Background
Marie Louise was the daughter of Francis I, emperor of Austria, and of the princess Theresa of Naples, and was born on the 12th of December 1791.
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Marie Louise
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Marie Louise's disposition, fresh and natural but lacking the qualities that make for distinction, gave no promise of eminence until reasons of state brought Napoleon shortly after his divorce of Josephine to sue for her hand (see Napoleon and Josephine).
It is probable, though not quite certain, that the first suggestions as to this marriage alliance emanated secretly from the Austrian chancellor, Metternich.
The prince de Ligne claimed to have been instrumental in arranging it.
The new empress was escorted into France by Queen Caroline Murat, for whom she soon conceived a feeling of distrust.
His joy was complete when on the 20th of March 1811 she bore him a son who was destined to bear the empty titles of " king of Rome " and " Napoleon II. "
Before the campaign of 1812 she accompanied the emperor to Dresden; but after that scene of splendour misfortunes crowded upon Napoleon.
She, along with her son, was escorted into Austria by Count von Neipperg, and refused to comply with the entreaties and commands of Napoleon to proceed to Elba; and her alienation from him was completed when he ventured to threaten her with a forcible abduction if she did not obey.
During the Hundred Days she remained in Austria and manifested no desire for the success of Napoleon in France.
At the Congress of Vienna the Powers awarded to her and her son the duchies of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, in conformity with the terms of the treaty of Fontainebleau (March, 1814); in spite of the determined opposition of Louis XVIII she gained this right for herself owing largely to the support of the emperor Alexander, but she failed to make good the claims of her son to the inheritance.
. She proceeded alone to Parma, where she fell more and more under the influence of the count von Neipperg, and had to acquiesce in the title " duke of Reichstadt " accorded to her son.
Napoleon on the other hand spoke of her in his will with marked tenderness, and both excused and forgave her infidelity to him.
Her rule in Parma, conjointly with Neipperg, was characterized by a clemency and moderation which were lacking in the other Italian states in that time of reaction.
She preserved some of the Napoleonic laws and institutions; in 1817 she established the equality of women in heritage, and ordered the compilation of-MARIENBERGa civil code which was promulgated in January 1820.
On the death of Neipperg in 1829 his place was taken by Baron Werklein, whose influence was hostile to popular liberty.
Achievements
Connections
Marie Louise married twice after Napoleon's death in 1821. Her second husband was Count Adam Albert von Neipperg. They had three children. After Neipperg's death, she married Count Charles-René de Bombelles.
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Born
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Died
February 18, 1847 (aged 56) -
Nationality
Austria -
Ethnicity
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Religion
Catholic