Marie Antoinette is perhaps one of the most famous French Monarchs. Born an Austrian princess, married into the House of Bourbon, the last monarchs to rule French, Marie Antoinette has had a major impact on French History, most importantly, the French Revolution. .
Marie Antoinette was born Maria Antonia, daughter of the Austrian monarchs Francis I and Maria Theresa on November 2nd 1755. Maria Antonia lived a lavish life in the Austrian court. Her mother was a beloved monarch to Austria, sensitive to the people, and tried to raise all 16 of her children to be just as compassionate and intelligent. Maria Antonia was often in awe of her mother, and closer to her kind-hearted father. As a child, she was expected to be educated, but her education was not as emphasized as it may have been. Instead, the young princess enjoyed music, and had a talent at it. She often played duets with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the Austrian palace. The small princess was a beauty, and her parent's favorite child. She had a governess who watched over her when her parents were busy serving the Court, a governess who doted on little Maria and allowed her any fancy she wanted. It has been said that Maria Antonia had quite the temper, and if was not allowed her way, would throw fits until she was granted what she wanted. .
The Austrian Royal family was a loving and warm one, as Maria Theresa and Francis I married out of love rather than political alliances. The family was formal while in the Austrian Court, but quite informal and casual outside of it, when acting as a family. The life of Maria Antonia was deeply darkened when her father died at the age of 56 due to a stroke. Maria Theresa had been looking for awhile to strengthen ties with France, and found her chance with her youngest daughter. Maria Theresa proposed to King Louis XV of France that they betrothed Maria Antonia to the Dauphin, Louis-Auguste.
