The love affair of beautiful baroness Marie Vetsera and Rudolph,
Archduke and Crown Prince of Austria, ended tragically one cold
winter day in the Vienna Woods. The real circumstances are to this
day shrouded in mystery and the truth behind the fateful events will
probably never be known. On January 29 1889, Rudolph and Marie
were found dead at the royal hunting lodge at Mayerling. Their deaths
caused immediate scandal and made world headlines.
Archduke and Crown Prince of Austria, ended tragically one cold
winter day in the Vienna Woods. The real circumstances are to this
day shrouded in mystery and the truth behind the fateful events will
probably never be known. On January 29 1889, Rudolph and Marie
were found dead at the royal hunting lodge at Mayerling. Their deaths
caused immediate scandal and made world headlines.
On the surface, it appeared to be a classic love-suicide pact, but there were so many bizarre factors,
unanswered questions, lost and destroyed pieces of evidence and disparate theories that the event
will be debated for generations to come. Rudolph was married, and the only son of Kaiser Franz
Josef I and Kaiserin Elisabeth of Austria. Marie was the pretty, young daughter of a wealthy
diplomat in foreign service at the court. Although not buried together, they will spend eternity united.
unanswered questions, lost and destroyed pieces of evidence and disparate theories that the event
will be debated for generations to come. Rudolph was married, and the only son of Kaiser Franz
Josef I and Kaiserin Elisabeth of Austria. Marie was the pretty, young daughter of a wealthy
diplomat in foreign service at the court. Although not buried together, they will spend eternity united.
| Tales from the Vienna Woods |
Archduke Crown Prince Rudolph was born in Schloss Laxenburg near
Vienna. From a very early age he was very interested in natural sciences. His
relationship with his mother apparently held little warmth, and his political
views contrasted with his father's. In 1881, the 22 year old Prince obediently
married Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, a daughter of King Léopold II, and
their daughter, the Archduchess Elisabeth, was born in 1883. The marriage
was not fulfilling to Rudolph, and he found comfort in drinking and women.
Rudolph bought Mayerling and he turned it into a royal hunting lodge in 1887.
Vienna. From a very early age he was very interested in natural sciences. His
relationship with his mother apparently held little warmth, and his political
views contrasted with his father's. In 1881, the 22 year old Prince obediently
married Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, a daughter of King Léopold II, and
their daughter, the Archduchess Elisabeth, was born in 1883. The marriage
was not fulfilling to Rudolph, and he found comfort in drinking and women.
Rudolph bought Mayerling and he turned it into a royal hunting lodge in 1887.
Marie and the crown prince met the at the horse races in
1888 one month after her 17th birthday. After a brief
flirtation, they fell deeply in love, and with the assistance
of Countess Marie Larisch, the illegitimate daughter of
empress Elisabeth's oldest brother, Duke Ludwig
Wilhelm of Bavaria, Marie was given access to Rudolf's
chambers. Soon, the affair was common knowledge, and
at the end of January, 1888, Rudolph and his father had
reportedly serious "defferences" about his liaison.
1888 one month after her 17th birthday. After a brief
flirtation, they fell deeply in love, and with the assistance
of Countess Marie Larisch, the illegitimate daughter of
empress Elisabeth's oldest brother, Duke Ludwig
Wilhelm of Bavaria, Marie was given access to Rudolf's
chambers. Soon, the affair was common knowledge, and
at the end of January, 1888, Rudolph and his father had
reportedly serious "defferences" about his liaison.
| The Lovers |
His death, apparently through suicide, along with that of Marie's, caused immediate scandal and
made international headlines. Fueled by international conspiracy rumors that in retrospect do not
seem far-fetched, it may have even played a part in the ultimate doom of the Habsburg monarchy,
for had he lived, he would have been the king. The exact facts remain to this day unclear.
made international headlines. Fueled by international conspiracy rumors that in retrospect do not
seem far-fetched, it may have even played a part in the ultimate doom of the Habsburg monarchy,
for had he lived, he would have been the king. The exact facts remain to this day unclear.
The first official version was that the crown prince died from heart
failure. It was not for 24 hours after the tragedy that the Emperor
learned that Rudolph had shot himself. Elisabeth was the first member
of the Imperial family to be told of Rudolph's death, and at first she
bore up well, breaking the news herself to the Emperor, Marie's mother,
and others. After the first few days, however, her grief exploded in rage
at her daughter-in-law whom she accused of being indirectly responsible
for Rudolph's death, because she had been cold and unloving.
failure. It was not for 24 hours after the tragedy that the Emperor
learned that Rudolph had shot himself. Elisabeth was the first member
of the Imperial family to be told of Rudolph's death, and at first she
bore up well, breaking the news herself to the Emperor, Marie's mother,
and others. After the first few days, however, her grief exploded in rage
at her daughter-in-law whom she accused of being indirectly responsible
for Rudolph's death, because she had been cold and unloving.
Only one bullet was actually found at the scene, but there were many discrepancies. At one point it
was claimed that six shots were fired from the weapon, which, in any case, did not belong to
Rudolph. On the surface, it looked like prince shot his mistress in the head and then, after a few
hours, himself. But as a suicide, Rudolph would have to be officially declared in a state of "mental
unbalance" in order to enable a Catholic burial in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna.
was claimed that six shots were fired from the weapon, which, in any case, did not belong to
Rudolph. On the surface, it looked like prince shot his mistress in the head and then, after a few
hours, himself. But as a suicide, Rudolph would have to be officially declared in a state of "mental
unbalance" in order to enable a Catholic burial in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna.
In the last photograph taken of Marie Vetsera with Marie Larisch, below, Marie is wearing the dress
she was buried in.
she was buried in.
Rudolph's daughter, Princess Elizabeth (1883-1963) and her mother continued to live at the court of
the Emperor where Elizabeth felt in love with Prince Windisch-Graetz. After the Emperor ordered
Windisch- Graetz, who was in love with another woman, to marry Elizabeth, she and the Prince
were married in 1902, had four children, divorced, and then Elizabeth remarried a socialist politician,
which resulted in her nickname, the Red Princess. She died in 1963 at age 80.
the Emperor where Elizabeth felt in love with Prince Windisch-Graetz. After the Emperor ordered
Windisch- Graetz, who was in love with another woman, to marry Elizabeth, she and the Prince
were married in 1902, had four children, divorced, and then Elizabeth remarried a socialist politician,
which resulted in her nickname, the Red Princess. She died in 1963 at age 80.
Countess Marie Larisch, who as a girl had received several marriage proposals including one from
Bismark's son, facilitated the affair between Rudolph and Marie. She was married to a count and
bore him five children, among them the oceanographer Franz-Joseph Ludwig Georg Maria Larisch.
After the Mayerling tragedy, she was publicly disgraced. She and the Count divorced in 1896, and in
1897 she married musician Otto Brucks in Munich, and they had one child, Otto. She was rumored
to have been given "hush money" not to publish her memoirs, and to have accepted relocation to the
United States in exchange for an annual pension of $25,000. She did write of it, however. Once in
the states, she married again, and again divorced. She died in 1940. Marie Larisch met and
conversed with T. S. Eliot, and part of their conversation found its way into "The Waste Land":
Bismark's son, facilitated the affair between Rudolph and Marie. She was married to a count and
bore him five children, among them the oceanographer Franz-Joseph Ludwig Georg Maria Larisch.
After the Mayerling tragedy, she was publicly disgraced. She and the Count divorced in 1896, and in
1897 she married musician Otto Brucks in Munich, and they had one child, Otto. She was rumored
to have been given "hush money" not to publish her memoirs, and to have accepted relocation to the
United States in exchange for an annual pension of $25,000. She did write of it, however. Once in
the states, she married again, and again divorced. She died in 1940. Marie Larisch met and
conversed with T. S. Eliot, and part of their conversation found its way into "The Waste Land":
| "April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade, And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten, And drank coffee, and talked for an hour. Bin gar keine Russin, stamm' aus Litauen, echt deutsch. And when we were children, staying at the archduke's, My cousin, he took me out on a sled, And I was frightened. He said, Marie, Marie, hold on tight. And down we went. In the mountains, there you feel free. I read, much of the night, and go south in the winter. |
Mary Vetsera's uncles were summoned to Mayerling to clean and remove Marie's body. They
dressed her, and propping up her body with a broomstick so that she could be placed upright in the
carriage, smuggled her out of the estate in the middle of the night. Marie was also allowed Catholic
burial on the grounds that she, too, was in a state of mental imbalance. She was secretly buried,
initially in an umarked grave, at Holy Cross Abbey in Heiligenkreuz.
dressed her, and propping up her body with a broomstick so that she could be placed upright in the
carriage, smuggled her out of the estate in the middle of the night. Marie was also allowed Catholic
burial on the grounds that she, too, was in a state of mental imbalance. She was secretly buried,
initially in an umarked grave, at Holy Cross Abbey in Heiligenkreuz.
On the surface, it appeared to be a classic love-suicide pact. After
their bodies were found, the local police cabled the minister of police
who ordered Mayerling sealed off and immediately left for the lodge.
After he examined the bodies and the room where they were found,
he told the details of their death to the family.
their bodies were found, the local police cabled the minister of police
who ordered Mayerling sealed off and immediately left for the lodge.
After he examined the bodies and the room where they were found,
he told the details of their death to the family.
After the typically lovely carriage ride to Mayerling on a cold, white winter day, Rudolph was, as
usual, joined by a hunting party. Marie stayed out of sight, but Rudolph's guests indicated that they
sensed the presence of a woman. On the day before his death, Rudolph did not go hunting with the
others and excused himself early and had a private dinner with Marie. On that last night his valet
served them a meal of pheasant with fresh mushrooms, leeks, and baked potatoes, with two bottles
of Tokay on the side. The next morning, Rudolph's servant was told to come back in a half an hour
after he awakened Rudolph. When he returned there was no answer and he called for help. On
January 29 1889, Rudolph and Marie were found dead together in his room at the royal lodge.
usual, joined by a hunting party. Marie stayed out of sight, but Rudolph's guests indicated that they
sensed the presence of a woman. On the day before his death, Rudolph did not go hunting with the
others and excused himself early and had a private dinner with Marie. On that last night his valet
served them a meal of pheasant with fresh mushrooms, leeks, and baked potatoes, with two bottles
of Tokay on the side. The next morning, Rudolph's servant was told to come back in a half an hour
after he awakened Rudolph. When he returned there was no answer and he called for help. On
January 29 1889, Rudolph and Marie were found dead together in his room at the royal lodge.
Once again, witnesses stated that the skull showed no sign of bullet hole but had
other trauma. Further research requested in 1979 was refused by the church.
But in July, 1991, a furniture salesman who was apparently obsessed by the
Mayerling mystery, stole the coffin from the grave and took it to Linz with two
accomplices who then examined it. They then took the unidentified remains to a
medical specialist. Marie's remains were later taken to a Vienna Medical
Institute for further examination, and they found the bones to be a hundred
years old and those of a woman around twenty, but part of the skull was
missing. The examination was ordered stopped and the body reburied.
other trauma. Further research requested in 1979 was refused by the church.
But in July, 1991, a furniture salesman who was apparently obsessed by the
Mayerling mystery, stole the coffin from the grave and took it to Linz with two
accomplices who then examined it. They then took the unidentified remains to a
medical specialist. Marie's remains were later taken to a Vienna Medical
Institute for further examination, and they found the bones to be a hundred
years old and those of a woman around twenty, but part of the skull was
missing. The examination was ordered stopped and the body reburied.
Plundering Russians who had fought in the area in World War Two blew open Marie's tomb in
1945. The copper coffin was broken and when the monastery repaired the grave they saw a small
skeleton in the damaged coffin with a small, intact skull. A young physician stationed nearby was
called to examine Vetsera's remains and to witness their re-interment. He carefully studied her skull
and bones for traces of a bullet hole, but there was no apparent bullet damage. Since the Catholic
Habsburgs had to have once asked the Pope for dispensation in order to secure a Catholic funeral for
their son who committed suicide, this doctor requested to see it. The Pope dispatched his nuncio to
Mayerling, and upon his return he filed a detailed report about the incident as it was filed in the
Vatican archives. The main finding, kept secret for almost a century, was that only one shot was
fired. Therefore, it was thought that maybe the Russians lost the real skull, so to be sure the grave
was re-opened, and bones were all over the coffin. Marie's shoes and long black hair were still there.
1945. The copper coffin was broken and when the monastery repaired the grave they saw a small
skeleton in the damaged coffin with a small, intact skull. A young physician stationed nearby was
called to examine Vetsera's remains and to witness their re-interment. He carefully studied her skull
and bones for traces of a bullet hole, but there was no apparent bullet damage. Since the Catholic
Habsburgs had to have once asked the Pope for dispensation in order to secure a Catholic funeral for
their son who committed suicide, this doctor requested to see it. The Pope dispatched his nuncio to
Mayerling, and upon his return he filed a detailed report about the incident as it was filed in the
Vatican archives. The main finding, kept secret for almost a century, was that only one shot was
fired. Therefore, it was thought that maybe the Russians lost the real skull, so to be sure the grave
was re-opened, and bones were all over the coffin. Marie's shoes and long black hair were still there.
According to some reports, examination of the photographs showed evidence of possible bullet
entrance and exit holes. Others say it showed evidence of severe blows. Marie's remains were again
put to rest in 1993. In the Carmelite convent established by Emperor Franz Josef on the site of the
rustic lodge where his son and heir died, the altar of the convent church stands over the spot where
the bodies were found, in what was once the Prince's bedroom.
entrance and exit holes. Others say it showed evidence of severe blows. Marie's remains were again
put to rest in 1993. In the Carmelite convent established by Emperor Franz Josef on the site of the
rustic lodge where his son and heir died, the altar of the convent church stands over the spot where
the bodies were found, in what was once the Prince's bedroom.
Baroness Marie Vetsera, Marie Alexandrine Freiin von Vetsera, 1871–1889, was the daughter of
Baron Albin Vetsera, a wealthy diplomat in foreign service at the Austrian court. Albin Vetsera's
family came from Pressburg, then a part of the monarchy. With his wife Helene Baltizzi he had four
children, including lovely Marie.
Baron Albin Vetsera, a wealthy diplomat in foreign service at the Austrian court. Albin Vetsera's
family came from Pressburg, then a part of the monarchy. With his wife Helene Baltizzi he had four
children, including lovely Marie.
Mayerling is a small village in Lower Austria on the Schwechat River, in the Wienerwald Vienna
woods, 15 miles southwest of Vienna. From 1550, Mayerling was owned by the abbey of
Heiligenkreuz. Here, Rudolph found solace in nature and beauty, and had the chance to pursue the
natural sciences by collecting mineral specimens. He, like most of his family, greatly enjoyed hunting
and walks in the woods, and he looked forward to the time here, away from his duties and his wife.
woods, 15 miles southwest of Vienna. From 1550, Mayerling was owned by the abbey of
Heiligenkreuz. Here, Rudolph found solace in nature and beauty, and had the chance to pursue the
natural sciences by collecting mineral specimens. He, like most of his family, greatly enjoyed hunting
and walks in the woods, and he looked forward to the time here, away from his duties and his wife.
In May, 1889, Mary's temporary grave was opened and she was moved to a permanent grave a few
yards away that was commissioned by her mother. The wooden coffin was replaced by a copper
one and a simple monument was erected.
yards away that was commissioned by her mother. The wooden coffin was replaced by a copper
one and a simple monument was erected.
Many people claimed that the young couple had been murdered by a third party, perhaps as part of a
wider political conspiracy, and others claimed that the couple had a violent struggle and the prince
murdered Marie, or vice versa. Still others say that Marie went there to have an abortion and died,
and Rudolph was so distraught that he killed himself. Even in later years the mystery of Mayerling
was never fully solved. Rudolf's aunt, Princess Zita, firmly believed that he was murdered because
he had refused to participate in a plot hatched by Clémenceau to overthrow his father Franz Josef
and place himself on the Austrian throne. Supposedly, he would then break Austria's alliance with
Germany in favor of an alliance with France.
wider political conspiracy, and others claimed that the couple had a violent struggle and the prince
murdered Marie, or vice versa. Still others say that Marie went there to have an abortion and died,
and Rudolph was so distraught that he killed himself. Even in later years the mystery of Mayerling
was never fully solved. Rudolf's aunt, Princess Zita, firmly believed that he was murdered because
he had refused to participate in a plot hatched by Clémenceau to overthrow his father Franz Josef
and place himself on the Austrian throne. Supposedly, he would then break Austria's alliance with
Germany in favor of an alliance with France.
When her son, Crown Prince Rudolf, was found dead in January, 1889, the Empress displayed great
strength at first, then broke down and wore black from that day on.
strength at first, then broke down and wore black from that day on.
In September, 1898, the Empress Elizabeth travelled to Lake Geneva under her
pseudonym "the Countess of Hohenembs." An Italian anarchist named Luigi Luccheni,
1873-1910, was also in Geneva, at first intent on murdering the Duke of Orléans. Since
he'd already departed, 25 year old Luccheni decided to kill the Empress of Austria
instead, in the name of "freedom and anarchy."
pseudonym "the Countess of Hohenembs." An Italian anarchist named Luigi Luccheni,
1873-1910, was also in Geneva, at first intent on murdering the Duke of Orléans. Since
he'd already departed, 25 year old Luccheni decided to kill the Empress of Austria
instead, in the name of "freedom and anarchy."
On September 10, the sixty-year old Empress and her lady-in-waiting were rushing to
catch a steamer when young Luccheni sprang out of nowhere and stabbed Elizabeth in
the chest with a home-made dagger. At first, she continued walking, but after boarding
the ship and noticing the bloodstain on her blouse, the Empress realized what had taken
place. As Elizabeth collapsed, she opened her eyes and asked, "What has happened to
me?" Lucheni, left, received a life sentence in prison. On October 19, 1910, he was found hung in his cell.
catch a steamer when young Luccheni sprang out of nowhere and stabbed Elizabeth in
the chest with a home-made dagger. At first, she continued walking, but after boarding
the ship and noticing the bloodstain on her blouse, the Empress realized what had taken
place. As Elizabeth collapsed, she opened her eyes and asked, "What has happened to
me?" Lucheni, left, received a life sentence in prison. On October 19, 1910, he was found hung in his cell.
Those were Elizabeth's last words. She was the victim of assassination and she was dying before the
ship returned to port. Vienna was telegraphed. When Franz Joseph was informed, he sank back into
his chair. "I am to be spared absolutely nothing in this world," he moaned, then quietly whispered,
"No-one will ever know how much I loved her." Orders were issued to bring her body back home.
She was buried on September 17, 1898 in the imperial crypt of the Capuchin Church.
ship returned to port. Vienna was telegraphed. When Franz Joseph was informed, he sank back into
his chair. "I am to be spared absolutely nothing in this world," he moaned, then quietly whispered,
"No-one will ever know how much I loved her." Orders were issued to bring her body back home.
She was buried on September 17, 1898 in the imperial crypt of the Capuchin Church.
Her husband would live on for several years. Emperor Franz Joseph died on November 21, 1916,
age 86, in the middle of World War One. His 68-year reign is the second-longest in the recorded
history of Europe. Following the death of their only son, the Emperor's marriage suffered and he saw
little of his wife. The new heir presumptive to the throne became Archduke Karl Ludwig, eldest
surviving brother of the emperor. After Karl Ludwig's death, his oldest son, Archduke Franz
Ferdinand became heir presumptive. There is conjecture as to what the state of world affairs would
have been had Rudolph become king.
age 86, in the middle of World War One. His 68-year reign is the second-longest in the recorded
history of Europe. Following the death of their only son, the Emperor's marriage suffered and he saw
little of his wife. The new heir presumptive to the throne became Archduke Karl Ludwig, eldest
surviving brother of the emperor. After Karl Ludwig's death, his oldest son, Archduke Franz
Ferdinand became heir presumptive. There is conjecture as to what the state of world affairs would
have been had Rudolph become king.