Marie Antoinette of Austria
Daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria and Queen of France through her marriage to Louis XVI. Imprisoned during the Revolution, she was guillotined in 1793.
Life of Marie Antoinette of Austria
An archduchess for France
A younger daughter of Maria Theresa and Francis I, she was born in Vienna in 1755. Her marriage in 1770 to the dauphin Louis, the future Louis XVI, sealed the alliance between Austria and France. Queen from 1774, her taste for the court of the Petit Trianon and her expenditure fed an increasingly hostile public image.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
Scandal and revolution
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace in 1785, in which she was innocent, damaged her reputation. After 1789 the royal family was taken from Versailles to Paris. The failed flight to Varennes in 1791 and suspicion that she encouraged foreign intervention undermined confidence in the monarchy, which was abolished in 1792.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
The end
Louis XVI was guillotined in January 1793. Marie Antoinette, separated from her children, was tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal and executed on 16 October 1793. Her son Louis Charles died in prison in 1795; only her daughter Marie Thérèse survived.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 2 November 1755 Documented
Death: 16 October 1793 Documented
Role: Consort
Dynasty: Habsburg-Lorraine · ES
Territories: France (ES) · Austria (ES)
Recorded relationships
Sources for this profile
- Schönbrunn · Francisco Esteban y la casa Habsburgo-Lorena
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Marie Antoinette, Frankreich, Königin
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
5 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
2 November 1755
The authority record gives the birth as 1755-11-02. - DeathDocumented
16 October 1793
The authority record gives the death as 1793-10-16.
Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)
- FatherPending review
Francis I of the Holy Roman Empire
A precise source has not yet been added. - MotherDocumented
Maria Theresa of Austria
The authority record identifies Maria Theresa of Austria (GND 118577867) as mother. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Louis XVI of France
The authority record identifies Louis XVI of France (GND 118574949) as spouse.
Biographical and contextual references (3)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
Follow this person through history
More paths from Marie Antoinette of Austria
Family
Francis I of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1708 – 1765
Maria Theresa of AustriaQueen / Archduchess1717 – 1780
Louis XVI of FranceKing of France · Titular king of Navarre1754 – 1793Same dynasty
Leopold II of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1747 – 1792
Joseph II of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1741 – 1790Ferdinand III of Tuscany · ESGrand duke1769 – 1824
Francis II of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1768 – 1835Maria Leopoldina of Austria · ESConsort1797 – 1826In their lifetime
Leopold II of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1747 – 1792Joseph II of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1741 – 1790Francis II of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1768 – 1835
Louis XV of France“the Beloved”King of France · Titular king of Navarre1710 – 1774Louis, Dauphin of France · ESPrince / Dauphin1729 – 1765Maria Josepha of Austria · ESConsort1699 – 1757