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.

As a Hungarian, I can confirm that she is still popular here, she was very well loved within my country.

The saddest part about Crown Prince Rudolf, especially in regards to Sisi, was that he very much took after her. He was melancholic, much like his mother, and he also took after her liberal tendencies. The two likely would have been rather close if it wasn't for Archduchess Sophia's machinations, Sisi's constant trips away from Vienna during Rudolf's upbringing, and her general distaste for his new bride. The two never really got to know each other, and one has to wonder if the tragedy of Rudolf's murder-suicide could have been avoided if he had been close to his mother like he probably could and should have been.

Average inlaws; we're going to be the worst inlaws ever. *Princess Sophia of Bavaria has entered the conversation*

This makes "marrying into royalty" childhood dreams sound awful.

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.

Sisi seems refreshingly human with all her faults, quirks, and talents. Thank you for covering such an interesting person.

Sisi documentaries are so rare!!! Thank you

I will never complain about Queen Elizabeth ever again. Sisi's mother-in-law was a true monster that enjoys torturing a beautiful flower.

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.

There is a classic Austrian movie trilogy of her called "Sissi". Though quite romanticized, it's a very beautiful film. It starred Romy Schneider, such a beauty.

I was in Geneva for the last three months, there is a small memorial plaque at the spot where she was killed

Since you've done Sissi Crown Prince Rudolf would be really interesting, because he had quite a difficult but interesting childhood and his death was just tragic and had severe repercussions for the monarchy.

"But this was the 19th century and female suffering was practically a spectator sport" I actually laughed out loud.

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."_

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.

Poor woman, she was an amazing woman stuck in her role

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.

One tiny correction if I may: "Sisi" originated only from a side branch of the Wittelbachs who ruled Bavaria at that time. Her mother indeed was a princess OF Bavaria(meaning a daughter of the king), but her father (also his wife's cousin by the way) held the title duke IN Bavaria (thus being far less significant than the dukes OF Bavaria). Being a princess IN Bavaria Elisabeth was only 'widely' considered a Bavarian royal but rather an upper class aristocrat.

She had a sad life. I really enjoy everything you said. In a way she’s become my favorite European Queen in history just from this story.

Ssisi lived to the age of 61, she by all accounts lived a full life, longer then most in her day.

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.

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!

She is so popular in Hungary today. When I was there I learned so much about her life and her contributions to the common people of that nation. God bless her.

I love it when Simon gets a little sassy in his story telling. It's a really good video.

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.

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.

I was able to go to Vienna in 1995 for some courses in college. I became obsessed with Sisi. Her story was so tragic....and I was in a bit of a dark place then. I remember going to every single place she lived and even spent a few visits to the imperial crypts. Before I had to come back to the states, I was able to see a musical about her that was running. I was able to understand a decent amount of German, so I could follow along. It was a great musical. It was a story about her and "Death"....and it was a love story between them. Very well done. If you can find it anywhere, I recommend it. I still have the soundtrack. She was a pretty fascinating historical character. Thanks for reminding me of that whole period of my life. :)

I learned more from Bio than reading history or in school , thank you for making these videos

Could you do one on Edgar Allan Poe? There is so much misinformation surrounding him and it would be great if the truth had more exposure. Also, not many know about the softer stories and love poetry.

Bismarck had a plan, Bismarck always had a plan 😉

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.

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!

The 1950's 'Sissi' trilogy is sort of a christmas regular broadcast in German speaking regions lol. But it was very romanticized and after I read more about her, it was far from reality. I prefer the slightly more accurate, sadder and tragic 2009 'Sisi' which was a German/Italian joint production. The full series was uploaded in the German Period Drama channel here in KZfaq. While both versions show Sisi reciprocating her husband's love, it still is being debated whether she truly loved him. I personally think she did for her efforts at reconciliation, her making a place for him in Achilleion, her including him in her written works and their affectionate correspondence towards the end of her life (although by that time they lived separate lives she still made him part of hers). However, she was indeed a reluctant empress but an empress nonetheless and her duties and court etiquette must have been daunting for her. In this case love really isn't enough to make a marriage happy.

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 poet Carmen Sylvae was a pseudonim used by Queen Elizabeth of Romania.

Okay, so I know that this may sound kind of weird considering that she took away her children, but the whole relationship between Sophie and Sisi is actually pretty disputed. Though they definitely weren't friends my any means, Sophie practically always described Sisi as very pleasant and even competent in her personal correspondence and diary and genuinely (and publicly) approved of the love marriage with Franz Joseph. Most of the hate between the two actually stemmed from Sisi, who considered her too demanding and strict for things that were basically normal at the Viennese court, and Sophie removing the children from her care was a genuine, though certainly radical, attempt to better prepare her grandkids for court life than their mother had been (it should also be noted that Sisi wasn't exactly great as a mother when she eventually took more custody of her children, often far too preoccupied with other projects and her travels to genuinely care for them). So, yeah, she wasn't nearly the monster that writers and film makers later portrayed her as, just a very concerned and overinvolved grandma, who (not incorrectly) assumed Sisi couldn't quite handle her wifely, motherly and courtly duties all at once. And about the pamphlet: there are actually several conspiracy theories around that, but it is rather unlikely that Sophie was behind it, as in a letter she basically noted that she was certain Franz Joseph and Sisi were still in love, so another child would only be a question of time, leaving her without a motive (she did really press her to make another potential heir later on though). In any case at that point Sisi already had enough rivals at court that there is no shortage of suspects. And if Sophie had wanted to send her a message then as queen mother and effectively a regent of Austria at the time she most definitely wouldn't have left a pamphlet of her desk like it's some kind of blackmail.

I had never even heard of her before this video but Sisi´s story made me cry 😢.

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.

Hadn't heard of her but when I arrived in Austria there was a whole shop dedicated to her. As a woman from New Zealand, she was extremely fascinating.

I am a lover of books and history. I love that he gets other people interested in history!!!

Wow, it's so incredible to see a Biographics video based on Empress Sisi. I've been fixated on her story for years.

When I was younger, I went on vacation to Austria. We visited Sisi museums. At that time I didn’t know who she was but now I know and I’m so glad that I bought a mini Sisi sculpture.

Should have added what an amazing horsewoman she was, traveling all over the world with her own stable and competing while riding sidesaddle.

I know the Sissi movies with Romy Schneider (which I love) were very romanticized but they helped me discover the real Empress Elisabeth and the beautiful countries of Austria and Hungary, places I had the honour to visit. It’s fascinating.

I'm from the US and had the pleasure of visiting both Vienna and Budapest in 2018. Absolutely enchanting cities with histories that you can read for years. Heard about Sisi quite a bit, so I'm glad that I got a more comprehensive look at her life through this video :)

"Heirs and spares." Simon, you kill me.

I read a biography which included archduchess Sofia's letters and those she sent to friends show only words of appreciation towards Sisi. In the letters written after the engagement she never says anything bad about the fact that Franz Joseph chose Sisi over Helena. She talks about Sisi like she would of a daughter. It seems that Sisi later told her favourite daughter that her grandmother had been mean to her and this version stuck

Oh wow, Empress Sisi could have really benefitted from modern strides in mental health awareness. Of course, she wouldn’t have lived long enough to make it 150+ years, but her decisions to live life to the fullest (despite the grim motives) is so incredibly beautiful. It’s so crucial to remember people like Empress Sisi during the month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness month, and remember that people have fought tooth and nail for mental health treatments to improve. I’m sorry this was a long reply; I’m just really moved and woozy from my second COVID vaccine. XD

I love when I feel like I'm repeating myself by saying "one of the best ones yet" They just keep getting better. Extremely well written and executed.

I'd never heard of her before but I'm glad I have now. This entry was interesting!

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.

I feel sorry for her. She suffered such more than Diana has poor girl.

Archduchess Sophia was actually never the wicked stepmother. She never lost a negative word about her daughter in law (who was also her niece) but on the contrary described her quite pleasantly in her diaries and letters. Also she had really good relations with her other daughters in law. She just was concerned that Sisi was so young and unprepared (concerns Sisis own mother also shared) and when Sisi wrote that she feared her it's only because Sophia tried everything to teach Sisi how to be an empress - a role Sisi never wanted and despised from the moment Franz Joseph proposed to her (she's supposed to have said "I do like the emperor. If only he wasn't an emperor"). Sisi intentionally did everything that was frowned upon at court (she even got a tattoo) and abandoned all of her imperial duties to the point where there was always an archduchess at court that had to serve as kind of a substitute empress stepping in for her to fulfill her duties which must've been frustratung for her mother in law. Also Sophia didn't snach the children away. Sisi as Empress was the most important and powerful women of the empire and thus had every right to take her children back and force Sophia to submit to her wishes but as a matter of fact she never showed much interest in raising her children with her youngest daughter Marie Valerie being the only exemption (the court called her "die Einzige" - "the only one" because she was the only of her children Sisi ever showed any interest for).

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.

This women's life was much much harder than princess Diane's. A very powerful comparison.

Her friend Carmen Sylva was actually Elizabeth, Queen of Romania.

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!

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.

Sisi said her last words on the way back to the ship. Looking after the running man, she asked "What did he even want?"

I've read so much about her and other royals. She was so beautiful. Her life was tragic...especially with her son.

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.

That was an amazing story, told beautifully. You deserve recognition outside of KZfaq for your work Simon. Genuinely.

Sadly, and rather unfortunately, Empress Elisabeth wasn’t suppose to be the one to die. Luigi Lucheni, the Italian anarchist who assassinated the Empress, had pledged to murder the next person of royalty he saw. It turns out, around that time Prince Philippe, Duke of Orléans (known to Orléanists as Philippe VIII) in Geneva shortly after Luigi’s promise but before the Empress, and Luigi did try to kill the Duke of Orléans, but the Duke narrowly escaped the attempt. The next person he laid eyes on was unfortunately the Empress of Austria. He had failed once..... He didn’t fail again.....

We have a statue of her here in Madeira Island. I love these videos

Rather, Diana should be called the 20th century Empress Sisi because Diana lived later.

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?

Could you cover Bram Stoker? He created one of the horror genres greatest characters. And was one hell of a writer.

You should do one about Catherine the great.

I first heard of Sisi years ago when I read "Envious Casca" also titled "A Christmas Party", a murder mystery written in 1941 by Georgette Heyer. One of the characters is a woman who is reading "The Life of the Empress of Austria" and is driving the other members of the house party up the wall by quoting tidbits of Cici's life while everyone else is obsessed with the mystery of the murder of the host. Another mystery arises when the book goes missing. Spoiler alert--Cici's life provides the essential clue to how the murder was committed.

WOW, NO COMMERCIALS!! DELIGHTFUL!

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.

“All of us have danced with death, but no one like Elisabeth!”

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!

She has my enduring empathy. As you said, I hope she found what she was looking for

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.

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.

I loved learning about Sisi! I’d never heard of her but she’s now one of my favorite historical figures. Thank you

This is well done, there’s very little put out about her. She was amazing

The presentation by Simon is always a pleasure (as opposed to some historical sites using computer generated speech). These glimpses into lesser known historical personages are wonderful, much appreciated gifts. Bravo!

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.

Excellent! Enjoyed this clip very much. Thank you for offering these amazing history clips

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.

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.

Your researchers are so good, there’s a bunch of info here that I don’t even remember seeing in the Sissi museum in Vienna! It’s so shocking to see her dresses and other items there which show how absurdly small she was. What’s even more crazy is how the museum writings talk if it - they literally describe her strict daily diet at different points (including just clear broth and like an apple or something) and then basically say she wasn’t anorexic, she just watched what she ate very carefully… 😮 Also interesting was that even through near constant very strict diets, she had a big love for ice cream, which she ate I think every day. Also after Rudolf died, she wore full mourning clothes every day for ever i thibj

These videos are astounding, well done sir 🙏🏻

One of your best, Simon. Thank you!

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.

Please do a video on rene descartes. He was one of the most influential philosophers throughout all of history. He was also the man who coined the term "cogito ergo sum" and gave us the truly thought provoking concept of solipsism. Thank you for your consideration!

Thank you very much for this great video (even though it's very old in KZfaq-years)! I'm from Vienna, but there's so much I don't know about Sisi. :) Another very important and influental Austrian woman was Maria Theresia, Grand Duchess of the Holy Roman Empire and the grandmother (or so I think?) of Franz Josef and Sisi. Would be great if you could do a video on her. PS: Just one tiny thing to mention: all the movies and shows, especially the 1950s films, have nothing to do with the real Sisi. They're lovely to watch (and kitschy af!), but pure fiction.

That was a gorgeous video. Well researched and beautifully composed and executed.

I love this type of documentary... casual yet very interesting and attention getting! Thank you 😊

I'm a history enthusiast but had never heard of her -- thanks for this great video!

That is soooo much more depressing than Diana

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.

Great video about a very great lady! And that way you talk is everything and I quote “ smother then a velvet codpiece” cheers Simon

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!

Great video as always Simon Id very much like to see a bio on Maria Theresia , cause she a very interesting life and story as well.

This was beautiful. Thank you.

What a heart rending tale. Well done Simon. Well done!