Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria was born on August 21, 1858, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary. He was the only son of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth, making him the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Rudolf was known for his interest in politics, culture, and the arts, and he often expressed progressive views for his time. Tragically, Rudolf's life ended on January 30, 1889, in a mysterious incident at Mayerling, where he was found dead alongside his mistress, Mary Vetsera. His untimely death led to speculation and conspiracy theories, significantly impacting the Habsburg dynasty and the future of Austria-Hungary.