Speaker A
Elisabeth of Bavaria, who is also known as Sisi, was considered the most beautiful woman of the 19th century. 15-years-old she traveled with her older sister Helena to the imperial court for a ball. The mother of Emperor Franz Joseph I,
Discover how Empress Sisi of Austria became obsessed with her beauty, from winning Emperor Franz Joseph's heart at 15 to refusing photographs after her forties.
Key Takeaways
- Sisi's beauty was central to her public identity and personal sense of self-worth.
- Early criticism from her mother-in-law may have contributed to her preoccupation with appearance.
- Sisi's refusal to be photographed later in life shaped how history remembers her, as a young beauty.
What the video covers
- Elisabeth of Bavaria, known as Sisi, is described as the most beautiful woman of the 19th century.
- At 15, Sisi traveled with her older sister Helena to an imperial court ball.
- Emperor Franz Joseph's mother had intended for him to marry Helena instead.
- Franz fell in love with Sisi and collected all the bouquets to hand to her at the ball.
- Franz's mother tried to dampen his enthusiasm, criticizing Sisi's appearance by claiming she had yellow teeth.
- The transcript suggests this criticism may have fueled Sisi's lifelong obsession with her beauty.
- Sisi reportedly asked a diplomat to obtain photographs of concubines from Turkish harems to compare herself with beauties worldwide.
- In her forties, Sisi refused to be photographed anymore.
- Sisi wanted to be remembered only as a young, vibrant beauty, and the transcript states that this wish came true.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
had decided to marry her son to Helena. However emperor fell head over heels in love with Sisi.
Speaker A
Franz was supposed to give flowers to all the ladies but the young man collected all the bouquets and handed them to a flustered Sisi. The emperor's mother tried in every way to bring her son back down to earth when he praised his chosen one in her presence. "Sisi is beautiful,
Speaker A
but she has yellow teeth!" said Elisabeth's future mother-in-law. Perhaps this is what fueled her obsession with her own beauty. For example, she asked a diplomat to procure photographs of concubines from Turkish harems. She needed the photos to compare herself with beauties
Speaker A
from around the world. Barely into her forties, Sisi flatly refused to be photographed anymore.
Speaker A
The Empress wanted the world to remember her only as a young, vibrant beauty. And so it was.
Topics:SisiEmpress ElisabethFranz JosephAustrian history19th century royaltyroyal beautyHabsburgimperial court
