The love affair between beautiful baroness Marie Vetsera and the Austrian Crown Prince, Archduke
Rudolph, ended tragically on a cold, white January day in 1889 in the Vienna Woods under strange
circumstances which are to this time shrouded in mystery and may never be otherwise.
Rudolph, ended tragically on a cold, white January day in 1889 in the Vienna Woods under strange
circumstances which are to this time shrouded in mystery and may never be otherwise.
| 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 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. |
| Tales from the Vienna Woods: The Man who would have been Emperor |
| One month after her 17th birthday, Marie met the 30 year old crown prince at the horse races in 1888. After a brief flirtation, she fell in love and he found her very attractive. With the help of Countess Marie Larisch, illegitimate daughter of the Empress's oldest brother, 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 argued about his liaison. After a typically lovely carriage ride to his beloved Mayerling on a winter day in 1889, Rudolph was, as usual, joined by a hunting party. |
| The Lovers |
Their deaths, reported as an apparent suicide-murder, caused an immediate scandal which made
international headlines. Fueled by conspiracy rumors (that in retrospect do not seem far-fetched) it is
thought by some to have played a part in the ultimate doom of the Habsburg monarchy, for had he
lived, he would have been the Emperor.
international headlines. Fueled by conspiracy rumors (that in retrospect do not seem far-fetched) it is
thought by some to have played a part in the ultimate doom of the Habsburg monarchy, for had he
lived, he would have been the Emperor.
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 supposedly shot himself. Elisabeth was the
first member of the Imperial family to be told of her son's death, and at
first she bore up well, breaking the news herself to the Emperor and to
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,
unloving, and was supposedly having an affair herself..
failure. It was not for 24 hours after the tragedy that the Emperor
learned that Rudolph had supposedly shot himself. Elisabeth was the
first member of the Imperial family to be told of her son's death, and at
first she bore up well, breaking the news herself to the Emperor and to
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,
unloving, and was supposedly having an affair herself..
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 firearm, a gun which did not belong to Rudolph. On
the surface, it looked like Rudolph shot his mistress in the head and then, after a few hours, himself.
If this were the case, and it was 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 firearm, a gun which did not belong to Rudolph. On
the surface, it looked like Rudolph shot his mistress in the head and then, after a few hours, himself.
If this were the case, and it was 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 and Larisch, Marie is wearing the dress she was buried in.
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. Today prayers are still said daily by the nuns for the repose
of Rudolph's soul. Rudolph's daughter, Princess Elizabeth (1883-1963) and her mother continued to
live at the court of the Emperor and 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.
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. Today prayers are still said daily by the nuns for the repose
of Rudolph's soul. Rudolph's daughter, Princess Elizabeth (1883-1963) and her mother continued to
live at the court of the Emperor and 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 oceanographer Franz-Joseph Ludwig
Georg Maria Larisch. Publicly disgraced after
the Mayerling tragedy, she and the Count
divorced in 1896, and in 1897 she married
musician Otto Brucks in Munich, and they had
a son, 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.
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 oceanographer Franz-Joseph Ludwig
Georg Maria Larisch. Publicly disgraced after
the Mayerling tragedy, she and the Count
divorced in 1896, and in 1897 she married
musician Otto Brucks in Munich, and they had
a son, 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.
Mary Vetsera's uncles were later 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, probably in the futile hope of
avoiding a bigger scandal. Marie was also allowed Catholic
burial and was secretly buried in an unmarked grave, at Holy
Cross Abbey in Heiligenkreuz.
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, probably in the futile hope of
avoiding a bigger scandal. Marie was also allowed Catholic
burial and was secretly buried in an unmarked grave, at Holy
Cross Abbey in Heiligenkreuz.
The exact facts remain to this day unclear. After their
bodies were found, the local police cabled the minister of
police who ordered Mayerling sealed off. He left for the
lodge immediately, and after examining the bodies and the
room where they were found, he told the details of the case
as far as he could understood them to the family.
bodies were found, the local police cabled the minister of
police who ordered Mayerling sealed off. He left for the
lodge immediately, and after examining the bodies and the
room where they were found, he told the details of the case
as far as he could understood them to the family.
Marie, who had accompanied him, stayed out of sight of Rudolph's guests, but they indicated that
they sensed a woman present. On the day before his death, Rudolph did not go hunting with the
others, and he excused himself early to have 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, January 29, 1889, Rudolph's servant awakened him, but was
told to come back in a half an hour. When he returned, there was only an eerie silence and no
answer. He called for help. Rudolph and Marie were found dead together in the room.
they sensed a woman present. On the day before his death, Rudolph did not go hunting with the
others, and he excused himself early to have 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, January 29, 1889, Rudolph's servant awakened him, but was
told to come back in a half an hour. When he returned, there was only an eerie silence and no
answer. He called for help. Rudolph and Marie were found dead together in the room.
Witnesses again stated that the skull had no bullet hole but showed signs of
trauma. Further research requested in 1979 was refused by the church, but in
July of 1991, a salesman apparently obsessed by the Mayerling mystery dug up
the coffin and took it to Linz with two accomplices where a medical specialist
examined the remains which were taken to Vienna for further study. The bones
were said to be about one 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. Some people felt that the photographs showed possible
bullet entrance and exit holes, but others insisted that it showed evidence of
severe blows instead. Marie's remains were again put to rest in 1993.
trauma. Further research requested in 1979 was refused by the church, but in
July of 1991, a salesman apparently obsessed by the Mayerling mystery dug up
the coffin and took it to Linz with two accomplices where a medical specialist
examined the remains which were taken to Vienna for further study. The bones
were said to be about one 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. Some people felt that the photographs showed possible
bullet entrance and exit holes, but others insisted that it showed evidence of
severe blows instead. Marie's remains were again put to rest in 1993.
Plundering Russians who fought in the area in World War Two blew open Marie's tomb in 1945
looking for loot. 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 were rumored to have asked the Pope for dispensation in order to secure a
Catholic funeral for their son, this doctor requested to see the detailed reports filed by the Pope's
nuncio to Mayerling as it was filed in the Vatican archives. Since the main finding, kept secret for
almost a century, said that only one shot was fired, it was thought that maybe the Russians had lost
the real skull, so the grave was re-opened. Bones were all over the coffin and Marie's shoes and long
black hair were still there.
looking for loot. 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 were rumored to have asked the Pope for dispensation in order to secure a
Catholic funeral for their son, this doctor requested to see the detailed reports filed by the Pope's
nuncio to Mayerling as it was filed in the Vatican archives. Since the main finding, kept secret for
almost a century, said that only one shot was fired, it was thought that maybe the Russians had lost
the real skull, so the grave was re-opened. Bones were all over the coffin and Marie's shoes and long
black hair were still there.
Baroness Marie Vetsera, Marie Alexandrine Freiin von Vetsera, 1871–1889, was one of four children
of Baron Albin Vetsera, a wealthy diplomat in foreign service for the Austrian court, and his wife
Helene Baltizzi who was from a prominent Greek banking family.
of Baron Albin Vetsera, a wealthy diplomat in foreign service for the Austrian court, and his wife
Helene Baltizzi who was from a prominent Greek banking family.
Mayerling is a small village in Lower Austria on the Schwechat
River in the Vienna woods fifteen miles southwest of Vienna.
Here, Rudolph bought a building which was owned by the abbey
of Heiligenkreuz since 1550, and he turned it into a royal hunting
lodge in 1887. He always found solace in nature and spent much
of his time collecting mineral specimens. He also loved hunting
and walks in the woods, and relished his private time here.
River in the Vienna woods fifteen miles southwest of Vienna.
Here, Rudolph bought a building which was owned by the abbey
of Heiligenkreuz since 1550, and he turned it into a royal hunting
lodge in 1887. He always found solace in nature and spent much
of his time collecting mineral specimens. He also loved hunting
and walks in the woods, and relished his private time here.
In May, 1889, Mary's temporary grave was opened and she was moved a few yards away to a
permanent grave that was commissioned by her mother. The wooden coffin was replaced by a
copper one and a simple monument was erected.
permanent grave that was commissioned by her mother. The wooden coffin was replaced by a
copper one and a simple monument was erected.
There have been numerous theories, one even claiming that Marie went there to have an abortion
but died in the process, and Rudolph consequently became so distraught that he killed himself.
However, Rudolf's aunt, Princess Zita, who had been a confidante of both the family and the
Austro-Hungarian court, firmly believed that he was murdered because he had refused to participate
in a plot hatched by France's Clémenceau to overthrow Franz Josef and place Rudolph on the
Austrian throne, thinking him to be more flexible than the Emperor and more likely to break Austria's
alliance with Germany in favor of an alliance with France.
but died in the process, and Rudolph consequently became so distraught that he killed himself.
However, Rudolf's aunt, Princess Zita, who had been a confidante of both the family and the
Austro-Hungarian court, firmly believed that he was murdered because he had refused to participate
in a plot hatched by France's Clémenceau to overthrow Franz Josef and place Rudolph on the
Austrian throne, thinking him to be more flexible than the Emperor and more likely to 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 and then completely broke down. Sisi wore black from that day on.
strength at first and then completely broke down. Sisi 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
was also in Geneva, at first intent on murdering the Duke of Orléans. Since the duke
had already departed, 25 year old Luccheni decided to kill the Empress of Austria
instead. 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, in the name of "freedom and anarchy".
At first, she continued walking, but after boarding the ship and noticing blood on her
blouse, the Empress realized what had taken place. As Elizabeth collapsed, she opened
her eyes and asked, "What has happened to me?" Those were Elizabeth's last words.
She was the victim of assassination and she was dying before the ship returned to port.
pseudonym "the Countess of Hohenembs." An Italian anarchist named Luigi Luccheni
was also in Geneva, at first intent on murdering the Duke of Orléans. Since the duke
had already departed, 25 year old Luccheni decided to kill the Empress of Austria
instead. 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, in the name of "freedom and anarchy".
At first, she continued walking, but after boarding the ship and noticing blood on her
blouse, the Empress realized what had taken place. As Elizabeth collapsed, she opened
her eyes and asked, "What has happened to me?" 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. Lucheni, above, received a life
sentence in prison. On October 19, 1910, he was found dead and hanging in his cell.
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. Lucheni, above, received a life
sentence in prison. On October 19, 1910, he was found dead and hanging in his cell.
| "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. |
| The Mystery |
| And Another Family Murder... |
Rudolph, 1858-1889, was the only son of Kaiser Franz Josef I and Kaiserin Elisabeth of Austria. He
was born in Schloss Laxenburg near Vienna, and 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 those of his father. In 1881, the 22 year old Prince obediently married Princess
Stéphanie, a daughter of King Léopold II of Belgium, and their daughter Elisabeth was born in 1883.
The marriage was not fulfilling to Rudolph, and he soon found comfort in drinking and women.
was born in Schloss Laxenburg near Vienna, and 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 those of his father. In 1881, the 22 year old Prince obediently married Princess
Stéphanie, a daughter of King Léopold II of Belgium, and their daughter Elisabeth was born in 1883.
The marriage was not fulfilling to Rudolph, and he soon found comfort in drinking and women.
Marie Larisch met and conversed with T. S.
Eliot, and part of their conversation found its
way into "The Waste Land", right.
Eliot, and part of their conversation found its
way into "The Waste Land", right.
In retrospect, after viewing the horrendous world events which followed, it now seems more than
reasonable that, for political reasons, a third party or parties committed the murders, killing Vetsera
simply to silence her and to cover up the political nature of a criminal assassination. It appeared that
Marie had been killed several hours before Rudolf, and perhaps he was forced to watch her brutal,
quietly inflicted death, which forensic analysis generally concludes was probably from beating, not
gunshots. Furthermore, Rudolf's alleged "suicide letter" to his wife could have been written under
duress. In it, he bids farewell to her and his friends, saying that "only death can save his good name",
but it does not give a reason why he killed himself, and in fact makes no mention of suicide or of
Marie. In any case, how would a double-suicide or murder-suicide "save his good name"?
reasonable that, for political reasons, a third party or parties committed the murders, killing Vetsera
simply to silence her and to cover up the political nature of a criminal assassination. It appeared that
Marie had been killed several hours before Rudolf, and perhaps he was forced to watch her brutal,
quietly inflicted death, which forensic analysis generally concludes was probably from beating, not
gunshots. Furthermore, Rudolf's alleged "suicide letter" to his wife could have been written under
duress. In it, he bids farewell to her and his friends, saying that "only death can save his good name",
but it does not give a reason why he killed himself, and in fact makes no mention of suicide or of
Marie. In any case, how would a double-suicide or murder-suicide "save his good name"?
Evidence in reports made at the time of the deaths stated that his body showed evidence of a major
violent struggle. The body of the Crown Prince wore gloves at his funeral and his mother was not
allowed to see his hands, since they were supposedly injured and possibly covered with defensive
wounds. This also resembles what Empress Zita said about the events. All the same, the exact cause
and circumstances of Rudolf's death remain a mystery to this day.
violent struggle. The body of the Crown Prince wore gloves at his funeral and his mother was not
allowed to see his hands, since they were supposedly injured and possibly covered with defensive
wounds. This also resembles what Empress Zita said about the events. All the same, the exact cause
and circumstances of Rudolf's death remain a mystery to this day.
Sisi's husband, the Emperor, would live on for several years and experience even more personal
family tragedy. But perhaps it was tempered with the joy he felt in a certain actress's arms.
family tragedy. But perhaps it was tempered with the joy he felt in a certain actress's arms.
Katharina Schratt (1853-1940) was "the uncrowned Empress of
Austria", an Austrian actress who became the life-long mistress
and best friend of Emperor Franz Joseph. Katharina Schratt
appeared with the Hoftheater in Berlin at age 18, and was an
immediate success. She left Germany after only a few months
to join the Viennese Hofburgtheater. She married Hungarian
aristocrat Nikolaus Kiss de Ittebe in 1879 and gave birth to a son.
After touring overseas, she returned to Vienna permanently and
was one of Austria's most popular actresses until she retired in
1900. Franz Joseph' watched Schratt's performance at the 1885
Industrial Exhibition in Vienna and invited her to perform for
visiting Czar Alexander III of Russia. She soon became the
Emperor's intimate companion. It was said that Empress
Elisabeth actually promoted the relationship between the actress
and her husband.
Austria", an Austrian actress who became the life-long mistress
and best friend of Emperor Franz Joseph. Katharina Schratt
appeared with the Hoftheater in Berlin at age 18, and was an
immediate success. She left Germany after only a few months
to join the Viennese Hofburgtheater. She married Hungarian
aristocrat Nikolaus Kiss de Ittebe in 1879 and gave birth to a son.
After touring overseas, she returned to Vienna permanently and
was one of Austria's most popular actresses until she retired in
1900. Franz Joseph' watched Schratt's performance at the 1885
Industrial Exhibition in Vienna and invited her to perform for
visiting Czar Alexander III of Russia. She soon became the
Emperor's intimate companion. It was said that Empress
Elisabeth actually promoted the relationship between the actress
and her husband.
Their relationship continued after the assassination of Elisabeth until Franz Josef's death in November
of 1916 with only one interruption in 1900 due to an argument. They were often seen together, and
their devotion to one another was obvious even when they were quite elderly. Schratt was given a
mansion on Vienna's Gloriettegasse and a three-story palace on the Kärntner Ring to which she
completely withdrew after the Emperor's death. Although generous offers were made to her for her
memoirs, she turned them all down. Schratt became deeply religious later in life. After her death in
1940 at the age of 86, she was buried in the Hietzing Cemetery in Vienna.
of 1916 with only one interruption in 1900 due to an argument. They were often seen together, and
their devotion to one another was obvious even when they were quite elderly. Schratt was given a
mansion on Vienna's Gloriettegasse and a three-story palace on the Kärntner Ring to which she
completely withdrew after the Emperor's death. Although generous offers were made to her for her
memoirs, she turned them all down. Schratt became deeply religious later in life. After her death in
1940 at the age of 86, she was buried in the Hietzing Cemetery in Vienna.