Witness the Rise of an Empress on PASSPORT

• Khamelia Henderson
  BioRecent Stories

  

Witness the extraordinary story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Her majesty’s life is chronicled through the perspective of her closest confidants revealing a multi-layered woman with attitude, courage, and contradictions. Empress Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria evolves from a youthful teenager to an empowered ruler who transcends her life’s difficulties to live a life of freedom, self-confidence, and independence, no matter the price.

Elisabeth’s life as empress began with her first meeting emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. While mourning the death of her aunt, a fifteen-year-old Sisi accompanied her mother (Duchess Ludovika of Bavaria) and seventeen-year-old sister (Helene) in Bad Ischl for Helene to be presented to Franz Joseph as a marriage prospect. However, upon gazing at Sisi, Franz fell head over heels in love with the young girl. Two days after their first meeting Franz asked for her hand in marriage and eight months later, they married in Vienna.

While their courtship was short, the honeymoon period was even shorter. In fact, Franz spent his days working at his desk while Sisi cried out of frustration and sadness due to the strict protocols, duties, and ceremonies that now defined her life as empress. While she faced many restrictions from the imperial court, Sisi rebelled against this control through her free-spirit and independent nature. Find out how this unforgettable woman rose from sheltered young girl to a dynamic empress in this fantastic series.

Watch Season 1 and 2 of Sisi: Austrian Empress on WITF Passport or WITF App!

If you are not a WITF Passport member, become one today with a monthly donation of at least $5 or by making a one-time, annual gift of at least $60.

Your membership supports the news and education work that WITF offers its community every day. Plus, you’ll gain access to a growing catalog of quality dramas, history and science documentaries, and arts and culture shows.