Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi, was born on December 24, 1837, in Munich, Germany. She became the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary through her marriage to Franz Joseph I in 1854. Known for her beauty and free spirit, Elisabeth often struggled with the constraints of royal life and societal expectations. Elisabeth was deeply interested in poetry, travel, and physical fitness, often engaging in horseback riding and gymnastics. Her life was marked by personal tragedies, including the death of her son, Rudolf, and her assassination in 1898 by an Italian anarchist. Despite her challenges, she remains a fascinating historical figure.