Marie Antoinette
Archduchess of Austria (non-ruling member of the dynasty); dauphine of France (1770–1774); queen of France (1775–1792)
Born in Vienna 2 November 1755
Died in Paris 16 October 1793
A Habsburg on France’s throne
Marie Antoinette, Maria Theresa’s youngest daughter, was married to the heir to the French throne, the future Louis XVI, in order to strengthen the new Habsburg-French alliance. She received a thorough education in preparation for her role as French queen. Her subjects regarded her as arrogant and profligate. After the outbreak of the French Revolution the royal family was caught trying to escape – Marie Antoinette was guillotined for high treason.
