MARIE ANTOINETTE
1755 - 1793

In full, Marie-Antoinette-Josèphe-Jeanne d'Autriche-Lorraine

Marie-Antoinette's German name was Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna von Österreich-Lothringen. Just in case you're looking for a name for your baby daughter. Or your hamster.


MARIE-ANTOINETTE'S FAMILY
Marie-Antoinette's father was Holy Roman Emperor Francis I. Her mother was Maria Theresa.

In 1770, Marie-Antoinette was married to Louis, who became later French King Louis XVI.


MARIE-ANTOINETTE'S LIFE
Marie-Antoinette had the reputation of being extravagant, which was partly her fault because the girl just loved to kick up her heels and have a real good ole time. Of course, the many rumors and intrigues at the French court didn't help. Remember people didn't have TV back then.

In 1785, yet another conspiracy, the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, occurred. In a nutshell, the Comtesse de La Motte wanted to possess a certain exceptional diamond necklace which she couldn't afford. What to do, what to do.

The Comtesse told the Bishop of Strasbourg that Marie-Antoinette wanted him, the Bishop, to secretly purchase the necklace for her, Marie-Antoinette. The entire affair was discovered, the involved individuals punished, but the general public, i.e. the ones who actually had to work for a living, wasn't exactly thrilled.

Although Marie-Antoinette's response to the news that the people ran out of bread, "Let them eat cake!" is an invention, it shows what the people thought of her.

Long story short, in 1792 the Revolutionaries tried Louis and Marie for treason and executed the two; Louis in January 1793, Marie-Antoinette on October 16, 1793.

Sofia Coppola made a movie about Marie Antoinette.