not food poisoning. Also Sissi was not very beloved by the Austrian people. The Hungarians liked her because she helped them politically but the common people of Austria who were starving were not happy with her spending habits and, among other things, her bathing in milk or her building a huge estate on Cofu (while the monarchy was in financial difficulty) that she then got bored with and didn't really use.
This is the lession I learned from watching all the lives of historic Queens and empressess : NEVER MARRY A ROYALTY. YOU GET ALL THE LUXURY BUT THAT IS JUST ANOTHER FORM OF GOLDEN GAGE !!!!
Bro it's so weird how these portraits turn into photos like it makes them more real
Seven Weeks War- Behold the Dreyse Needlegun!
Simon, your beard looks GREAT!
ISIS backwards :P
Wow. And I thought my ex-mother-in-law was bad...
Love the video - just a little correction - it's mAyerling not mEyerling. The story of Rudof has always been fascitnating tome - if you could do a follow-up on him and his poltical view - especially in contrast to his father- it would be highly welcomed!
Perhaps you could make a video on William Samuel Henson. He effectively invented the aeroplane way back in the 1840s. He built working models and his full scale passesnger aircraft probably would have worked had powerfull enough engines existed at the time.
Wow, it's so incredible to see a Biographics video based on Empress Sisi. I've been fixated on her story for years.
The original drama queen.
I've always been intrigued by this Empress story amd the Austrian- Hungarian empire history as well. I've read books on these topics, watched series on Sisi... But your videos are so well made! I loved this one.
@ehrldawg as far as I know, back then it was a common treatment for fatigue and burn-out. At least when one had enough money. So... nothing changed since then **ba dum tss**
It sounds like she thought it helped.
@DrunkenRobot Cant really do when they're talking about your family, no?
Then stop watching
It's astonishing how much Sisi's life was similar to Diana, Princess of Wales'. How horrible to have your children snatched away from you by a cruel mother,-in-law. What happened to Franz Josef, Gisela and Valerie after Sisi's death?
Please stop comparing. Shes not 19th century Princess Diana. Her name is Elizabeth and both of them are unique and different. Youve just chosen this title to get views. Die
Great video. But after Rudolph's death, Sisi had a palace in Corfu built, which she frequented the most
There are serious questions about that supposed murder-suicide of Rudolf and Mary. You should look into that.
That's why I made my own story about the white princess and making another story about sissi fighting back against her mother in law and her right to be happy and rule like the boss queen she truly is
Good one. Found this very interesting
3:41 - All the way down to her ankles???? Wow! Not easy to grow and not easy to take care of! She's lucky she (presumably) had lady's maids to do the job or she almost certain could never have kept it that long! 7:31 - It's a pity Sisi couldn't manage to poison the old B****. 18:38 - Didn't she learn ANYTHING???
You should do a video on The Dowager Empress of China CiXi
Absolutely loved this video, I've known about Sisi since childhood after watching the amazing trilogy operetta movies made about her, which despite not being really accurate to real life, being operettas and all, are really beautiful movies, and did make me very interested in the life of this fascinating woman, as well as of Romy Schneider, the actress who beautifully played her, and who also had kinda of a tragic life.
Epic Rap Battle between Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) vs. Princess Diana !!!!!
There was a movie made back in the day about this story. And I was recently watching it and had no idea the beginning of her story actually did start like that even though it was romanticized in the movie. What a tumultuous life and sad life and end
She was't beloved by the poor. She did NOTHING to help them. In fact in her whole live she never helped anyone in need.
Is Simon on a feminist tour? Praising strong women?
Thank you for this!
Same here
Those very famous portraits of her with her white gown and long hair with stars in it remind me a lot of Christine's first performance dress in Phantom of The Opera. Inspired by Sisi perhaps?
Narrator
Her friend Carmen Sylva was actually Elizabeth, Queen of Romania.
Damn what a tragic story.
She seems more like Marie Antoinette than Diana *Oops I spoke too soon. I get it now.
Very interesting. My only dislike is the red band across the pictures at topic change.
The story was Franc Joseph gave Sisi a venereal disease, did not support her right to be a mother, so no more babies & more traveling around. I doubt very much she had an affair with any one.
I was so focused on the facts that I didn’t notice he has a British accent
one wonders if Diana was Sisi reincarnated.
Please do Elizabeth Feodorovana of Russia the sister of the Tsarina. Her life is a Shakespearean tragedy Thank you
And also a first class neurotic just like lady D
The german "Sch" you pronounce as the english "sh", as in English : >
I thought it was Sissy^^ weird
There's a very good (and mostly accurate, though it ignores some details) German musical about her called Elisabeth das musical. The songs are fantastic and you can find the show with English subtitles on youtube.
Much like Anna Karenina, Sisi lived her life, loved passionately and died quickly. Sure, she had everything: the beauty, the heart – but to quote Leo Tolstoy, _"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow."_
FAST PACED, SUPERFICIAL, VULGAR, AND LARGELY INCORRECT. THE NARRATOR MISPRONOUNCES MOST NAMES. HAPPILY, HE DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO SAY "BARONESS MARY'S" LAST NAME. DOES HE KNOW THAT "THE POET CARMEN SYLVA" WAS QUEEN OF ROMANIA?
ew i had to stop after six minutes. when you were saying how great it must to be some guy in his mid-20s getting together with a 15 year old i gagged and then when you called her a young tramp for no reason im like, ok thats enough. i think you can do better.
She is beautiful
Please get the facts correctly. She might have been beautiful, happy or unhappy, but what she never was was "co-regent", she was consort
Neat,
oh and BTW they didn't pick her elder sister, it's also a complete myth. They purposely introduced BOTH sisters as suitable candidates for marriage and Franz could choose either of them.
she was the opposite of Diana. Diana was loved by the people, in *and* after life. Sissi was absolutely hated and only made popular after the movies in the 50's. That's when the "legend" started. She was mocked and there where a lot of satires out there (and not without a reason either)
There are so many details wrong, and the geography errors are only the least of them. You must be US-American...
Please provide links to the truth you speak of
this is like the 'sun' version of the real story :D. Sisi was extremely happy when she was first married. They were deeply in love. Even after Rudolfs death when Sisi travelled the world Franz Josef sent her countless adoring love letters ….The story with Rudolf is also much more complex. He had not intended to kill Mary but she threw herself in his arms and had meetings arranged with him via Marie Larisch who was the daughter of one of Sisi's brothers. Mary was not the love of his life and he did not commit suicide for love. He was a deeply troubled young man. Marie Larisch wrote a book later. Her life was also pretty miserable, from being the close companion of the empress to dying destitute in a nursing home.
I've read so much about her and other royals. She was so beautiful. Her life was tragic...especially with her son.
In austria too she is quite beloved. I have some austrian friends and they all adore her. I think she figures heavily in the culture there.
Sisi! They still show the movies about her life every year around Christmas here in Germany.
Carmen Silva aka Queen Elizabeth of Romania
Lovely video Simon! I must admit that the English pronunciation of foreign names always gets me giggling... like when Americans pronounce the Japanese Harakiri as Harry Kerry.
Are you really too stupid to pronounce german names?
Slow down! Are you in a race?!
please make a video about zita of bourbon-parma, the last empress of austria!
Lovely. Everything old is new again, eh? Thanks again, Simon.
I have an interesting idea for a Biographic: HOW ABOUT Lucifer? or more specifically the evolution of the character over time?
Oh the poor woman. This woman's life will stay with me I feel so bad for her :'(
You know its funny since it's the father's genetics that determines the sex of the child. No one has control over it but blaming the mother is even more pointless than it actually is.
Do Jay-Z or Nipsey Hussle please
The actress, Romy Schneider, who portrait her in the movies also had a very tragic live story, i would love to see a video about her life!
Thank you for this video and greetings from her birthplace! Ive always been fascinated by Sissi Just one thing.. i cannot stand how you pronounce her name, the 's' should be harder
Sissi and her siblings were NOT in line to the Austrian throne. Both Princess Ludovika and Archduchess Sophie were born princess of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach. Franz Joseph (Sophie's son) became Emperor of Austria due to his father, Archduke Franz Karl who was the son of Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor and Emperor of Austria (starting in 1804). Francis II's son Ferdinand I then ruled until his abdication in 1848 (he was mentally incapacitated so he was emperor in name only). After his abdication, Franz Joseph became Emperor as the grandson of Francis II and nephew of Ferdinand I. His inheritance of the throne of Austria had NOTHING to do with his mother.
I couldn't help but notice similarities between Empress Sisi and the Korean Empress Myeongseong except Myeongseong was brutally assassinated.
So was Sisi.
Do a video on Ludwig Wittgenstein!
I love that scene. So beautiful.
She was't beloved by the poor. She did NOTHING to help them. In fact in her whole live she never helped anyone in need. This wrote one of her companion ladies in her diary. Even her daughter said so.
Germany as well.
According to wikipedia, Helene ended up marrying Prince of Thurn and Taxis and had the only happy marriage out of all her sisters.
I second that. Emperor Karl was a humane man who died tragically early from pneumonia in exile on the Canary Islands.
Why talk so fast? It’s stressful to process so much information so quickly!
What a great video - really well told story. My only suggestion is to just slow down the delivery slightly - if we're watching it's because we are already interested in the subject matter and the story is interesting enough that you don't need to rush in order to keep our attention. Sometimes you want just a beat to let a particular idea or thought sink in before the next one starts. Otherwise - fab!
That is soooo much more depressing than Diana
Thank you for this documentary. Fantastic story!
Please do one on Amanda Knox
it’s game of thrones
I just found out about her story. She was soooo beautiful. And I think she was intelligent. No wonder lots of people still loves her
Love your video but there is one big mistake - Budapest didn’t unite and become a single city until 1873 so when Sisi and Franz Joseph visited in 1857 it still would have been Buda and Pest.
Please do one on hephaestion?
Thank you for this video it was spot on!
You should also do an episode about the famous American anarchist Emma Goldman. What’s interesting is that she usually supported assassinations of royalty and presidents, but condemned Lucheni’s murder of Elisabeth and essentially kicked him out of the anarchist “society.” Red Emma, as she was called, considered all women to be innocent victims of oppression, even empresses.
YAAAAAAAAAAAS YOU TOOK MY SUGGESTION!!!!!
She’s captivating. I had to do some further research on her and she has many living descendants.
Don't compare Sissi to that emptyheaded spoilt immature phoney Diana was.
I life of heartbreak ended with a literal broken heart
I like this channel, thank you.
Lucy Hartnett There’s a great biography about her that you should check out, “The Reluctant Empress” by. Brigitte Hamann, though it does cover some of the darker aspects of Sisi’s life. She wasn’t exactly a martyr and had her own flaws and demons.
@Sylvia Tock Yes, i know. But i like this guys videos, so why not just make a recommendation?^^
On youtube there are good videos of her tragic life....
It was intentional.
Tracy Rowe If it was, she learned nothing from her past life and made all the same mistakes.
A B I love Sisi, but she wasn’t as saintly as this bio presents her. She was a flawed human being, just like all of us, and had many personal demons she fought with her entire life.
Asterismos It’s basically if “Evita” had a baby with “The Phantom of the Opera” and the baby was raised by “Les Miserables.”
Sue Johnson Just read her Wikipedia. There’s also many biographies written about her, I recommend you check out “The Reluctant Empress” by Brigitte Hamann. It’s probably the most in-depth biography of Elisabeth out there.
@Evgueni Mlodik True, she did eventually lose interest in the palace. Considering though that the palace was finished in 1891, she lost interest in the spring of 1896
She actually got bored with it fairly quickly and hardly ever visited there after 1891.
Clare Kuehn Not anymore. Mary’s letters to her mother have been uncovered in 2015 where she states that she and Rudolf were planning to commit suicide.
She did do her share of charity work, perhaps not as much as Diana, but she did help the poor and the needy, but she never really drew attention to it either.
Sylvia Tock Thank you for pointing that out. She might have found a little happiness in life if she had helped alleve other’s misery.
TK UA She was strong, but also very much broken.
I think she had several undiagnosed mental disorders that were at least partially responsible for her strange behavior.
Same! It was just a tad inaccurate and omitted her equestrian hobby and some other interesting aspects of her personality, but otherwise this was a very good entry.
She was just a child.
Sisi's beauty was a favorite subject of the European press, who had given her the name "The Queen Of Hearts". After Rudolf and Sisi's deaths, it was said that Franz-Josef was never, even for a moment, a happy man again. His sole remaining heir to the throne was his nephew, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose name you should know.
The first time I knew sisi is when I saw her painting in Corfu. She have a Villa their dedicated for Achilles because he is her hero from Greek mythology
Cover louis the xiv and maria theresa pleasee?
Okay, so this biographic may have its flaws, but on the other hand I love reading all the comments from people who just discovered Elisabeth’s life story and taken under its spell. Now they will go on to look up more literature and sources on this fascinating woman, creating a whole new generation of fans. That’s what truly matters.
Toss the cleverness and just present the story.
will this channel be doing a video on her son?
I really like Sisi
Noooooooooooooo, her father was Duke Maximilian "IN" Bavaria. A Duke *of* Bavaria and Duke *in* Bavaria are/were totallyyyyyyyyyy different things fyi. P.s. SAimon I love you haha.
What’s interesting is Elisabeth’s assassination was condemned by most mainstream anarchists. Emma Goldman, a major anarchist figure that she usually supported assassinations of royalty and presidents, condemned Lucheni’s murder of Elisabeth and essentially kicked him out of the anarchist “society.” Red Emma, as she was called, considered all women to be innocent victims of oppression, even empresses.
“All of us have danced with death, but no one like Elisabeth!”
Donna Cianciosi And baby Sophie died in Debrezin.
@euroblazer there are several parts of it... it's in German, but maybe there are subtitles. It's heavily romanticized. 1. Sissi 2. Sissi - die junge Kaiserin 3. Sissi- Schicksalsjahre einer Kaiserin
Hi, could you tell me what the title of this movie is? Thank you.
Pauline E. She was kind of a dull and unremarkable woman, especially compared to Sisi.
mateus oliveira *Wittelsbach
Kohlenstoffisotop12 “Sisi” was the original spelling, but it became “Sissi” in the fictional portrayals and sometimes it’s misspelled as “Sissy.”
Leah Fugere Jeez, he was being facetious. Also, Elisabeth was 16 when they got married and Franz Joseph was 23. That was a typical age for married couples back then, especially amongst royalty. People back then didn’t have the same life span as they do now and women’s child bearing years were a lot shorter.
@Evgueni Mlodik happens to the best of us
Elgreco21 Whoops. That’s what I get for writing a comment at 2:30 am.
Evgueni Mlodik thanks sounds truer to form
Lauren Bee My favorite dramatization of her story is the Austrian/German musical “Elisabeth.” It treats her entire life as a love affair with Death, which is presented as a handsome young man who resembles Heinrich Heine, Sisi’s favorite poet and writer.
Oh I’ll have to look them up. Thank you. It was a very happy go lucky story in the movie I saw and it looked dubbed in English. Not at all like the real story
Lauren Bee There were actually many films and plays made about her, most of them are sadly unknown in America.
italoluder Gisela and Marie Valerie must’ve played one hell of a banjo.
@Evgueni Mlodik they were all related. Her parents were first cousins. So were the emperor and her. Therefore its not surprising she was excentric and weird
As a hungarian Sissi was my favorit princess when I was little
Could you please do an Elizabeth of York story please man
Title draws in people that don't know who she was. Great video and smart labeling.
Doc's Channel It’s a great checking, but they need better fact checking in some of their videos.
@Evgueni Mlodik I love the channel and wish the more interesting videos got the same views as the famous people
Doc's Channel And it was smart to use her nickname so not to confuse her with all the other famous queens/empresses named Elisabeth/Elizabeth.
It's always tragic when people think they are sticking it to the man, but the target of their aggression is actually just another victim.
John Dee Many anarchists condemned Lucheni’s murder. Emma Goldman proclaimed he wasn’t a “true” anarchist and that he had no right to kill Elisabeth. She considered all women to be oppressed, even empresses. And the law in Geneva knew just how to punish Lucheni. He wasn’t tried as a political assassin, only as a common murderer and he was not given a death sentence to avoid martyring him with other anarchists or socialists. He was denied to make the statement he wanted to make by killing Elisabeth and was instead turned into a pathetic joke.
"Female suffering was practically a spectator sport"...great way to undermine your legitimacy as a source of history.
She was just a child...my mom is a descendant from this family she told me the real History of the royals..she was also raised by her grandmother . They are only human...tough family.
@Pauline E. Okay, I see your point.
@Evgueni Mlodik unremarkable? she became a refugee. she wasn't allowed back to austria until much much later. she helped raise funds of austria and hungary after the WW2. THEY RESISTED NAZIS IN AUSTRIA. what's unremarkable about that??
YES
@grace246 so she was a princess but not a queen?Oh well at least she was happy
very disrespectful of you guys to call her the 19th century Diana when she came before her and did none of Diana's charitable works...ijs.
I want the information, but the way you talk makes me tired.
Where was this video when I went to vienna last year
They hadn’t a loveless marriage. He loved her so much choosing her over her sister even tho he knew that her sister was the better option for the role as empress. She didn’t hated her position and used it for herself (traveling and perforce riding in England and Hungary) and her son was more into democratic ideas than she was but she hated the people and the etiquette. She lost er freedom but was kind of a narcissist person. You can’t quite say that she was anorexic. She did huge workouts (-a shame for that time more for an empress) and walks riding and traveling without passing out. She did love her children but could only enjoy her motherhood with her last child and even than she wasn’t into it because all were taken from her. She would never give up on herself for her children.
Her life story was exquisite . May she rip.☯️
Her mission.
I remember watching a cartoon based on this when I was little.
I had no idea that there were so many anarchists running amuck killing so many heads of state/royals!
Laughed so hard at the 19th century joke. Yeah, the 1800s are the worst for women, rest of history not so much and it depends on where.
Sissi is pronounced with a short first i, like if u call someone who is a scardy cat a siddy
"heirs and spares"
Awesome video...Greetings from Austria
Sisi's summer palace in Corfu was part of the war reparations Greece received from Austria at the end of WWI. Also the palace was used in a James Bond movie.
I loved the video but it's eliSabeth not eliZabeth
@Evgueni Mlodik ohh yes actually!! Lol stupid me! And if you wanna pronounce it perfect you pronounce it like "Eliiisabet" people always ignore the iii part
It's pronounced "Elisabet," the "h" is essentially ignored.
@Evgueni Mlodik sorry I don't get it
And it's "set," not "seth."
She started out as a spoiled, super-indulged child of privilege and she should have known better than to disagree with Sophia. She set up her own misery and she was a brat. Thank goodness she finally grew up.
She was spoiled, but she was still just a child. She barely even knew basic biology. It took Franz Joseph three days to "consummate" the marriage, and he essentially had to take her by force.
Per chance... is this the same Sisi that fox kids had a crappy cartoon of in early 2000?
Both cartoons were just thinly veiled commercials for Sissi fashion dolls.
Hohoh!
Yes. There was also a reboot several years ago, it was even worse.
She is one of my faves...
Whaaaat but the Emperor loves her madly! How could you said it's a loveless marriage?!
Empress Sisi reminded me a Princess "Liselotte"Elizabeth-Charlotte,Duchess d'Orleans(1652-1722)even She wasn't beauty but by spirit and intellectual energy they were alike. Women were just pawns in the name of politics, and brood mares. Life in a gilded cage was to be prisoner!!!
as sad as it is to say. finally found a woman who's life and death was even worse then Diana's. WTF is wrong with this world?!
Thank you
Next time could you please use reliable sources instead of websites which love to romanticise Sisi's life? I mean it is true tho, some incidents were tragic, but I am currently writing about her for University and your documentary sounds more than a drama than her life. You would be shocked how she really was and what reliable sources tell you about her.
one could think you took your information from the "Sissi" trilogy...
Susanna Maier Actually, it seems more as if he looked up the Michael Kunze/Sylvester Levay musical or the 2004 TV movie with Arielle Dombasle, since the Sissi movies don’t mention anything overtly tragic about Elisabeth’s life.
Funny with that story. I knew some of the people, but for example never knew that Sissi's mother and empress Sophia were sisters. I do wonder though, what about Arkas? or the siblings of Sissi, from the series. Were they all made up? the name of Von Grossberg, where does that come from? Or Franz' apparent brother, Karl...?
Marianne Jensen EMPRESS Sophia? She wishes! She was an Arch Duchess.
You didn’t mention the German play, ‘Elizabeth’ that was made about her life, with a supernatural twist.
Siobahn Hurley He didn’t really mention any dramatizations about Sisi’s life. And I wouldn’t classify the musical as “supernatural,” it almost feels like a “cosmic horror” story.
To be fair, she’s often compared to Princess Diana. Whether that’s apt or not is a whole other matter.
Ginny Jolly Dare I believe you haven't heard that phrase before?
Wait, what's the difference? pls explain
Thank you for this comment!
My great grandma met empress Sisi! back when her bit of Poland belonged to Austria and Sisi was visiting Austrian primary schools. even when she was really old she said that Sisi was one of the nicest people she'd ever met. Another part of my family is German so I used to watch the Sisi TV series as a kid (and many documentaries etc bc she's kind of a hero in Germany). Perhaps unsurprisingly the show wasn't as tragic as her actual life but it might be interesting to watch if you liked this video idk
These videos are astounding, well done sir
I think her contemporaries such as Empress Eugenie of France and Empress Carlota, a sister in law of Sisi, were much more beautiful and I think their stories should be told more. Plus they had more tragedy in their stories, especially Carlota who never got over her husbands death and essentially went “mad”.
I had only ever heard of her when Karl Lagerfeld did a short movie on her with Cara Delevigne and Pharell Williams. This is perhaps very telling of his thirst for history and knowledge...scoping out a vulnerable and delicate princess from the past to be his muse.
Lady Randolph Churchill once saw her on horseback. Everyone was waiting to see the beautiful Sisi but when when trotted by she held a fan over her face up to her eyes. She was terribly shy of crowds and hated attention.
I'm a history enthusiast but had never heard of her -- thanks for this great video!
As a Dane, I wish you would cover some of our more interesting Royals. Especially Margrethe I because, well, it does take some incredible wiles to untie 3 kingdoms. Especially when 2 of those are Denmark and Sweden. Other interesting royalty would be Cnute the Great, Valdemar I and Valdemar IV. (Or Valdemar the Great and Valdemar, uh, Atterdag, meaning either 'a new dawn' or 'those were the days'). But of course, Denmark never really had very much long-lasting marks on history, so... Eh. I think it's interesting, so there!
@Jane Beatty Please do not call these people Swedish royals. It hurts my Danish soul XD
Sigart We don’t hear much about Margarethe or the Swedish Royals but I adore both families. Very close and healthy families.
How fascinating and well narrated. You make history really interesting. Thanks, Simon!
Jane Beatty yeah she defined herself on how her body looked
Malena Sander She was definitely a fanatic about gaining weight. She wanted that 18-20” waist size even after having children.
He was shot
Great, now i've gotta watch the musical again.
Thomas Hessling not even close
Whoa, it has been awhile since I heard her name. But I remember her, because her cousin was King Ludwig (the Swan King) of Bavaria. I have a book about her that I bought in Schloss Neuschwanstein . ^_^
Could you do one on Hürrem Sultan?? Or any of the significant female sultans during the sultanate of women in the Ottoman Empire !! They’re power behind the scenes is extremely intriguing!
I'm from Trieste... basically, it's in Italy now but still has deep Austrian-Hungarian roots (we still have popular songs saying "life was so good under Austria" ;P). Unfortunate Archduke Maximilian and his wife Charlotte lived there before his fateful trip to Mexico. And of course, like in Budapest and in Vienna, there is a statue of Sisi.
Her marriage was much happier than Charles and Diana. They did love each other and later on she selected the mistresses to make sure her husband would be happy. She never cared about her children with the exception of her last daughter Valerie (often called the only one).
I'm austrian so the amount of people who haven't heard of Sisi surprises me
ah yes the only thing austria is known for beside hitler
Mozart...?
Sisi seems refreshingly human with all her faults, quirks, and talents. Thank you for covering such an interesting person.
Ew
Damn, real life Archduchess Sophie is an even bigger bitch than in the cartoon.
Me, obsessed with Das Musical Elisabeth: :D
One branch of my family came from the Austro-Hungarian empire. My mother's grandfather came to the USA from there as a 14-year-old cabin boy on a merchant ship. Other relatives of his followed. Thank you for this very interesting look into what life was like for the empress.
Thanks for profiling her. She is one of my favorite persons and beloved cousin of Ludwig II.
18:30 Ryan Reynolds
Yeah cuz gender is the girl’s fault.
Is Otto the brother of Ludwig II? Maybe I’m thinking of a different Otto (forgive me I’m a bit rusty on this part of history) but didn’t he have schizophrenia? Why would they give him the role of leader if he was mentally ill and unfit?
Bald man is cool, I like her biography !!! !!! Actually this is the 1st time I heard about her stories
I'm surprised that you forgot to mention her previous relationship with King Ludwig II of Bavaria and how they got betrothed but he broke off their wedding, prior to her marrying Franz Joseph... On that note, I think it would be very interesting if you made a biographic on Ludwig. He is the man behind German's biggest tourist attraction, the castle Neuschwanstein and several other castles in Germany. Also, when are we getting that Josip Broz Tito video? I think a guy who basically invented guerrilla warfare in the 2nd world War and who fought the Germans, Italians and their puppet states and who united the most of the Balkan peninsula into a singular country deserves a biographic
Simon - just like with Pocahontas, you did a fabulous job. I was deeply moved by this portrayal. She is a tragic figure, indeed. As a writer, I must say that I am incredibly fond of history, and it seems in here, you've provided us with a lot of very interesting people. With them, loads of inspiration for new characters.
i visited her summer palace in corfu, greece. it's been documented that she spent 4-6 hours daily on her beauty regiment.. with all i read about her she strikes me as sentimental and very vain. she interested me because her story seems like a tragic fairy-tale and she fits the archetype of the helpless disney princess so damn perfectly
It's pronouced Sissi, but great video!
Kitty Vu You can’t really tell a pronunciation by just spelling the name.
Soetpotatis You got it wrong. He was engaged to Sisi’s younger sister Sophie, and that happened over a decade after Sisi married Franz Joseph. Sisi was the one responsible for their engagement, but Ludwig eventually broke it off, probably due to his homosexuality. Sophie later married the Duke of Alençon and died in a freak fire accident in 1897, a year before Sisi’s murder.
OutOfSight OutOfMind Elisabeth’s life has inspired many authors and artists.
Evgueni Mlodik they would have been perfect for each other! I loved the story of their little desk where they left letters for each other. Much more suited than Ludwig and her sister!
julie wisley They were kindreds spirits. Eccentric and emotionally tortured people who coped with their mental issues by locking themselves away in a fantasy world.
Schnitzel?
Gabriella Carlotta actually wasn’t as beautiful as her official portraits made her out to be.
Ima Karimah I think he might’ve meant that Sisi’s feelings weren’t mutual. She was neurotic and frigid, she knew she couldn’t love him the same way he loved her and even encouraged him to get a mistress. She supported and endorsed his lifelong affair with an actress named Katharina Schratt, who was nicknamed “The Uncrowned Empress of Austria” after Sisi’s death.
I love this type of documentary... casual yet very interesting and attention getting! Thank you
Awesome video! I never heard of her till now.
‘Sisi managed to keep her misery bottled up,Rudolph though wouldn’t be so strong’. Sorry There is nothing strong about bottling it,it’s denial and unhealthy and probably a lot to do with why her life was so difficult and why he was suicidal.
A lot of liberals nowadays ironically are aggressive.
@Evgueni Mlodik I am not even slightly surprised.
@Evgueni Mlodik Yes, it truly is lmao
Perhaps, but her photographs do show she was still a great deal more attractive than Carlotta, but I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
@Evgueni Mlodik Neither was Sisi
She needs an epic, big budget, HBO miniseries like 5yrs ago!!!
Thank you for all your research! I Love your Bio-documentaries! Please do one on Otto von Habsburg - I met him several times in Strasburg at the Europen Parlement in the 80's. He came across as a kind, humble true Royal who always gave his absolute full attention to the person he was in conversation with. Even to a very junior babbling diplomat from South Africa like me. His brilliant daughter Walburga (who wore none-grand size 8 or 9 flat school-type shoes ; ) usually accompanied him and acted as his aide. He spoke all European languages fluently. A very impressive man.
this is the first time i watched ur video and i really enjoyed it
Thank you :)
my username is sisilessthan3 but just cuz my name is isis, i put it backwards to avoid terrorist jokes. but some ppl think my name is sisi, i didnt know it was a real name lol
******************************************************** Hey man, would you consider writing a Biographics video for Leonora Carrington? I have her Chapeau Rouge tattooed on me and her other works are just as good (in my eyes anyway!). Not sure if there's enough material for a video but she led an interesting life, including being chased across the Atlantic by her nanny in a submarine, strong connections and influence to the surrealist and feminist movements (you've been pushing for more female viewers recently and I commend your efforts, this may help too), and I'm sure there was a story about her shaving hair from her guests and adding it too their food without their consent, something like that. Pretty interesting life, may make a good video. Good work with your channels, keep it up.
Sisilessthan3 It’s a German diminutive for “Elisabeth.”
Melissa Thieme She wasn’t a “bitch.” She did what she had to do for her family and the empire. She’s always vilified in various dramatizations of Sisi’s life (even in this video), but most of her grievances against her daughter in law were correct.
Wow this sounds like my ex monster in law and her toxic narcissist son
0:30 BAVARIAN background, not Bohemian.
Well, at least you weren't stabbed to death by a crazed Italian commie.
I just started reading a mystery book that includes her as a character.
SHAME SHAME - you don't need to go to the Continent for a Dianesque Princess. Princess Alexandra married to the borish Prince Edward suffered a haggish mother n law, Victoria. She was an enlightened soul who cared for the poor and downtrodden with humility and honest affinity, such as being a bff of the Elephant Man.
Great job!
I was in vienna and heard this story also went to castle it's magical
One of my favorite musicals
Mmmm...the first photo is not Elisabeth but her younger sister Marie Sophie
I used to watch this cartoon on her life that was great
went to the palace in vienna and joind the sisi tour, but they framed her as a poor girl who's free spirited and loved to enjoy life, a bit marie antoinette-esque i feel like. but didn't talk about her political work =/ i feel like this video is more informative
Same Sisi is a culture figure and basically our own Disney Princess its crazy people never heard of her!
I grew up watching the Sisi movies. They made it seem so much more romantic. I can't believe her life was this sad.
Reading a novel about her now
Rather, Diana should be called the 20th century Empress Sisi because Diana lived later.
Which book?
I think he meant Sisi’s father lead a “Bohemian lifestyle.”
I think Andressy is pronounced Andreshshi...
"Pumped Out"? What a description!
I can listen to you talking for hours.
Thanks :). Fortunately you can ;)
The way people pronounce Sissi. Really, really weird.
I know here she was 2 classes under me she had stayed seated three times. At school it has to do with the fact that she was born out of incest. she had bad body odor though she Although she washed herself once a month, which was a lot for this time
@Evgueni Mlodik It is from the Lady Emily Mysteries series it is called A Fatal Waltz. I am about half way through buy definitely recommend the book and its series.
Great!
I wonder what would have happened if she stayed in bavaria
Everyone knows her in Germany/Austria because there’s a pretty famous movie trilogy with Romy Schneider that basically everyone watches in the Christmas season for some reason lol
I loved her ever since I was 8 and visited Corfu and her home there. Also there was a cartoon with Sissi and I used to watch it all the time!
Could you possibly do Marilyn Monroe? I feel her story is misunderstood by pop culture and her life is heartbreaking
The “poestress Carmen Silva” is queen Mary of Romania
Sisi spelled backwards is isis
The **poet** Carmen Silva, really?
i had never heard of her.ilove these
@Evgueni Mlodik I was born in the year 1841
iiiuuvgtfgd ihflgyxzzß Jesus, how old are you?!
Lovely tribute she is remembered many places
This makes "marrying into royalty" childhood dreams sound awful.
Aka the women in the boring as moving series my grandma makes me sit trough every christmas. Her real life is much more interesting.
Hi. I’m a new fan of yours. I stumbled upon this video and as soon as I saw the first three seconds I pressed subscribe. I’m don’t usually subscribe to many people.
Why u didnt mention that she stayed at Corfu palace with the great sculpture of Achilles wounded by an arrow on his foot...? Anyways u i watch your biographies lectures n u miss many facts ...also Sisi at Corfu palace was so dark that wished to all die n that she watched by the ppl which near from her...on very well i m out
you can never see the top of his head
Who still remembers the Sissi the animated series and by the way felt sorry for the way she was treated.
Please do Romy Schneider!
Make this into a movie RIGHT NOW
Beautifully tragic. Simon, *sniff*, you've outdone yourself.
That was a gorgeous video. Well researched and beautifully composed and executed.
why do i feel like i care about her? she sounds like me in some terms, i love her already
The Poet Carmen Sylva....you mean Queen Elizabeth of Romania?
There are many movies, plays, musicals, tv shows, and even cartoons already made about her.
I love these historical videos so much, it shocks me that the same mind could also create the scourge that is top ten videos.
I will never complain about Queen Elizabeth ever again. Sisi's mother-in-law was a true monster that enjoys torturing a beautiful flower.
Bey could you do a documentary on Colette? The author of cauldine in paris she also has a movie about her called colette. She wrote books under her husband name and evantually became a actress and had a female lover named missy. I just think it'd be a intresting topic of a video like this
*hey not bey
Sophie Songbird I'm from Argentina and my dad made me watch that trilogy when I was like 8 years old. He loves it. I know it's a classic, but I didn't know it was that famous in Austria and Germany. Now I feel like watching it again because I can barely remember it!
A lot of romanticised information. Neither accurate as Sissi learned already Hungarian through her father when she was still living in Possenhofen. Her father was Maximilian IN Bavaria , not OF Bavaria. A lot of inexact stuff more.
yup that's my name, NICE.
Wow, talk about a mother-in-law from hell.
There's a beautiful portrait of her by Georg Raab at the Belvedere in Austria. In it she is very striking with her smug, haughty expression. I stared at it for a long time, captivated. I felt I would have liked her.
Simon, I really like your short films as they are always very thoroughly researched. That is why I thought I may take the liberty to correct you regarding Elisabeth's nickname. It is written with two s'es - Sissi. (I am sure of that as I am Austrian :-) To be totally honest, I have no idea whether the "english translation" of Sissi is Sisi or not (i.e. the translation of Nürnberg is Nuremberg - a little bit weird). Nevertheless, her Name was pronounced with an emphasis on the two "s" (just like e.g. baroness) and not the first "i". Many thanks for your passion & interesting work! Best, Markus
Is there any biopic on her?
I think it became a Christmas tradition because the three movies could be broadcast over the three holidays, also very family friendly so everyone from a toddler to grandma can watch.
Fun fact: Milk-drinking Sisi traveled with her favorite cow. Her great-granddaughter stayed with us several years ago for ten days. We toured her movie-star mother's Los Angeles hot spots, including her sidewalk star. Sisi was a giant, ahead of her time.
Ana Polo that’s so cool !
Sophie Songbird haha yeah my dad loves movies. Plus, I guess he felt particularly drawn to these movies because his grandfather (or great grandfather) from his mom's side was from Austria ☺️
glittery_cucumber that’s true !
Ana Polo wow I had no idea people know about these movies in Argentina
Im I the only one who sees the similarities between Sisi's(mixed with Victoria's life a bit) and Potema's life?
Sissy
Great woman! Btw. I'm sure you knew it, but Rudolf's death is very suspicous and it could easily be murder.
Also in Greece she is known from the same movie. Though for us is no tradition, we watch normally before 12 years old. Maybe because is one of the few films that is interesting for both young and old people.
Markus Menedetter Nope. It was originally written as “Sisi.” It was only spelled “Sissi” in films and books.
Chandan Kishore Chutia There are several movies and tv miniseries, but they’re all a bit too cutesy and overly romanticized. The closest there is to a biopic is a popular Austrian/German musical “Elisabeth,” but it’s also a bit stylized. (Death is a character and is portrayed as Elisabeth’s lover and the show is narrated by her murderer from beyond the grave.)
Schmößi Schmon Sissi stuck to her like oatmeal.
@Yvonne Winters awesome !
@Gigi that´s so interesting to me omg
Here in The Netherlands as well!!
*Elizabeth of Romania
Robert Vasterink Went insane defending her husband’s kingdom of Two Sicilies.
I remember my grandmother talking about her all the time. Never really understood why since we are German Irish and Scottish? I feel her pain though. Depression sucks very badly!
I am a lover of books and history. I love that he gets other people interested in history!!!
I would love that!! I love learning history, especially about powerful women
Pumped out? Wtf?!
Ludovicus and Maximilian were NOT royal! Aristocrats yes, but they did not hold the royal title OF Bavaria buy rather IN Bavaria. Sofie WAS royal.
It's SISSI with a double S. Just saying.
It is famous in all post Austro-Hungarian Empire countries (Hungary, Austria, Czechia, Slovak,...).
I LOVE the film Sissi with Romy Schneider...I never knew the real history...thank you.
Austrian here! Sissi is really really popular here still, we have a famous film trilogy, you can visit her home and so many places she has been to and lived at, and even have a musical about her (Elisabeth) - it's amazing and really captures her struggles!
Hi there! Just popping in to say that it's pronounced like 'sissy', not 'CeCe'
She got married on my birthday
Gosh, why do I feel like I can relate to her so much?! Thank you for this
We're not talking about the Egyptian president sisi.
Why is it that the most beautiful souls (Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, Empress Sisi, etc.) in the world have to suffer so much?
Simon - you're too close. If we were face to face, I'd have to push back!
I just felt weird to compare Sisi with Princess Diana. Kaiserin Elisabeth was beloved by her husband in his whole life, she was his "angel Sisi". But other than that, she's my Queen.
Please make a video about Ludwig II of Bavaria, Sissi's best pal.
Sissi's murderer was diminutive. stood only 1.626 m next to taller 1.72 m Sissi. She had quite a wonderful painless death after all. You forgot telling Sissi was kind of anorexic and bulimic.
excellent Simon as always excellent
Hannah XX Alle tanzten mit dem Tod – doch niemand wie Elisabeth!
HopingForDawn Nope. Only in the movies. Historically her nickname was spelled as “Sisi.”
I live in Haïti but we get French channels and that series is a classic here too! The local tv channel pirated it and I watched this every summer for about a decade as a girl, LOL!
Born and bred in Munich, home to BMW, I often take trips to Lake Starnberg (half an hour southwest of Munich) where Sissi's family resided in the Possenhofen Castle. Though in her time, the waterfront was part of the family estate, making any trespassing illegal, it's been public area since 1985 and tourists have been visiting ever since. It's also been the production site for the 1950s three-part-series of films, about the icon herself, starring the great Romy Schneider as Sissi. The entire family was made of stubborn misfits. But unlike Helene, who was very passionate and had a very happy and loving marriage with the man she loved, Sissi climbed much higher on the social rank, but was distant and unhappy her entire life.
Another two Hungarians who would be interesting are Horthy Miklós and Nagy Imre. Horthy was replaced in WW2 and is controversial and Nagy was the Hungarian leader at the time of the 1956 revolution.
It’s not Elizabeth though, but Elisabeth (ai-lee-s-a(as in ramen)-beth)
There will always be a tense relationship between mother in laws and their daughter in laws
@Evgueni Mlodik tried what? Do you recognize male physic, radiating male energy? Look again.
Gringa Gringa Oh, well. At least you tried.
A. E. And the high social rank ended up being pointless because she ended up living as a private citizen. But I bet she loved the material/financial perks that came with it.
A1977ification That was debunked in 2015 when their suicide letters were made public.
Ryan Karari There was a big budget Italian/German/Austrian/French miniseries “Sisi” from 2008.....it was okay.
julie wisley They were kindred spirits. Eccentric and emotionally tortured people who coped with their mental issues by locking themselves away in a fantasy world.
I watched the cartoon
were is Arch Duchess Sophia at, i just wanna talk...
The anorexia is a myth made by people who don’t understand eating disorders and/ or Elisabeths lifestyle. Basing on her actual eating habits and her exercise level, it’s obvious that she suffered from a case of orthorexia. She ate little, yes, but she really looked for the quality and nutrition of the food she ate, combined with a strict exercise plan containing gymnastic exercises and excessively long walks. She was a really good dressage horse rider. If she had anorexia, she basically wouldn’t have had enough energy to perform her sports at the level she did. Orthorexia is more convincing at this point, since she still had enough energy to do all those activities, which still doesn’t make it less harmful, since she still lost a lot of weight and of course suffered the mental harm. It just always angers me when people say she had anorexia, which she didn’t, it just misrepresents those disorders further.
+ she didn’t try to “punish” herself. She just was unhealthily obsessed with her own looks and physical shape. Strength and beauty were the most important aspects to her life, which is also why she stopped letting Portraits be painted by a certain age. She’s really not the tragic innocent girl she is always portrayed to be. She was sick, yes, absolutely. But she also was really self Centered and made her children “pay for it” with a lot of ignorance.
Please do elizabeth of york I wanna know her full story
Do bio for you mum and dad you bald slap head
Love your work guys!!! Could you do Jadwiga the king of Poland ??
I forgot my manners!! Please, and tia!!
@MorusRubra Croatia as well
18:27 daamn
Who was the movie star relative? Related to sisi?
This would make a great show
Sisi was a woman any man could love; too bad she married a rat.
Simon that was so beautifully told. Thank you. Kind of choked me up at the end tho.
Thank you for doing this video of Sisi, very informative.
I’ve never heard of her. Thank you Simon! You bring things to history geeks that we most likely would have never heard of, as we tend to get fixated on our particular interest.
Very interesting.
Long live Queen Sisi
Sophie Songbird also in Italy xD
The anarchist Killings are a really underrated event in history. Please do more research into them
@Biographics - how the heck does Simon read and look at the camera at the same time? Probably a computer monitor or something where the camera and writing are very close to one another. Anyway bloody good job.
Some of these facts are just false. Nobody took any babies from Sisi. Check your facts
I wish they would make an updated movie about Sissi in English. That would be great!
The beautiful German actress Romy Schneider's signature performance is a three hour film that remains popular to this day in Europe. It is "Sisi." (Ironically, Schneider's life also ended after the death of her own son.)
Today is the 121st Anniversary of the her murder.
Because it was not the duty of an empress to raise a child. Different times
Stefan Nocker He didn’t mean “literally taken,” he meant that Sophie took charge of them as soon as they were born.
Fred C. Wilson III Franz Joseph loves and worshipped her, but sadly they were incompatible.
Somehow every piece of tourist traps seems to have Sissi`s image on it :) Still I see Romy Schneider in my mind thinking about Sissi. btw 10:57 Simon finally says her name right, why not before and after?
Alan Horowitz *three part
Stefan Nocker That still didn’t stop Sisi’s resentment towards Sophie. She’s wants a “typical” consort. She wanted to do things other empresses would’ve balked at. She didn’t even want to change her shoes every day, as tradition dictated.
13:32 Prussia is spelled like this.
Alan Horowitz, actually, the English dubbed version called “Forever My Love” was edited down from all three movies and released stateside in 1962.
@Evgueni Mlodik Fair enough. Sorry but i didn't have the patience to sit through the whole thing. My girlfriend at the time watched it on Belgian TV over I don't know ow many nights (when I lived in Europe) and, with all due respect, it did seem to go on forever.
There is a short bibliography below under "petitmort"; annotated
C. C? She had Geass
Exactly. Isolated E from her children!
LOL. I've heard MUCH worse!
@Alan Horowitz, oh it totally is! It fashions a whimsical fairy tale out of what was a very tragic and unhappy life.
@Evgueni Mlodik Thanks for the info. Truth be told, the film was kind of chick flicky to me. The ex loved it. Me, it put me to sleep.
Ein Deutscher Chick Flick? Ach der sheisse!
Simon do Omar Sharif
I am from Austria an live in Vienna for about 8 years now. The Sisi-Cult is extrem, a whole bunch of tourists are visiting Vienna just for her. She also loved to ride which was also very unusual of her time and status. It's such a sad story of arranged marriage and unfortunatly still happening in a lot of parts of the world right now. I also worked for the Museum of Fine Arts and it's various locations in Vienna and you can see a lot of Sisi-stuff there like one of her dresses (her waist was tiny), the carriage of her funeral (both in the Imperial Carriage Museum - yes, it's a thing) or her actual coffin in the Imperial Crypt (which I visited just this weekend for the first time - she lies next to her husband in pretty simple coffins compared to the one from Maria Theresa; Although I guess people were not that smitten with monarchy after the First WW). It was also rumored at the time that her fourth child Valerie was actually from Andrassy and not FJ.
As a Hungarian,I wish there were more documentation of her.
Karl was the last rightful ruler of Austria.
It is a bit overrated to say the archduchess Sophie was a villain, totally against Sisi and snatching her grandchildren away. They may have had their indifferences, but it wasn't as bad as suggested in the movie, according to historians. The movie may have been nice, but did not always stick to the facts.
Please would you leave the portraits of historical characters up for a longer period of time? I often listen while doing other things and half of the time when I glance to see the picture I see the narrator. Thank you so much
Fascinating story. Amazing that despite the many differences, history does repeat itself, in more ways than one! She sure was a beauty and into weight training before her time except for circus strong women at that time. BTW, little did they know back then or even in Henry the 8th's time, that it's the male chromosomes that determine the sex of a baby, not the women's! So Anne Boleyn and others got beheaded for nothing! smdh Thanks for sharing~
Thank you Simon et al, it's sad that even a history geek like me knew way more about the men mentioned in the biography than the woman it was about... I need to correct this.
Major difference between Sisi and Diana is that Sisi was, you know, PRETTY.
I have every book ever written about her. I just have never figured out why there aren't any documentaries about her. And finding a book about Sophia is impossible. She was the most interesting,complex woman.
As a Czech I can confirm that everyone knows she wasn't Hungarian but Czech, and that she is more known than Diana
Wow... Well... Damn... That was surprisingly powerful!!!
@C Moore Elissa Landi
princess sisi was a show i grew up watching cartoon
She will never replace the late diana of wales.
Much wrong and simplistic. She was a mentally troubled woman obsessed with her beauty and obsessed with her weight. She hated the physical side of marriage. The Wittlesbach family was renowned for their eccentricity.
Used to be famous in Mongolia too
My favourite place ever is Schonbrunn in Vienna, another is Belvedere, just a couple of tiny house lived in by Sisi and her Husband
In Asia too. My Chinese parents watched it too
She wasn't the 19th century Diana. That's just trying to get viewers.
very tragic!, p.s. it was painful ;)
Sisi and lily a Bit of Irish
Why was Sisi’s mother in law allowed to take her children? I would’ve been like a mad cat!
I read that Franz Joseph I was devasted by the loss of his nephew Archduke Ferdinand, son Rudolph, brother Emperor Maximillian of Mexico but the one that hurt him the most was the loss of his wife Sisi. He never remarried and was devastated. I sympathize with him considering I lost family.
Sisi was the focus of a couple of highly romanticized films... Austrian made movies, if memory serves. Before viewing them a few years ago, I had never heard of the beautiful and tragic wife of Franz Josef. The movies glossed over the fact that her marriage to her _first cousin_ was the next thing to incest. Inbreeding is a very creepy thing... you never know what defects are lurking in a strand of DNA, and doubling down on that is just too risky.
WifeofagrumpyoldMarine That was the way things were done back then. The fact that Sisi fought against it was more or of an exception to the rule.
@Kim Quinn Sissi
I feel totally left out!!! I'm from USA. What is the names of the trilogy please?
very nice indeed
Well written. Well told. Fascinating!
Thanks for this about sissi. Im supposed to be related to her. Not much information about her life. Thanks again.
13:31 "Prusia" are you serious its focking Prussia
She “pumped” her baby out? Who wrote this?
What's the name of the song at 4:15
My husband and I were in Vienna and Austria in June.. I know this history of this family.. Wow. We visited all those places you've talked about..
well, I've never heard my country described as mysterious and exotic lol
She sounds like a spoilt little brat unable to adapt to life's requirements
it was so nice to hear people mention hungary's rich histrory. it is one of the reasons i love our country :)
Spoiled, self-centered fool. She got what she deserved.
My name is Sissiane, but everyone calls me Sissi, I'm from Brasil and we share a lot of similarities, both physical and personality traits as well, so crazy!
Archduchess Sophia can CATCH THESE HANDS
When I was young, there was a cartoon on television called "Princess Sissi," (I am surprised through all the comments I looked at no one mentioned it) which aired on November 27th 1997. It was my favorite! Of coarse, it was not historically accurate other than the Arch Duchess Sophia being an absolute terror to her. I am happy I now know the true story that inspired the cartoon, thank you!
Just discovered you & I’m totally Loving your video’s, new subscriber here!
2:54 That picture of Franz Joseph looks an awful lot like a young Benedict Cumberbatch. Anyone else think so?
ferdinand I had a big forehead
Shambhalaubie, look closer, it’s been brought up several times.
L A So did Princess Diana.
Wow, Rudolf was so handsome. But that Princess Stephanie looked so plain.
That poor woman.
Sissi, as a kid I loved the first movie. I’m going listen to the podcast tonight.
This needs to be a movie!
Word had it that she always used the Hungarian skin care product, Helia D', which is still available in Hungary and online. It's a fantastic cream and dirt cheap!
Maybe we Hungarians learned history a different way, but the empire involving Hungary, was always mentioned as Austro-Hungarian Empire, nor just Austrian Empire.
Mexicans got on buts *SISI* !
peace_pacetta_ Love Mexicans killed her cousin/brother-in-law Maximilian.
Another super sad part is that she was not buried where she asked to be, which i find super sad
What's Slovakia? You mean northern Hungary? One Hungary policy
caroline salv It is. Several movies, cartoon shows, tv miniseries, and a famous musical.
@Evgueni Mlodik I don't know, I still think Rudolf looked enigmatic looking.
@Evgueni Mlodik Wow, definitely Diana like
DollsAndSpooks Actually, I always felt he was a bit ghoulish looking. And Sisi’s dislike towards Stéphanie wasn’t unique, she rubbed many people the wrong way, perhaps it has something to do with her father King Leopold II, who was an inhuman genocidal monster that would make Hitler proud. In any case, when Rudolf and Stéphanie’s daughter Erzsi grew up, she renounced her royal titles in order to marry a socialist and became known as the “Red Archduchess.” She definitely took after her grandmother.
@Evgueni Mlodik Dang!
Interesting! thanks!
*Sisi: My life is so miserable, I just wish I was dead.* *Luchemi: **_That is a no problem, signora!_* *_stab_* *_stab_* *_My work here is done. Long live Anarchy!_*
This is the makings of a great movie.
"Austricized" eh.
Poor Sisi. You just really wish she'd lived in a time she could have gotten some sort of help for her mental health issues. I can't imagine having no control over your own life to the degree she did.
WOW, NO COMMERCIALS!! DELIGHTFUL!
Do Maria Theresa
I actually like Helene better than Sissi.
Great story!!!
These Bio's are marvelous! Thank you so much for these vignettes of History!
I saw the title and thought that this individual died in a car crash.
What a strong and tragic person.
So people are really more interested in people like this than musicians? I understand I'm not from the UK but still