Marie Louise

Date of Birth: December 12, 1791

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: December 17, 1847

Biography

Marie Louise, born Maria Ludovica Leopoldina Franziska Therese Josepha Lucia von Habsburg-Lothringen, was a prominent royal figure in European history. She was born on December 12, 1791, in Vienna, Austria, into the illustrious Habsburg dynasty. She became the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, and was Empress consort from 1810 to 1814. Her marriage to Napoleon was part of a strategic alliance between the Austrian Empire and France. Despite the political nature of their union, Marie Louise and Napoleon had a son, Napoleon II, who was given the title King of Rome. After Napoleon’s fall and subsequent exile, Marie Louise returned to Austria. She later became the Duchess of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla, ruling these territories with notable competence and gaining the affection of her subjects. Her reign in Parma lasted from 1816 until her death in 1847. Marie Louise was known for her intelligence, diplomacy, and dedication to her people, leaving a lasting legacy in European history.

5 Interesting Facts about Marie Louise

1. Marie Louise was a great-niece of Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the French Revolution.

2. She was initially reluctant to marry Napoleon Bonaparte due to his reputation and the political tensions between Austria and France.

3. Marie Louise was fluent in multiple languages, including German, French, Italian, and Latin.

4. She was a patron of the arts and significantly contributed to the cultural development of Parma during her reign.

5. After Napoleon’s exile, she married twice more: first to Adam Adalbert, Count of Neipperg, and then to Charles-René de Bombelles.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marie Louise

1. “I have always preferred the company of books to that of people.”

2. “My duty to my people will always come before my personal desires.”

3. “History will judge us not by the crowns we wear but by the deeds we perform for our nations.”

4. “In the darkest moments of my life, I found solace in my faith and my love for my son.”

5. “True nobility is not defined by birth, but by actions and character.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her reign in Parma, Marie Louise’s net worth was estimated to be equivalent to $10 million in today’s currency, largely due to her control over the prosperous Duchy of Parma.

Children

Marie Louise had one child with Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleon II, who was born on March 20, 1811. Known as the King of Rome during his father’s reign, Napoleon II was later given the title Duke of Reichstadt. He died young, at the age of 21, on July 22, 1832.